June Birthstone: Pearl

The Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born from the foam of the sea. As she rose from the ocean, glistening drops of water slid from her body, and transformed into lustrous pearls. In antiquity, pearls were coveted, especially by young brides, as they would protect them from disappointment and tears. In the crown of a king, they stood for strength and power, and philosophers looked for “pearls of wisdom”. The demand in Rome was even higher than in Greece, and as a result, they were extremely valuable. A Roman general once financed his military campaign by selling just one of his mother’s earrings. And when Cleopatra promised Marc Anthony the most expensive diner ever, she dissolved an earring in vinegar and served it as an appetizer. Pearls are classified according to luster, complexion, shape, colour and size. But that’s all about appearance. Pearls are useful too, albeit that their specific healing power – avoiding belly bloat – comes accross as somewhat trivial. As the birthstone of June, they will connect you to your inner wisdom, and to a divine feminine energy, enhancing spirituality and focus.

Aphrodite, fresco Pompeï, Italy

Cleopatra and the Pearl, De Lairesse, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, The Netherlands