Birthstone Rosaries: Pearls or Alexandrite for June

Freshwater Pearl Rosary

This is intended to be the first of a monthly series on traditional birthstones as they can be used in rosaries.

The traditional birthstone for June is the pearl, though the alexandrite is also sometimes used. The most valuable pearls are natural, created by salt-water oysters, perfectly round and colored pure white or black. These are rare and have been prized throughout the ages and in all cultures.

Everywhere, pearls represent purity, innocence, and integrity. In the book of Revelations, the Gates of Heaven are made of pearls. The pearl is the national gemstone of Saudi Arabia, France, the Philippines, and India. They are the traditional birthstone for June and are given as gifts for the thirtieth wedding anniversary as well as for First Communion.

Most pearls today are “cultured;” that is, a small irritant is inserted within the shell of the oyster creating the pearl. Freshwater pearls are the product of a small mussel. Very fine cultured pearls are available, and they carry a heavy price tag. Cultured pearls of inferior quality have only a thin layer of nacre (the substance secreted by the oyster) over a large piece of the irritant material. These will wear out quickly.

Pearls are soft and fragile, requiring special care if used in a rosary. They will retain their beauty and luster if they’re frequently and carefully handled. (Not a bad idea for beads used in prayer, right?) They need to be stored so that they don’t bash into sharp objects, like the keys in a purse. That goes for their fixtures–cross or crucifix and medal–so fold them up carefully when not in use.

The other June birthstone, the alexandrite, has an interesting personal association for me. I have a lovely alexandrite ring, a long-ago gift. It’s characteristic of this stone to change color depending on its surroundings, turning blue-green in daylight, purple in incandescent light. I had long thought that alexandrite was a semi-precious stone.

I learned that I was wrong–very wrong. Alexandrites are one of the “fabulous” stones, the equal of fine diamonds or rubies. That made me quit wearing my ring while I wondered what to do. I next learned that synthetic alexandrite is very easy to distinguish from the real stuff. Examining it under magnification reveals little round bubbles, invisible to the naked eye, that are left over from the manufacturing process. With a bit of trepidation, I took my ring to a jeweler, who quickly informed me that my retirement wasn’t settled quite yet. Looking on the bright side, I can still enjoy my very pretty ring without needing armed bodyguards when I wear it.

While not many of us will be making or praying with alexandrite rosaries, there are a great many affordable, even inexpensive, equivalents. Swarovski makes a beautiful alexandrite crystal. You can also find very pretty Czech firepolish beads in a similar color family. Many have been manufactured to exhibit some of the color changes of the real stone. Their overall effect is not gaudy at all but quiet and pleasing–a lovely and affordable effect for rosary beads.

(For all who may have read the blog post late last week, I have very sad news. Phoenix, the little pit bull who was so badly burned, has lost her fight for life. Her kidneys began to fail, and her veterinarians wisely decided that her pain was too great for her. She was put to sleep over the weekend, having known some human compassion and love, even if for only a few days.)

Tags: alexandrite, cultured pearls, czech beads, freshwater pearls, gemstones, pearls, prayer beads, rosary beads, rosary making, rosary making hints, swarovski, synthetic alexandrite