A graceful deer in an emerald scarf lifts a green step-cut emerald up toward the light

May Birthstone

  • Emerald

May's birthstone is the emerald, a green to bluish green beryl that has represented the month on American lists since 1912.

Few pairings on the calendar feel as natural as May and emerald. By late spring, fields and trees reach full green, and the stone mirrors that color more directly than any other gem on the list. The 1912 American list gave May a single stone, and none of the later updates in 1952, 2002 or 2016 added a second. Japan's list, by contrast, pairs emerald with jadeite, and the UK names chrysoprase as an alternative.

Emerald has traditionally evoked rebirth and the arrival of spring, an association that fits a month of new leaves and long, mild days. Older lore went further, crediting the stone with granting eloquence and with revealing false promises, so it carried a reputation for honesty as well as beauty. Today the gem is customary for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries, a pairing that gives it two separate places on the anniversary calendar.

The stones

Emerald

Mohs hardness: 7.5–8

Emerald is the green variety of beryl, the same species that produces aquamarine. Its color ranges from pure green to slightly bluish green, and it rates 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale. Colombia heads the list of notable sources, with Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan and Afghanistan also important. Many emeralds are filled with oil or resin, a detail that shapes how they should be cleaned and worn.

Care

Treat emerald more gently than its hardness suggests. Because many stones are filled with oil or resin, ultrasonic and steam cleaners are off limits, as are heat and harsh chemicals. A soft brush in warm soapy water is enough. Taking an emerald ring off before housework limits contact with the chemicals that can disturb those fillings.

Other lists

US listUK listJapanese list (2021)
EmeraldEmerald(Chrysoprase)EmeraldJadeite

FAQ

What is the birthstone for May?

Emerald is May's only birthstone on the American list. It is a green beryl, and its color ranges from vivid green to bluish green.

Why is emerald harder to care for than its Mohs number suggests?

The Mohs number measures scratch resistance, but many emeralds are filled with oil or resin. Heat, steam, ultrasonic vibration and harsh chemicals can affect those fillings, so gentle washing in warm soapy water is the safe routine.

Birthstones are a jewelry and cultural tradition, and their meanings are folklore. Gem facts are compiled from public material by GIA, the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America.