May
May's birthstone is emerald — that deep green is a symbol of rebirth, life and wisdom, the colour of spring and of love, prized by emperors and nobility since antiquity.
May’s birthstone is emerald — that deep green is a symbol of rebirth, life and wisdom, the colour of spring and of love, prized by emperors and nobility since antiquity. It is heavily included and delicate, yet beautiful like nothing else.
About the May Birthstone
Emerald is May’s modern and traditional birthstone, the green variety of beryl coloured by chromium or vanadium, Mohs hardness 7.5–8, the most delicate of the three great coloured gemstones. It is usually included (the trade’s jardin, or garden), and oiling is a century-old norm; a wholly clean emerald is, in fact, suspect.
The Meaning of This Month
Emerald symbolises rebirth, life, wisdom and love. That deep green, like everything sprouting in early spring, has since antiquity been the colour of vitality and hope. To give it to someone born in May is to wish “may you flourish, and your wisdom stay evergreen”.
History & Culture
The birthstone tradition traces to the twelve gems of the Breastplate of Aaron, matched to the months and zodiac, and standardised into the modern list by the American jewellers’ association in 1912. Emerald has been beloved of emperors and nobility since antiquity — from Cleopatra’s mines in ancient Egypt to Colombia’s famed Muzo, that green has always been the colour of power and legend.
The Lists
| List | May birthstone |
|---|---|
| Modern (1912 · US) | Emerald |
| Traditional | Emerald |
| Zodiac | Taurus (to 5/20) · Gemini (from 5/21) |
Explore this month's stones
FAQ
What is May's birthstone?
Emerald. The modern and traditional lists agree.
Why does emerald have so many fractures?
That is its nature — the trade's jardin (garden), a signature rather than a fault; a too-clean emerald is instead suspect.
What does emerald symbolise?
Rebirth, life, wisdom and love — the colour of spring and hope.
Can emerald take ultrasonic cleaning?
No; it drives out the oil and opens the fractures — clean only with warm water and a soft cloth.
Which zodiac signs go with May?
Taurus (to May 20) and Gemini (from May 21).