Moonstone Meaning: June Birthstone Jewellery and Care

June has three birthstones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Pearl is an organic gem grown inside a mollusc, moonstone is a feldspar mineral with a moving sheen, and alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl that changes colour with the light. This guide compares the two that appear most often in silver jewellery, pearl and moonstone, and sets out how to choose between them.

Moonstone's soft, shifting glow makes it a distinctive choice for jewellery with personal meaning. It is one of June's birthstones, alongside pearl and alexandrite, as listed in GIA's June birthstone guide.

The three June birthstones in one line each

• Pearl: an organic gem made of nacre, usually white or cream, with a soft surface lustre.
• Moonstone: a feldspar, translucent to milky, with a sheen that seems to float across the stone.
• Alexandrite: a variety of chrysoberyl that looks green in daylight and red to purple under incandescent light.

What gives moonstone its glow?

Moonstone belongs to the feldspar family. Its characteristic floating sheen is called adularescence: light appears to move across the stone as the viewing angle changes. Look through the product photographs to see the colour, setting and proportions of each design.

What a pearl is

A pearl is not a mineral. It forms inside a mollusc, which coats an irritant with layer upon layer of nacre. Those layers give a pearl its lustre, the soft reflection that appears to sit just below the surface. Because nacre is far softer than most gemstones, a pearl needs gentler handling than almost any other stone in a jewellery box.

Moonstone meaning and symbolism

Stories have connected moonstone with the moon, love and good fortune. These are cultural associations, rather than evidence that wearing a gemstone changes health or wellbeing. You might choose it to mark a birthday, an anniversary or a new chapter, or simply because you enjoy its appearance.

Pearl is traditionally associated with purity and wisdom, and it is the traditional gift for a thirtieth wedding anniversary. As with moonstone, these are traditions to enjoy, not claims about what a gem can do.

Pearl and moonstone compared

	Pearl	Moonstone
What it is	An organic gem formed in a mollusc	A mineral of the feldspar family
Colour and look	Usually white or cream, opaque, with a soft surface lustre	Colourless to milky, often translucent, with a floating sheen (adularescence) that can show a blue flash
Mohs hardness	About 2.5 to 4.5	About 6 to 6.5
Everyday wear	Scratches easily; best suited to necklaces and earrings, or to rings and bracelets worn with care	Harder than pearl, but can chip or crack if knocked; suits regular wear with some care
Care	Wipe with a soft damp cloth after wear; put on last, after perfume and cosmetics	Clean briefly with warm soapy water and a soft cloth; avoid knocks and sudden temperature changes
Traditional association	Purity and wisdom	The moon, love and good fortune

The Mohs scale measures resistance to scratching, from 1 for talc to 10 for diamond. The gap between the two stones matters in practice: a pearl can be marked by other jewellery in the same box, while moonstone resists light scratches better but is still softer than stones such as sapphire or topaz.

Choosing between pearl and moonstone as a gift

Both stones are correct for a June birthday, so the choice comes down to the wearer.

• Colour: pearl is white and even, and sits quietly with most clothes. Moonstone changes as it moves, which suits someone who likes a stone with some play of light.
• Type of jewellery: a necklace or pair of earrings takes fewer knocks than a ring or bracelet, so pearl is at its safest there. For a bracelet or cuff that will be worn often, moonstone is the more forgiving stone.
• Habits: someone who takes jewellery off before washing, exercising or applying perfume will manage either stone. For someone who rarely takes a piece off, moonstone is the lower-risk choice, although it still should not be worn in water.
• Occasion: pearl has long been worn at weddings and anniversaries. Moonstone reads as less formal and works well for everyday wear.
• Sizing: necklaces, earrings and most bracelets need no measuring, which makes them easier to give as a surprise than a ring.

Choosing moonstone jewellery

Start with the kind of piece the wearer already enjoys. A bracelet can sit alongside an existing watch or favourite chain; earrings frame the face without needing a ring size. Check the measurements, metal finish and fastening on the individual product page before ordering.

• Harmony Moonstone Chain Bracelet: explore a chain bracelet design with a moonstone accent.
• Soap And Bubble Moonstone Silver Earrings: discover the sculptural silver design and check its dimensions.
• Soap And Bubble Moonstone Silver Pendant: view the pendant details and chain options before choosing.

Product pages show current prices and availability. For a June birthday, you can also compare our June Pearl Birthstone Ring; use the ring size guide if you are considering a ring. You can also browse the full birthstone rings collection.

More moonstone pieces from Golden Horn

Alongside the pieces above, these moonstone designs are made in 925 sterling silver.

• Triple Moonstone Dome Silver Cuff Bracelet: moonstones set in 925 sterling silver, each showing a blue flash as it catches the light.
• Helen Caramel Moonstone Bracelet: moonstone and opal at the centre with aqeeq at the sides, in 925 sterling silver with 18k gold-plated silver details; it weighs about 23.5 g.
• Aegean Nights Multi Gemstone Drop Earrings: moonstone with blue and red chalcedony in graduating sizes, set in 925 sterling silver with 18k gold-plated hooks.

How to care for moonstone

Moonstone can be damaged by knocks and sudden temperature changes. GIA recommends warm soapy water for cleaning the stone and advises against ultrasonic or steam cleaners. The metal finish and setting also matter, so follow the care advice for your particular piece and ask us if you are unsure.

Caring for pearls

Put pearls on last, after perfume, hairspray and cosmetics have dried, and take them off first. Wipe them with a soft damp cloth after wearing and let them dry before putting them away. Keep them apart from other jewellery, in a soft pouch or a separate compartment, so that harder stones and metal edges cannot scratch them.

Care that applies to both stones

• Do not soak either stone, and do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.
• Take jewellery off before swimming, showering, washing up or exercising.
• Keep both away from household cleaners and from direct heat.
• Store each piece separately so that it cannot rub against another.

Read GIA's moonstone care guidance and our jewellery care guide. For help choosing a gift or caring for a Golden Horn piece, contact us.

June birthstone questions

Is moonstone a June birthstone?

Yes. June has three birthstones: pearl, moonstone and alexandrite. Any of the three is a correct choice for a June birthday.

Which is more durable, pearl or moonstone?

Moonstone. It measures about 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, against about 2.5 to 4.5 for pearl, so it resists scratches better. It can still chip or crack if knocked, so neither stone should be treated as hard-wearing.

Can pearl or moonstone jewellery be worn in water?

It is better not to. Take both off before showering, swimming or washing up. Neither stone should be soaked, and soap, chlorine and cleaning products can dull a pearl's surface.

Can pearl and moonstone be worn together?

Yes. The two are close in colour, and pearl's even lustre sits well beside moonstone's moving sheen. Store them separately afterwards, because moonstone and metal settings are hard enough to scratch a pearl.