June Birthstones - Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite

June Birthstones - Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite

The traditional birthstone for June is Alexandrite. Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl and displays a color change (alexandrite effect) dependent upon the nature of ambient lighting. Alexandrite results from small scale replacement of aluminium by chromium ions in the crystal structure, which causes intense absorption of light over a narrow range of wavelengths in the yellow region of the spectrum. Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia is green by daylight and red by incandescent light. Other varieties of alexandrite may be yellowish or pink in daylight and a columbine or raspberry red by incandescent light. The optimum or "ideal" color change would be fine emerald green to fine purplish red, but this is exceedingly rare. Because of their rarity and the color change capability, "ideal" alexandrite gems are some of the most expensive in the world.

The modern birthstones for June are the Moonstone and Pearl. Moonstone has a 6.0 hardness on the Mohs scale. Its name is derived from a visual effect, or sheen, caused by light reflecting internally in the moonstone from layer inclusion of different feldspars. Moonstone is feldspar with a pearly and opalescent luster.

Pearls have been highly valued since antiquity. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls (baroque pearls) occur. The value of the pearls in jewelry is determined by a combination of the luster, color, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry that are appropriate for the type of pearl under consideration. Among those attributes, luster is the most important determination of pearl quality according to jewelers. All factors being equal, however, the larger the pearl the more valuable it is. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Teardrop-shaped pearls are often used in pendants.

See more Moonstone, Pearl & Alexandrite here.

Earth Day a Beautiful Concept

The Silver Rose is going green in ways that contribute to a healthier and sustainable planet. We have recycle bins in our work place and actually right along side our desks. We support local and online green business. Our regard for the earth includes driving small light carbon foot print cars and Eco-friendly cleaning products.

We carry products that are environmentally friendly such as pearls, boxwood beads and bone. Pearls are a renewable resource easily grown and harvest by local people thus creating jobs in remote areas and an encouragement to keep local waterways clean and viable. Boxwood is a quick growing ornamental tree that also encourages good farming practices and respect for nature. Bone when used in carving uses all the parts of the animals thus cutting back on waste. Turning something into a work of art that would generally be thrown on to a waste pile.

It has been a turn around to look back on how earth friendly has taken on new meaning and given respect where once we earth lovers were called tree-huggers and looked on as a rather second class citizen and just not too bright. Now it's seen as the right thing to do. This is a change I love to see!

Please look around you and see all the ways that you are helping keep our planet healthier and thus more sustainable for those that follow and give yourself a great big hug.

Sylvia C. Rose-Johnson ES

Pearl Luster

Pearl Luster

What makes so pearls so beautiful to the eye with those lovely swirling colors of the rainbow?

Mollusks lay down minute layers of crystals to make the object implanted inthem by nature of man more comfortable. As the layers are put down the crystals are of various heights thus reflecting the light back to the eye of the beholder in assorted colors. The assorted levels of the crystals returns the viewed light as all the colors of the rainbow withthe added silky texture that makes pearls a treasure of nature without equal. Enjoy them, use them lavishly in your designs and lets them amaze you with the silky healing energy.

 See my favorite Pearls here.