The emerald gemstone is the birthstone for May and is considered the gem of spring for evoking lush, fresh gardens and a sense of renewal.
What is May’s Birthstone?
May’s birthstone is the emerald. This precious birthstone is prized for its rich green color and rarity. Emeralds are renowned for their beauty and elegance, making them a popular choice for jewelry pieces such as rings, earrings, and necklaces. Their captivating hue adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to any design, making them a beloved choice — particularly for those with May birthdays. Whether worn as a statement piece or as a subtle accent, the emerald birthstone is cherished for its timeless appeal and colorful allure.
May Birthstone Color
Emerald is often used synonymously with the color green and is even regarded as the very definition of the color. The most desirable emerald birthstone colors are bluish green to pure green, with vivid color saturation. Emeralds are characterized by a medium to deep tone, while visually similar gems, such as green beryl, have a lighter color.
May Birthstone History
In centuries past, this birthstone symbolized fertility and good fortune, and was even thought to cure diseases and restore exhausted travelers. Spiritual traditions and legends held that these gems had the power to make their wearer more intelligent and quick-witted. Emerald lore also claimed that by placing an emerald under the tongue, one could see into the future. Others believed it improved the wearer’s eloquence and gave protection against evil spells.
Royalty as far back as Cleopatra adorned their jewelry and crowns with the emerald birthstone. And Roman tradition claimed the gemstone had therapeutic properties for the eyes — which is now partially scientifically proven, as green is recognized to relieve eye strain and stress. Today, in addition to being the birthstone for May, emeralds are also a traditional gift for 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
May Birthstone Meaning
The significance of the emerald as the May birthstone not only symbolizes the renewal associated with spring but also represents truth, wisdom, intuition, foresight, loyalty, abundance, success, and love. Throughout history, this birthstone has held cultural significance – for example, in the ancient cultures of Rome and Greece, emerald birthstones were often linked to the goddess Venus, who symbolized love and hope. Those who wear emeralds can embody these powerful and positive attributes of May’s birthstone symbolism.
Where is the May Birthstone Found?
We source emeralds from Colombia and Zambia, but they’re also found in India, Austria and the United States, among other countries. For more information about the origins of the May birthstone, read our Emerald Guide.
May Birthstone Durability
The May birthstone is considered moderately durable, with a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. As they are less durable than rubies or sapphires, extra precaution should be taken when wearing emerald gemstone jewelry to ensure it can be worn for generations.
May Birthstone Cleaning & Care
Besides taking your May gemstone to a professional jeweler, the safest way to clean this birthstone is with very gentle home cleaning methods. It’s recommended to avoid intense hot steam or ultrasonic cleaning methods.
How to Clean a May Birthstone at Home:
- Prepare a bowl with warm, chemical-free soap.
- Gently wash the gemstone in the bowl using a soft toothbrush.
Note: If washing in the sink instead of a bowl, ensure safe cleaning by placing a stopper over the drain.
May Birthstone Jewelry
To celebrate the joy of spring, your birthday, or your favorite person born in May, browse a few of our May birthstone jewelry offerings below.
May Birthstone Necklaces
Heart Shaped Lab Emerald Bezel Pendant Necklace
The perfect gift for yourself or your loved one, this cutesy pendant features a glistening heart-shaped lab emerald in a classic bezel setting.
Lia Lab Grown Emerald Chain Necklace
An east-west emerald-cut lab grown emerald takes centerstage in this edgy, trendy curb chain necklace.
Teardrop Lab Emerald Pendant
A pear-shaped lab grown emerald rests within a bezel setting with an open back to allow maximum light to reach the gem.
May Birthstone Rings
Marseille Lab Emerald Ring
Lab Emerald Tube Ring
Lab Emerald Sweetheart Signet Ring
This charming signet ring features a heart-shaped silhouette with a round lab emerald at its center.
May Birthstone Earrings
Petal Lab Emerald and Diamond Earrings
Breathtaking lab grown marquise cut emeralds and sparkling diamonds form a floral design in these beautiful studs.
Soiree Lab Grown Emerald Huggie Earrings
Emerald Halo Diamond Earrings
These stunning earrings feature vivid green emerald centers surrounded by an elegant halo of pavé-set diamonds.
May Birthstone Bracelets
Lia Lab Grown Emerald Chain Bracelet
Lab Grown Emerald Tennis Bracelet
Teardrop Lab Emerald Bracelet
A beautiful bezel-set pear-shaped lab emerald rests on a lustrous chain in this unique bracelet.
