How Pearl and Moonstone differ in what they are, color, hardness and care.
| Pearl | Moonstone | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An organic gem formed inside a mollusk as layers of nacre build up around an irritant. Pearls are not mined or cut, and most are cultured with human help. | A feldspar gem known for adularescence, a floating glow that moves as you turn it. |
| Birthstone for | June | June |
| Colors | White; Cream; Pink; Peach; Lavender; Gold; Green; Blue; Gray; Purple; Black | White or colorless with a soft blue sheen (most common); Rainbow, with flashes of blue and other colors; Peach and gray |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 | 6 to 6.5 |
| Toughness | Usually good, but age, drying out and heavy bleaching can make pearls fragile. | Poor. It has two cleavage directions, so a hard blow can break it; it is usually set in pendants, earrings and pins rather than rings. |
| Everyday wear | Delicate | Delicate |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Never | Never |
| Main sources | Grown inside mollusks; most pearls sold today are cultured | Not stated |
| Common treatments | May be dyed, impregnated or coated; these treatments can change over time. | Not stated |
Moonstone is the harder of the two (6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale). Both are June birthstones, so either makes a fitting gift. Choose by the color you love and how the piece will be worn; for a ring worn every day, the tougher stone will last better.
Sources: GIA: Pearl care and cleaning, AGS: Pearl, GIA: Moonstone care and cleaning, AGS: Moonstone. Checked October 16, 2026.
Birthstone of the month
On the first of each month: that month's birthstone, what it means and how to care for it.
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