What is the Birthstone for May?

If you were born in May, emerald is your stone, and it has moved through history with quiet confidence.

There’s a reason this gem has come to represent the month when the world feels fully awake. Its deep colour mirrors spring at its height—lush, alive, generous in every direction.

Historical Background

Emerald’s story reaches back thousands of years. In Egypt, the mines ran deep long before the Common Era. Cleopatra, never shy about beauty or power, is said to have claimed May birthstone mines as her own. She wore the stones not just as decoration, but as a kind of statement.

In Rome, emeralds were thought to sharpen the eye and calm the heart. Scholars and travellers carried them as charms. Across the world, in the rain-soaked hills of South America, the Muzo people of what’s now Colombia treated emeralds as sacred, long before Spanish ships arrived.

By the Middle Ages, these May birthstones had become incorporated into crowns, manuscripts, and religious relics. They were prized not just for rarity, but for the quiet strength people believed they offered to the mind and spirit.

This drawing is from Frederic Cailliaud’s 1817 expedition and shows the old emerald mining area near Wadi Sikait in Egypt — the Romans used to call it 'Mons Smaragdus,' which means 'Emerald Mountains.

Symbolism and Meaning

Emerald has always been more than beautiful. Its meaning cuts deeper.

The stone is tied to growth, renewal, and insight. People have looked to May's birthstone to bring balance, encourage openness, and create space for patience. It’s long been associated with loyalty in love and wisdom in thought—qualities that don’t announce themselves loudly, but last when everything else shifts.

As the emerald birthstone, it’s also a symbol of clarity—of seeing things as they are. Whether it’s used as a gift, a keepsake, or simply worn day to day, this May birthstone carries a quiet message: stay rooted, stay thoughtful, and trust what’s unfolding.

Physical Properties and Varieties

Emerald is a variety of beryl, coloured green by chromium or vanadium. Its hardness ranges between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale, but unlike diamond or sapphire, it often carries internal features—fine lines, clouds, patterns. These are natural, and in emeralds, they’re expected.

They're sometimes called "jardin,” French for garden. It fits. These internal structures aren’t flaws; they’re part of the gem’s texture and identity.

A few essentials when talking about emeralds:

• Colour: The most prized may birthstone colour is a rich green, with or without a hint of blue. The colour should be deep, but not dark.
• Clarity: Most emeralds have inclusions. Obvious stones are rare. The focus is on how the light moves through the stone, not the absence of marks.
• Cut: This May birthstone cut was designed for this gem. The clean rectangular facets give it strength and help show the colour evenly.
  
• Source: Colombia remains the most celebrated origin, though Zambia and Brazil also produce stones of excellent quality.
  
• Most emeralds are treated with oil to reduce the visibility of minor surface fractures. It’s a standard process and part of how these May birthstones have been handled for centuries.
  

How to Care for Emerald

Emeralds are durable but require careful handling. Their inclusions make them more vulnerable to sudden changes in temperature or substantial impacts.

To care for your May birthstone:

• Clean it gently with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or brush. Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
• Keep it away from harsh chemicals. That includes common household cleaners and personal care products.
• Remove it when you’re doing physical work—whether that’s gardening, sports, or heavy cleaning.
  
• Store it separately from other jewellery to avoid scratches.

If the stone has been oiled (as most are), consider having it professionally inspected every few years to ensure its condition remains optimal. A jeweller can refresh the stone’s clarity with a safe, minimal reapplication if needed.

The answer to “what is May birthstone?” is emerald, which is a symbol of growth, vitality, and insight. With care, your May birthstone holds their glow beautifully over time. They don’t just look meaningful—they become meaningful, the longer they’re worn.