The arrival of May marks the beginning of a vibrant and passionate summer. So, what gemstone should we use to celebrate this month? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the May birthstone, shall we?
Table Of Contents:
- What is the May Birthstone?
- May Birthstone History & Origin
- May Birthstone Symbolism
- May Birthstone Metaphysical Energy
- May Birthstone Color
- May Birthstone Durability
- Where to Find the May Birthstone?
- May Birthstone Value
- May Birthstone Cleaning & Care
- FAQs About the May Birthstone
What is the May Birthstone?
The May birthstone is the king of emeralds—Emerald. Whether it’s the rich and dynamic green, reminiscent of fresh spring leaves or the quiet beauty of summer forests, or its symbolism of life, hope, and eternity, the emerald perfectly captures the essence of May. It’s as if nature itself crafted this gem specifically for the month of May, making it the most treasured protective stone for those born during this time.
May Birthstone History & Origin
The history of emeralds spans thousands of years. Its name originates from the ancient Persian word “Zumurud,” which evolved into the Latin word “smaragdus,” and eventually became “Emerald.” Ancient Egypt was one of the first regions to mine emeralds, and Queen Cleopatra even claimed ownership of an emerald mine, using it to create amulets and burial items. Since the 16th century, the Muzo mine in Colombia has been synonymous with top-tier emeralds, prized for their distinctive “oil drop effect” (Gota de Aceite), often referred to as “velvety green” and highly sought after by royalty and celebrities alike.
As one of the four precious gemstones, emerald’s connection to May can be traced back to the twelve stones on the breastplate of the High Priest mentioned in the Bible—emerald was one of them. If you delve into astrology books or explore historical traditions, you’ll find that emeralds and May have always shared an intricate bond, almost as if emeralds were destined to be the birthstone for this month.
In 1912, JA(Jewelers of America) established the modern list of birthstones, and at that moment, emerald was crowned the exclusive May birthstone. In addition, emerald is also the 20th, 35th, and 55th wedding anniversary gemstone.
May Birthstone Symbolism
Emeralds carry rich cultural symbolism:
- Love and Loyalty: In ancient Rome, emeralds were considered the gemstone of Venus, the goddess of love. Romans believed it could reveal a lover’s loyalty, and the Duke of Windsor even used an emerald ring as an engagement token.
- Hope and Rebirth: The vibrant green of emeralds represents the revival of spring, symbolizing vitality and abundance.
- Wisdom and Protection: Medieval Europeans believed that emeralds could ward off evil and poison, and were said to give the wearer prophetic abilities.
May Birthstone Metaphysical Energy
Emeralds are attributed with several spiritual benefits:
- Healing Properties: Traditional medicine believed emeralds could detoxify, reduce fevers, alleviate eye fatigue, and even calm emotional fluctuations.
- Energy Purification: Its green light is thought to balance the heart chakra, promoting emotional harmony and creativity.
- Physical Healing: It is believed that this gemstone can aid in physical recovery, particularly for the heart, lungs, and immune system.
May Birthstone Color
The rich green color is the most striking feature of emeralds. The green comes from the elements chromium and vanadium, and the color ranges from light green to the deep, vibrant “Vivid Green”. High-quality emeralds display a vibrant and full color, with a perfect balance of hue, saturation, and tone. The “Muzo Green” from Colombia, known for its high saturation and slight bluish tint, is regarded as the color benchmark.
May Birthstone Durability
With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, emeralds are relatively scratch-resistant. However, due to their brittleness and tendency to have many inclusions (99% of natural emeralds contain inclusions, which gemologists refer to as “jardin”), they are more susceptible to breaking or cracking if not properly cared for.
Where to Find the May Birthstone?
May birthstone emeralds are found worldwide, with notable sources including Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. Here are some key characteristics of emeralds from these regions:
- Colombia: Known for the Muzo and Chivor mines, Colombian emeralds are prized for their pure color and “three-phase inclusions”, and are the highest in market value.
- Zambia: These emeralds tend to have a more grayish-blue hue but are higher in clarity. In recent years, their quality has approached that of Colombian emeralds.
- Brazil and Afghanistan: Brazilian emeralds tend to be smaller crystals, while Afghanistan’s Panjshir mines produce rare, high-quality emeralds due to the difficulty of mining.
May Birthstone Value
Like many gemstones, the value of May birthstone emeralds is determined by the 4Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. In addition, factors such as the gemstone’s origin and whether it has been treated also influence its value.