May Birthstone FAQs
What are the two birthstones for May?
In addition to emerald, agate is also considered a birthstone for May, which is a form of quartz gemstone characterized by wavy patterns.
What’s May’s birthstone flower?
May’s birthstone flowers are lilies-of-the-valley and hawthorns.
What month is the emerald birthstone?
May is the month associated with the emerald birthstone.
Still interested in learning more about birthstones? Check out our other birthstone guides: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
My Birthday is, May 25th. and I am an EMERALD GAL. The most beautiful stone.
The best
I bought a 16 karat Brazilian Emerald 10 years ago on my 60th birthday it has been my special ring forever I was born May 10th 1949
I love Emerald.It is my birthstone.I was born May 4th 1937. I wished all my life to own one. But the price is unreachable for fixed income……
This jewelry is like so beautiful I want to buy one but I’m so poor I wish I had the May birthstone because it’s that beautiful.
May 11,1964 make. Emeralds are mens choice too. My brother is may 10, mother may 27 ex friend may24 co-worker may 11,1974. Go Taurus ‘ !!!
My mother gave me an emerald ring years ago. It has two small diamonds on either side. May 29th is my birth date.
May 29 is my birthday. I have an emerald cut ring given to me by my mother. I love it and wear it proudly?
I wear a very sweet emerald and diamond ring. The diamonds are my son’s birthstone and emerald is mine. My son explained the reasoning when he gifted it to me on my 60th birthday. This precious ring will never leave my finger.
Beautiful
May 13th, TaurusQueen with the birthstone the color of money…couldn’t be more perfect. Wish i could afford more jewelry bc I’m a fanatic…
My birthday is on May 18 and my birthstone is emerald
Hi everyone! My B-Day is May 19th & I love emeralds. I have a beautiful triple emerald ring flanked by diamonds & I have an emerald bracelet to match it. I just recently received a pair of emerald earrings & necklace as a gift for my B-Day… Emeralds are a woman’s best friend too;))
I am a grandmother of a May granddaughter. I gave her an emerald set she can’t even wear yet. She turned 13 a few weeks ago. We took her to a jewelry store to pick out something. I asked her how often she wore green. Rarely. So I suggested she choose something in blue that she can wear with the jeans she most often wears. We got her sized, but she picked a very delicate blue topaz necklace. I tell this because I thought it was a very intelligent pick. I gave her older cousin Amethist for her 13th birthday. I plan to do it with all of my Granddaughters. They are such wonderful young women. They know I love jewelry and That I intend to spoil them.
May 7, 1957 My class ring has my birth stone in it. *smile*
Do you specialize in opals my birthday is 10/31/50
luv it just luv it
I too am an Gemini, also i love emeralds even before i knew my sign. I have 2 rings 6 pairs of earrings in emerald and diamonds.
Yes, I too am a May Birthday Girl as well. May 19th. I have 2 beautiful Emerald rings, and am working on getting a third. They are my absolute Favorite Stone.
My Birthday is May 14th! I have never had an Emerald, but I love the stone!
I’m a May birthday girl also, and my bday is also May 19—1944! I have always loved emeralds, and I have an (emerald-cut) emerald ring surrounded by small diamonds. It is a natural emerald, not lab created. Even though it may not be huge, I love it!
P.S. Thanks for the article on emeralds, it refreshed my memory on the hx. of the gorgeous green stone!
Is so beautiful
I AM A May Girl!! May 26, 1967. I share the day with my Star Sister, Songbird Stevie Nicks!! Rock on Gold Dust Woman!! I also have a few Emerald rings, but none as lovely as your exquisite jewelry. So very happy to find your site. Thank you, Brilliant Earth! …And a very happy birthday to all the other May birthdays
I AM A May Girl!! May 26, 1967. I share the day with my Star Sister, Songbird Stevie Nicks!! Rock on Gold Dust Woman!! And a very happy birthday to all the other May birthdays
I was born June 21st (Father’s Day)
And I wish I did have an emerald cut Emerald set
I lost my only (big) sister
And her birthday was May 12 ( born the day after
Mother’s day) and each yeah is different… But again I would love an nice Emerald set to wear in her honor!!!!!
