What is the May birthstone?

The May birthstone is the emerald, a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. It is one of the four traditional precious gemstones alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire.

What does the emerald symbolize?

Emerald symbolizes rebirth, fertility, love, and wisdom. Ancient Romans associated it with Venus, the goddess of love. In many cultures it also represents hope, growth, and good fortune.

How hard is an emerald on the Mohs scale?

Emerald rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. While reasonably hard, most natural emeralds contain internal fractures (called jardin) that make them more brittle than their hardness rating suggests. A protective bezel or halo setting is recommended for everyday rings.

Where are the finest emeralds mined?

Colombia is widely regarded as the top source, producing vivid, slightly bluish-green stones prized by collectors. Zambia yields darker, more bluish emeralds with high clarity. Brazil produces lighter, yellower-green stones. Other sources include Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.

How should I clean emerald jewelry?

Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners — heat and vibration can expand existing fractures or loosen filler oils used to treat the stone. Re-oiling by a professional jeweler every few years maintains the stone's appearance.

Are synthetic emeralds real emeralds?

Lab-created emeralds have the same chemical composition (beryllium aluminum silicate) and optical properties as natural stones, but they lack the natural inclusions. They are sold at a much lower price point. Always ask whether a stone is natural, synthetic, or simulant (such as green glass or cubic zirconia) before purchasing.

May Birthstone

Name: May Birthstone
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Explore everything about emerald, the May birthstone — its history, symbolism, color grading, Mohs hardness, origins, and care tips.

Emerald at a Glance

Birth Month: May
Gemstone: Emerald
Mineral Family: Beryl (Be\u{2083}Al\u{2082}Si\u{6}O\u{18})
Color: Green — from trace chromium & vanadium
Mohs Hardness: 7.5 – 8
Refractive Index: 1.565 – 1.602
Specific Gravity: 2.67 – 2.78
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)
Zodiac Signs: Taurus & Gemini
Anniversary: 20th & 35th wedding anniversary

Symbolism & Meaning

Rebirth & renewal: The lush green mirrors spring's new growth, making it the perfect May stone.
Love & devotion: Ancient Romans dedicated the emerald to Venus, goddess of love.
Wisdom & clarity: Medieval scholars believed emeralds enhanced memory and intelligence.
Hope & fortune: Many cultures gift emeralds to bring good luck and prosperity.
Healing & balance: Holistic traditions associate emerald with the heart chakra.

Color Grading

Emerald value is driven by three color dimensions: hue, tone, and saturation.

Hue

Best: Pure green with a slight blue secondary hue

Avoid: Strong yellow-green or gray secondary hues

Colombian stones are famous for a desirable bluish-green.

Tone

Best: Medium to medium-dark (60–75% on the tone scale)

Avoid: Very light (pale, low value) or very dark (appears black)

Lighter tones are less valuable; very dark stones lose brilliance.

Saturation

Best: Vivid, strong, pure color with minimal gray or brown mask

Avoid: Grayish or brownish modifiers that dull the green

High saturation is the single biggest driver of premium pricing.

Color spectrum — click to copy hex

Top Origins

Colombia Prestige score: 95/100

The world benchmark — vivid bluish-green with the coveted "Muzo" and "Chivor" mine labels. Commands the highest premiums.

Zambia Prestige score: 80/100

Darker, more bluish stones with excellent clarity. Growing in prestige and now rivaling Colombian material.

Brazil Prestige score: 65/100

Lighter, more yellowish-green. High volume but generally lower value per carat. Best stones are competitive.

Zimbabwe Prestige score: 55/100

Small, intensely colored stones from the Sandawana mine. Prized for vivid saturation despite small crystal size.

Ethiopia Prestige score: 50/100

Newer source producing both transparent and translucent material. Gaining traction in the trade since 2014.

Afghanistan Prestige score: 45/100

Panjshir Valley stones can rival Colombian quality but supply is inconsistent and provenance tracing is difficult.

Care & Maintenance

Warm soapy water + soft brush

The safest cleaning method for any oiled emerald.

Store separately in soft pouch

Prevents scratches from harder gems like sapphires or diamonds.

Re-oil every 2–5 years

A jeweler can re-treat fissures with cedar oil to restore appearance.

Protective ring setting

Bezel or halo settings guard the stone's edges from chips.

Ultrasonic cleaners

Vibration can widen internal fractures (jardin) and loosen oils.

Steam cleaners

High heat expands fillers and can cause stone cracking.

Harsh chemicals

Bleach, acetone, and strong acids damage both stone and setting.

Expose to sudden temperature changes

Thermal shock stresses existing inclusions.

Historical Timeline

~1500 BC Egypt

Cleopatra's legendary mines at Wadi Sikait produced emeralds prized across the ancient world.
~400 BC India

Sanskrit texts reference emeralds as "marakata" — one of the nine sacred Navaratna gems.
1200s Inca Empire

Andean peoples mined Colombian deposits for centuries before Spanish conquest.
1537 Colombia

Spanish conquistadors discovered the Muzo mines, transforming global emerald supply.
1600s Mughal India

Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned massive carved emeralds; some carry inscribed verses.
1912 Worldwide

American National Retail Jewelers Association officially designated emerald as May's birthstone.
1935 Laboratory

Carroll Chatham grew the first commercially viable synthetic emerald, expanding access.
Today Global

Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil supply most of the world's fine emeralds to international markets.

Summary

Explore everything about emerald, the May birthstone — its history, symbolism, color grading, Mohs hardness, origins, and care tips.

How it works

Browse the overview panel to learn the emerald's key gemological properties at a glance.
Check the color grading section to understand how hue, tone, and saturation affect emerald quality and value.
Explore the origin map panel to see which countries produce the finest emeralds.
Read the symbolism section to discover what the emerald represents across cultures and traditions.
Review the care tips panel before cleaning or storing emerald jewelry.

Use cases

Quickly look up emerald facts before buying May birthstone jewelry as a gift.
Understand color grading to compare emerald quality at a jewelry store.
Learn which country of origin (Colombia, Zambia, Brazil) influences price and character.
Find out whether emeralds are safe for ultrasonic or steam cleaning.
Share symbolism and meaning when giving an emerald gift for a May birthday.
Research emerald history for a school project or gemology study.
Identify the difference between natural emeralds and synthetic alternatives.
Understand Mohs hardness to determine the right jewelry setting and everyday wearability.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-05-29 · Reviewed by Nham Vu