June Birthstones: Moonstone & Pearl

Enthusiasts

June Birthstones: Moonstone & Pearl

Isadoras

June is almost here, and now is the perfect time to celebrate the lovely birthstones that represent this warm and sunny summer month – pearl and moonstone.

Both of these gems are truly lustrous and luminous and evoke a magical, ethereal feeling augmented by their rich history.

Pearls have long been desired by cultures around the world. In the Roman Empire, these “jewels of the sea” were a luxurious status symbol; in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries pearls adorned lavish pieces that were often displayed in a provocative manner; later the gems embellished sentimental nineteenthcentury jewelry, expressing love or sometimes grief.

For decades, the pearl strand has been a classic, whether worn traditionally, or with unexpected panache.

pearl instructions

The versatility of pearls cannot be denied. They are fun and funky, classy and chic.

pearls on jacket and coco chanel

We love to see pearls played out in dramatic fashion as in the amazing statement cocktail ring below.

pearl cocktail ring

Or, mixed and matched. Pearls look stunning paired with other gems and bright colors.

pearl rings mix and match

The antique pearl jewelry at Isadoras is truly exquisite – rare, distinctive pieces that we hold dear as an integral part of the pearl’s enduring mystery and grace.

Moonstones are just as ephemeral and graceful.

Thousands of years ago, it was believed that moonstones were crystallized from the light of celestial bodies, or that rays of the moon were embodied in the very essence of the stones.

The moonstone hosts a myriad of meanings – it was believed that the stone brought good fortune, enhanced passion, balanced yin and yang, and not only strengthened intuition, but increased the capacity for understanding. Some Victorians believed that if you gave someone a piece of moonstone jewelry, you could control the wearer’s heart.

All of these layers of meaning are fantastic, but the moonstone’s visual beauty is the most charismatic of all – a beauty that fascinated the famous Art Nouveau French Master Renee Lalique, who featured the moonstone prominently in many of his most beautiful pieces.

A perfect example is Lalique’s Dragonfly Woman corsage ornament. Made of gold, enamel, chrysoprase, moonstones, and diamonds, 1897 – 1898.

lalique dragonfly woman

Henry Wilson, an accomplished Arts and Crafts jewelry designer, loved to use the simple polished stone. Below is buckle and belt tag made in silver and adorned with cabochon-cut moonstones, which according to Wilson preserve their “mysterious magical quality” in lieu of faceted and geometric gems.

c1905 Henry Wilson Moonstone-belt-buckle

Whether set in necklaces, earrings, or rings, vintage moonstones captivate.

moonstone earrings, rings, necklace

The innate beauty of pearls and moonstones has fascinated jewelry lovers for centuries; each generation has discovered a new way to wear and enjoy these fantastic pieces.

Find all of our lovely pieces online, or visit our store for a personal viewing of Isadoras' amazing heirloom collection of antique and vintage jewelry.

Shop our vintage pearl collection!

Below are just a few of our favorite vintage pearl pieces.

pearl-gold-rings-pendants