I was looking up precious stones for an idea for my company name and I got attracted to emeralds and intituively I checked for May birthstone because I was born in May…behold, Emeralds is a Maybirthstone! I am so going for emeralds. Lol
Love the opportunity to enjoy brilliant earth
Hey guys! My b-day is May 2nd, 1959. I Love my emeralds also. I have a beautiful “mother’s day” ring my hubby, (who has now passed away after a wonderful 30yr marriage, he passed 2015) purchased for me after the birth of both our daughters.. God bless you all 🙂
What method do you recommend in cleaning emeralds with cedar oil?
I am one if the May Birthday girls you mentioned in your article.
As a child I hated my birthstone, but my Dad bought my 1st birthstone ring when I was a early teen. As I grew up I learned to appreciate the beautiful stone. Of course, by then they had become very expensive.
I now have 3 emerald rings, one with a .95 point emerald cut emerald surrounded by many diamonds. It was purchased when we lived in Hawaii (Military). My husband had it custom made after the first setting literally fell apart. Extra diamonds were also added to the new setting.
For my b-day & Mother’s day this year he purchased an emerald set for me. It includes a gorgeous emerald pendant necklace and earrings. The emeralds are all emerald cut with small diamonds at the top. I also have a wedding band style ring with many small emeralds, & a oval cut emerald surrounded by diamonds. I have 2 emerald bracelets, the 1st I purchased myself, & the 2nd was given to me several years ago by our oldest son. Both bracelets include diamonds. One is white gold & the other in yellow gold .
For my birthday & Mother’s day of this year my sweet husband of 45 years got a 3 piece set which included a necklace and earrings.
The stones in the set are all A quality with gorgeous color & clarity. They are all emerald cut with diamonds. They have a ‘A’ quality rating.
I also have 3 more pair of emerald earrings, in the 1st pair, I purchased the stones loose while on a cruise that included a stop in Mexico. I had them put in a simple mounting. The 2nd pair are very simple in a plain mounting.
The 3rd pair I received from my son & daughter-in law several years ago. They are a small hoop style with 3 emeralds & 2 diamonds on each earring.
You might say I’m pretty well set when it comes to emeralds.
I enjoyed the article about emeralds and the history behind them.
?
I was born January. I have one small emerald ring. I plan on getting a set. Hoping it will bring me love and luck.
Hey guys
Hey
Hiya! My b-date is May 21, 1950, and I have the most beautiful emerald ring ever in the world!!! I got it out of a Cracker Jack’s box as my surprise!!! And, it really looks real!!! God bless, ya’all!!!!
Yes I’m a may birthday girl and yes I love my beautiful emerald birthstone it is so stunning
Beautiful esmerald stone ring,earings, necklace! Brilliantearth is Amazing!?This information is From PCH. I need Miracle in My Life for Buy My Dream Home. I need PCH coming April 27,2018 in My address 3892 Covington Dr Saint Cloud 34772. God Almighty Jesus Christ, “Open The Door in The Heaven for Bleesing your Family and Company Brillianteart.!? Amen
Beautiful! Brilliantearth is Amazing!?This information is From PCH. I need Miracle in My Life for Buy My Dream Home. I need PCH coming April 27,2018 in My address 3892 Covington Dr Saint Cloud 34772. God Almighty Jesus Christ, “Open The Door in The Heaven for Bleesing your Family and Company Brillianteart.!? Amen
Beautiful! Brilliantearth is Amazing!?
I had my daughter on May 8th-Emerald. And had my son in April-Diamond….thats gonna make one BEAUTIFUL Mothers Ring!!! Can’t wait to get one one day…hurry up kids!!! lol
My birthstone is emerald and on my 50th birthday I bought myself a beautiful round emerald ring with small diamonds surrounding it. So beautiful.
My birth date is May 19th, the date of the Royal Wedding. I own a very old Emerald Ring which I bought when I first started working, many years ago. I would LOVE a new Emerald Ring, Emeralds are a favourite for sure!
My birth date is May 19th, the date of the Royal Wedding. I own a very old Emerald Ring which I bought when I first started working, many years ago. I would LOVE a new Emerald Ring, Emeralds are a favourite for sure!
May 28th and I own two beautiful emerald rings! One of my favorite gems.
My birthstone is an Emerald, I would love to have one and hopefully someday I will.
My Birthday is on May 25
My birthday is in February but I have always loved too ware Emeralds they make me feel good
I was born on May 4th so I am an Emerald girl…I love the stone and I love May, such a beautiful month!