- Color and Clarity: The more vibrant the color and the fewer inclusions, the higher the value. Top-tier “Vivid Green” emeralds can reach tens of thousands of dollars per carat, and those with high clarity and no oil treatment are particularly rare.
- Origin and Carat Weight: A high-quality 1-carat Colombian emerald can be valued at around $10,000, with some reaching several hundred thousand dollars per carat. Emeralds over 5 carats increase in price exponentially.
- Cut: A well-cut emerald enhances its beauty and increases its value.
- Treatment: Emeralds that are oil-free or have not undergone color enhancement treatments can be 30% to 50% more expensive. (Note: Oil filling is a common optimization method used to fill natural cracks in emeralds, and this practice is widely accepted in the industry.)
Read our emerald jewelry buying guide to learn more!
May Birthstone Cleaning & Care
- Cleaning Method: Clean only with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid using ultrasonic or steam cleaners, as they can cause the resin filling to leach out.
- Storage Suggestions: Store emeralds separately to prevent scratches from other gemstones. Keep them away from chemicals.
- Regular Inspections: For mounted jewelry, regularly check the prongs to ensure they are secure to prevent the gemstone from loosening or falling out.
- Daily Protection: Avoid hard impacts and extreme temperatures, as rapid temperature changes can cause fractures to expand.
May Birthstone Jewelry
Emerald, as the May birthstone, is the perfect highlight in various types of jewelry. Whether set in rings, necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, emeralds radiate timeless elegance. If you’re searching for the perfect gift to celebrate a May birthday or a special anniversary, browse a few of our May birthstone jewelry pieces below.
May Birthstone Necklaces
Round Emerald Halo Pendant Necklace
The round emerald is encircled by a circle of delicate, small gemstones, resembling bright starlight gathering around, with an ingenious design that highlights the elegance of the main stone.
Baguette Cut Lab Emerald Horizontal Necklace
Baguette-cut emeralds are arranged horizontally, with simple lines creating a unique modern feel.
Crescent Round Emerald Necklace Solitaire Pendant
The round-cut emerald is set in a crescent-moon shape, unique and novel, exuding a mysterious charm.
May Birthstone Rings
Leaning Emerald & Moissanite Cluster Ring
Emeralds and Moissanites are clustered in a leaning posture, arranged in a staggered and orderly manner, with a flexible and artistic design.
Emerald Half Eternity Pave Stacking Band
Emeralds are closely paved in a half-eternity setting, in continuous arrangement, simple yet exquisite, suitable for stacking to create diverse styles.
Emerald & Moissanite Curved Pavé Ring
Emeralds and Moissanites are ingeniously arranged along a curve, with smooth lines, elegant and full of fashion tension.
May Birthstone Earrings
Alternating Emerald & Diamond Huggie Earrings
Marquise-shaped emeralds and round diamonds are alternately combined, encircling the ear, with an ingenious design and rich layers.
Alternating Emerald & Moissanite Huggie Earrings
Marquise-shaped emeralds are paired with round Moissanites and arranged alternately, fitting the contour of the ear, fashionable and unique.
Flower Inspired Heart Shaped Emerald Stud Earrings
Heart-shaped emeralds are decorated with diamonds to form a flower shape, romantic and sweet, fully showing the ingenuity.
FAQs About the May Birthstone
Yes, May’s birthstone—emerald is one of the four precious gemstones, and it is indeed rare, especially high-quality emeralds.
May has only one birthstone—emerald.
In modern times, Aventurine (green chalcedony) is sometimes used as an alternative May birthstone. Its green hue is similar to emerald, though it typically presents a lighter green or bluish-green color, and it is generally more affordable in terms of quality and price. Aventurine symbolizes prosperity, luck, and peace, and is sometimes also associated with health and rebirth. Its color and energy make it a beautiful alternative for May.
Absolutely. Lab-created emeralds are real emeralds, with the same physical and chemical properties as natural emeralds—only they are grown in a different environment. Lab-created emeralds are a more sustainable option for the May birthstone.
Yes, emeralds have a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8, making them suitable for daily wear. However, emeralds naturally have cracks and are more fragile compared to other gemstones, so they should be carefully protected to avoid impacts.
Related Readings: January birthstone, February Birthstone, March Birthstone, April Birthstone, June Birthstone, July Birthstone, August Birthstone, September Birthstone, October Birthstone, November Birthstone, December Birthstone