Throughout history, pearls have been a prized gem around the world and, since the birthstone for June is the pearl, The Passionate Collector (www.thepassionatecollector.com) features a variety of pearl jewelry as the perfect gift for June birthdays, brides, bridal parties, and graduations.

ThePassionateCollector.com is an online boutique of jewelry and accessories handpicked for their originality and affordability. Owner Susan Shieldkret holds a Graduate Diploma in Pearls and a Certificate in Jewelry Essentials from the Gemological Institute of America.

"Pearls make a classic and treasured gift," says Shieldkret. "My suggestions for wedding and graduation gifts this June include necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings featuring a variety of pearls I've selected for their uniqueness and beauty." To help you feel more confident when buying pearls, Shieldkret shares this information:

"Natural vs. Cultured Pearls -- When a pearl is formed naturally, without human intervention, we call this a natural pearl. Natural pearls are very rare today. Most of these are sold at auction and in estate jewelry. When pearls are made with human intervention (by inserting a bead nucleus or a piece of tissue that will then be covered with nacre inside the mollusk's mantle organ), we call this a cultured pearl. Most pearls on the market today are cultured pearls. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have very famous brand names -- like Mikimoto -- named after the man who created the first viable pearl culturing company in Japan.

Different Mollusks, Different Pearls -- Mollusks come in different shapes and sizes, too, and that's what helps create different pearls. It stands to reason that the bigger the oyster or mussel, the bigger the pearl can be.

To become more "pearl savvy," see Shieldkret's informative description of the different types of pearls available (e.g., Tahitian, freshwater, cultured vs. natural, mother-of-pearl, etc.) and the key value factors that affect quality and pricing at: http://www.thepassionatecollector.com/pearls_faq.php.

Shieldkret recommends the following special items for people looking to buy pearls for themselves or as gifts:

A natural for brides and graduates, the White Pearls on Silver Necklace ($75) is made of numerous 7-7.5mm white teardrop pearls within a sterling cable chain. It is 16.5 inches long with a 2-inch drop. The White Gold Threaded Baroque Pearl Earrings are elegant and versatile, featuring white 18mm x 11.5mm freshwater baroque pearls on a 14K white gold thread. They are 2.5-inches long ($355). For a really special gift, consider the South Sea Golden Pearl Ring ($835). The luminous South Sea golden pearl is 11mm and set among diamonds in 18K white gold.

Then, choose from a panoply of natural and cultured pearls in a wide price range at www.thepassionatecollector.com, or call The Passionate Collector at 949-644-2246.