Colors
- White
- Cream
- Pink
- Peach
- Lavender
- Gold
- Green
- Blue
- Gray
- Purple
- Black
Browse other gems by color: White and colorless · Pink · Black · Yellow
Where Pearl comes from
- Grown inside mollusks; most pearls sold today are cultured
Pearl meaning and history
Pearls were once considered more valuable than gold.
They were worn by royalty and linked to wealth, purity and status.
Meanings and powers attributed to gems are history and folklore. We report them; we do not claim a stone can do anything.
How hard is Pearl?
Pearl is 2.5 on the Mohs scale, where talc is 1, quartz 7 and diamond 10. Toughness, its resistance to chipping and breaking: usually good, but age, drying out and heavy bleaching can make pearls fragile.
See every birthstone on the hardness chart
How to clean and care for Pearl
| Warm soapy water | Safe for occasional cleaning |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Never |
| Steam cleaner | Never |
Heat, light and chemicals: High heat can burn or crack them; damaged by acids and by hair spray, perfume, cosmetics and perspiration.
Wipe pearls with a very soft cloth after each wear.
If they are strung, let the string dry completely before wearing.
Treatments to ask about
May be dyed, impregnated or coated; these treatments can change over time.
Can you wear Pearl every day?
Delicate Soft or easily damaged. Best for pendants, earrings and occasional wear. Check other stones.
Compare Pearl
Pearl vs Alexandrite · Pearl vs Moonstone
Frequently asked questions
What is Pearl?
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.
What month is Pearl the birthstone for?
June. It shares the month with Alexandrite and Moonstone.
How hard is Pearl?
2.5 on the Mohs scale. Toughness: usually good, but age, drying out and heavy bleaching can make pearls fragile.
How do you clean Pearl?
Warm soapy water: safe for occasional cleaning. Ultrasonic cleaner: never. Steam: never.
What does Pearl symbolize?
Pearls were once considered more valuable than gold. They were worn by royalty and linked to wealth, purity and status. These are traditions and history, not claims about what the stone can do.
Sources
- GIA: Pearl care and cleaning (hardness, toughness, stability, cleaning, treatments)
- AGS: Pearl (what it is, colors, sources, history)
- American Gem Society: Birthstones (birthstone months)
Checked October 16, 2026.