For a full explanation on birthstones and their importance, go to gemstone.org. In the current fashion someone born in June has pearl, moonstone and Alexandrite as the three types of stone. In Hebrew or Roman times it would be emerald, and it would be agate in Polish or Russian. It is said, as referred to at galleries.com, that each gem stands for different attributes: Pearl is for modesty, purity, beauty and happiness; moonstone stands for balance, good fortune and tender passion; and Alexandrite stands for joy and confidence as well as balance. Historically, pearls have been used as an adornment for centuries. They were one of the favourite gem materials of the Roman Empire; later in Tudor England, the 1500s were known as the pearl age. Pearls are unique as they are the only gems from living sea creatures and require no faceting or polishing to reveal their natural beauty. In the early 1900s, the first successful commercial culturing of round saltwater pearls began. Alexandrite was first discovered in Russia in 1831 during the reign of its namesake, Tsar Alexander II, and is an extremely rare chrysoberyl with chameleon-like qualities; it changes color from green to a purplish red in incandescent light. Due to its rarity, some jewellers stock synthetic versions of this enchanting gemstone. Moonstone was given its name by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone's appearance altered with the phases of the moon, a belief that held until well after the sixteenth century. Considered a sacred stone in India, they are believed to encapsulate within the stone a spirit whose purpose is to bring good fortune. Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from Aaron's breastplate. He was the Chief Priest, and brother of Moses, whose item had twelve gemstones. Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different birth stone lists.
