Gift Guide
May Birthstone: Emerald Meaning, Color and Gift Ideas
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May's birthstone is emerald. Here is what emerald means, why it is prized for its green, how to care for it, and how to choose a May birthday gift.
Birthstone edit
May's birthstone is the green of new growth.
Emerald has been prized for thousands of years for its deep, vivid green. It suits a spring birthday perfectly and remains one of the most recognizable gems in the world.
Answer key: May's birthstone is emerald, a green variety of beryl traditionally linked with renewal, love and wisdom
This guide covers the gemstones themselves. North & Pearl birth-month pieces use a color accent inspired by each month rather than natural gemstones, so check each product page for its material. To shop, browse our birthstone jewelry.
Quick Answer: What Is the Birthstone for May?
May's birthstone is emerald, a green variety of beryl colored by traces of chromium and vanadium. It is May's only birthstone on the modern US list. Emerald is traditionally associated with rebirth, love and wisdom, fitting for a spring month, and it is the gem for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries. Although emerald rates about 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, most stones contain natural inclusions that make them more prone to chipping than their hardness suggests.
May's single birthstone on the modern list.
Colored by chromium and vanadium.
Inclusions make emerald more fragile than its hardness suggests.
Key Takeaways
- Emerald is May's only birthstone on the modern US list.
- It is a green variety of beryl, the same family as aquamarine.
- Emerald is traditionally linked with rebirth, love and wisdom.
- Most emeralds contain inclusions, sometimes called jardin, from the French for garden.
- It is the gem for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
What Is Emerald?
Emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl. Its color comes from traces of chromium and vanadium. Colombia is the most famous source, and emeralds are also mined in Zambia, Brazil and elsewhere.
Nearly all emeralds contain inclusions, the tiny internal features gemologists call jardin, French for garden. They are expected in emerald and are one reason the stones are commonly treated with oil to improve clarity.
What Does Emerald Mean?
Emerald's green has made it a symbol of spring, renewal and growth. It has also been associated with love, loyalty and wisdom. Cleopatra is often said to have favored emeralds, and the stone has long been linked with royalty.
These meanings are cultural traditions rather than proven effects. For how birthstone meanings developed, see our origin of birthstones guide.
Gifting note
A spring green for a May birthday.
A small green accent reads fresh and seasonal. It is an easy way to reference emerald in an everyday piece.
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Emerald at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Month | May |
| Mineral | Beryl |
| Color | Bluish green to pure green |
| Mohs hardness | About 7.5 to 8, but inclusions reduce toughness |
| Meanings | Rebirth, love, wisdom |
| Anniversaries | 20th and 35th |
See how May fits among the other months in our birthstone chart.
Does May Have Two Birthstones?
On the modern US list, May has only one birthstone: emerald. Some alternative and historical lists mention stones such as chrysoprase or agate, but these are not part of the standard modern chart.
Caring for Emerald and Choosing a May Gift
- Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals with emerald; warm soapy water and a soft brush are safer.
- Choose a protective setting for rings, since emerald can chip if knocked.
- A green accent pendant or earrings make an easy, low-risk May gift.
- For more spring gift ideas, see our birthday jewelry gift ideas.
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May birthstone gift ideas
Double Heart Birth Month Ring
A double-heart ring with a birth-month color accent.
$59.00
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Baguette Birthstone Necklace
A minimal baguette pendant; select May for a green accent.
$69.00
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Family Birthstone Open Ring
An open ring that can combine several birth months.
$59.00
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Heart Birthstone Pendant Necklace
A delicate heart pendant available in every month color.
$49.00
View piece
Birth-month pieces use a color accent inspired by each month, not natural emerald. Check each product page for its material and options.
FAQ
What are the two birthstones for May?
May has only one birthstone on the modern US list: emerald. Some alternative lists mention chrysoprase or agate.
Who should not wear an emerald?
There is no gemological reason anyone cannot wear emerald. Restrictions come from astrology and belief systems, which vary.
What gem is considered bad luck?
Opal is the stone most often linked with bad luck, a superstition popularized by an 1829 Walter Scott novel. Most people today see it as a lucky stone.
Which finger should an emerald ring go on?
Any finger works. Some astrology traditions recommend the little finger, but this is a belief rather than a rule.
Is emerald durable enough for daily wear?
It is fairly hard but often included, so it can chip. A protective setting and gentle care help.
Related Guides
- March Birthstone: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
- July Birthstone: Ruby
- Birthstone Chart by Month
- The Rarest and Most Expensive Birthstones
Planning a May birthday gift?
Shop Birthstone JewelryFinal Buying Note
Emerald is May's only birthstone, and its green is the color of spring. Choose a style that protects the piece, and pick a shade the person will love.