I have 3 rings, and beautiful earrings, ,my next is going to be a BRAZALETE that eventually will come one of this days.
My first child was born May 8,1956
And2yrs later I had two girls born May4, 1958. We all have emeralds. Mine is a pinkie and they have solitaires
I’m a May baby and emerald is my favorite stone had one but I have to get another ring and earrings
I am a maygirl, may 8th 1968. I think emerald has got to be the prettiest gem of them all.
I A
I’m A May Birthday Girl. May 28th. I do own an Emerald Ring.
I was born in May and have always loved emeralds. I have nurmous rings, earnings, and necklaces. The piece that I love the most is a Jackie Kennedy’s necklace that my husband purchased for me for our honeymoon. It is just so beautiful. My hope is that one day we will be able to purchase another piece from her collection.
I’m a May baby from way back.
Have a beautiful emerald ring bought in the Dominican and lovely emerald earings bought for me at home
Im a May girl…May 5..
I at this time don’t own a emerald ring lost mine…been heart broken ever since. .but think it may be a great Christmas gift to myself. ?
my birthstone is emerald.
Best suff ever buy is it will change your life
Best stuff
Loves the tory
Hee
IM WEIRD
(I get excited over random things)
I’m a may baby! Trish g (whoever that is her name is next to the comment submit thing) said something on may nineth! That’s mah b-day!!!!!
My birthday is May 1, 1958. My parents gave me an emerald ring for my 16th birthday that I have worn every day since. I get many compliments almost daily.I cherish this ring with all my heart and soul
I’m a May Emerald girl!
A gorgeous Spring month!
Cant wait to own a genuine emerald stone one day! I admire & love emeralds! My b-day May 24th 1954 and a Victoria Day girl feeling so regal! ?
Yes I’m a MAY BIRTHDAY GIRL.
I do have a Emerald. And I love my birth stone. …Thanks for asking .
Yours truly,
A J K
Love the Emerald . Don’t own own one yet . Birthday May 16 1944. They are beautiful!!!
I too owned a beautiful emerald ring from a store that use to be called Jessops however, it was given to me as a gift ? for, a baby shower gift. I took it in for a cleaning and they removed my stone only to replace it w a fake:( my heart was saddened. Never replaced it.
May 11th is my birthday and I do have emeralds in some of my jewelry including some rings. I hardly wear them. Not much of a jewelry wearer.
What about us may guys? I love emeralds too!
I am a Gemini born 4 June I own an emerald ring which I treasure
When I was born I was given a emerald ring it is so tiny that it will not even fit on my little finger. At some point I will take it and have it changed into something wearable. It has many lovely memories for me.
Yes.
Sí.Amorè.Yes. Lily-flower, Name to Angelicize in month. Fan of Professor Angelina Joliet. ?
Sí. Amorè.yes, birthstone-Lily,angelicize the month. Admiration for Angelina Joliet
?.
Correction: earing’s
I am a May Baby born in May 22, 1953 born in Barranquilla, Colombia SA and Emeralds has bee part of my entire life. I love them and I keep one on my finger at all times. I have ratings and also a pendant. I do own several Emerald rings.
No interest
N/a
I myself am a May Birthday girl., and own three emerald rings and one set of emerald earrings. I love them and the will pass them on to my daughters. In my time comes so they can enjoy the beauty of an emerald. It has brought me long loving life and happiness. And hope to buy apiece to put on my 18′ chain, to show the beauty to everyone.
Yes, I own a Emeral Ring. My birthday was May 13, 1939 It is beautiful.
My mom & I are May emerald girls!! My mom’s fav color is emerald green, she has passed and I now am honored to wear her beautiful emerald & diamond heart pendant. Which reminds me of her love every day. ? luv ya ma !
What superstitions surround emeralds
What are the chances of winning some emerald jewelry.
I think because I fell in love with ‘Emerald City’ in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ I fell in love woth emeralds – even though Im a January garnet girl!
Years later I received one from my first real boyfriend as a pre-engagement ring.
We didn’t marry & I returned the ring to his mother.
In 2007 I met the perfect male for me. He was a Taurus and boasted an emerald birthstone!
He passed and I wear a beautoful lab created one in his honor.
I absolutely love emeralds and their regal’ness’ & cant wait to own a genuine emerald stone one day!