Find out about pearls - the birthstone of june - and see why it's such a loved material.

You may know what your birthstone is but do you know the significance that comes along with it? If you were born in the month of June then your birthstone is Pearl. The ancients thought that Pearl has truth and beauty properties.

It is now known that Greeks actually thought that pearls were the toughened tears of joy that the Love Goddess shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. Arab legend says that pearls were made when oysters were lured up from the depths of the ocean by the moon and was then swallowed moonlit dew drops.

Pearl is also normally known as the anniversary gem stone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage. For centuries pearls have been found on crowns, jewelry, clothing, and temples. They were even known to be beloved of Cleopatra. They are simple enough to be given to young girls and are a regular gift for a first communion.

The best pearls come in a variety of colors that span from delicate rose white to darkest black. When it comes to pearls, the higher the luster or orients the more precious it is. It may be hard to envisage that these desirable treasures come naturally from the mollusk, but it does.

Deep sea divers seek out natural pearls in The Persian Gulf as well as the waters off Japan, the South Pacific Islands off northern Australia, and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and California.

Other than the normal round shaped pearls usually seen, there are also large hemispherical cultured pearls known as mabe. These fresh water pearls are elongated in many interesting shapes and colors. The South Sea cultured pearls can grow upwards of 10mm.

There was a time when only those with majestic status could sport something as precious as pearl jewelry, but these days they are seen on people from all over the world. Pearls are an ideal gift for anybody of any age.