June is synonymous with so many pleasant things, like long warm summer days, backyard barbecues and lounging on the beach or at the pool. For those born in June the beautiful and elegant pearl, the birthstone of June, is also at the forefront of their minds. Different from other gemstones, pearls are not cut or polished; instead they are created underwater in oysters, mussels and clams. As birthstones.com explains, “The scientific explanation for natural pearls is almost as mystifying as folklore.  When an irritant, such as a small parasite or a fish lodges in the flesh of an oyster, mussel, or clam, a protective substance called "nacre" is produced.  Over years, layer upon layer of shimmering nacre coats the intruder, creating a lustrous pearl.  Natural pearls are relatively rare, so a process evolved in which a piece of shell or bead was placed inside a mollusk to stimulate the production of nacre.  This results in a cultured pearl, which accounts for about 90 per cent of the pearl industry.” Greg Anthony Designs Artform Marcasite & Mother Of Pearl Ring at VanScoy. The “Queen of Gems,” as the pearl is nicknamed, comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, pink, gray and yellow. Traditionally, only royalty wore pearls, but that is not the case today. “Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry, but eventually these gems were seen among all classes of people.  They continue to be viewed as a mark of taste and refinement as well as a symbol of purity, and they are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.  Pearls are nature's perfect gift, suitable for all ages, and elegantly worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown,” according to birthstones.com. Most cultured pearls are found in the coastal waters of Japan and Australia. Though for those divers seeking their own treasures, pearls can also be found in the Persian Gulf and the coasts of Panama, Venezuela and California. You can find a wide variety of pearl rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets at VanScoy Jewelers. Honora Pearl Necklace Honora Pearl Earrings