The June birthstone, pearl, has long been a symbol of purity. 

The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy from Aphrodite, the goddess of love. 

The value of the pearls in jewellery is determined by a combination of the luster, colour, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry that are appropriate for the type of pearl under consideration. 

Among those attributes, luster is the most important differentiator of pearl quality according to jewellery makers. 

Pearls can be set into most kinds of jewellery, so they are very accessible and easy to wear. 

There are our picks of our favourites; both on famous pearl wearers, and for more reasonably priced budgets.......