June is graced by two captivating birthstones: the elusive alexandrite and the luminous moonstone. Each gemstone carries its own tale of formation, allure, and symbolism. Either is a unique choice for a custom Anouk Jewelry piece celebrating the birth month of June.
Alexandrite: The Colour-Changing Wonder
Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl. It formed deep within the Earth’s crust under high pressure and temperature. Its most enchanting feature is its ability to change color depending on the light source. In daylight, it appears green to bluish-green; under incandescent light, it shifts to red to purplish-red. Just look at this magical gemstone in our Vintage Rosetta ring turning from green to purple!
This captivating transformation has earned it a place in fine jewelry, especially in custom pieces and unique engagement rings like our Rhea Engagement Ring featuring a 3/4 ct alexandrite in a halo of accent diamonds.
With a Mohs hardness of 8.5, alexandrite is durable enough for daily wear. It’s not as tough as sapphires or diamonds, so we do advise taking care to prevent scratches. Its unique colour-changing property make alexandrite a symbol of balance and adaptability. Because of their rarity, alexandrites are pricey – but oh so worth it!
Moonstone: The Ethereal Glow
Moonstone, a variety of feldspar, is celebrated for its adularescence—a soft, glowing light that seems to emanate from within the stone. Formed when two different types of feldspar crystallize together, moonstone’s shimmering effect is a result of light scattering between the layers. This ethereal glow has made it a favourite in jewelry, that seek to capture its mystical allure.
We’ve recently created the four custom necklaces below, for four family members, each set with a moonstone. With a Mohs hardness of 6 to 6.5, moonstone is softer than some other gemstones. Therefore, it is more susceptible to scratches. For that reason, we prefer setting moonstones in our custom earrings or necklaces, instead of rings.
Moonstone’s unique beauty and associations with love, intuition, and new beginnings make it a meaningful choice for special occasions.
So if you have a June-baby in your life, consider gifting a piece of jewelry with an alexandrite or a moonstone. Drop us a line, we’ll be happy to design a custom piece just for them!