May Birthstone: Emerald Meaning, Colour and Gift Ideas

What is the May Birthstone?

May babies, you get the greenest gem of them all. The May birthstone is emerald, a stone the colour of new leaves, deep woods and long evenings in the garden. It could not belong to any other month. May is when the hedgerows burst, the bluebells carpet the woods and everything is impossibly, gloriously green, and emerald is that feeling made into a jewel.

This guide is our love letter to emerald as a birthstone: what it means, where it comes from, why it belongs to May, and how to choose a piece for yourself or for the May soul you are shopping for. You can browse our handmade May birthstone jewellery any time the mood takes you.

May Birthstone at a Glance

Birthstone	Emerald
Colour	Bluish green to deep, velvety green
Meaning	Love, growth, renewal and wisdom
Chakra	Heart
Mineral	Beryl, a cousin of aquamarine
Found in	Colombia, Zambia, Brazil
Mohs hardness	7.5 to 8
Zodiac	Taurus (20 April to 20 May) and Gemini (21 May to 20 June)

What Colour is the May Birthstone?

The May birthstone colour is green, and not just any green. Emerald green is rich, cool and deep, with a hint of blue, like sunlight coming through beech leaves. It is such a particular colour that it gave its name to the Emerald Isle and to a certain famous city at the end of a yellow brick road.

Emeralds are rarely flawless. Most have tiny wisps and veils inside, which gem lovers call the jardin, French for garden. We rather love that: a little secret garden inside every stone.

May Birthstone Meaning

The May birthstone meaning is love, growth and renewal. Emerald has been a symbol of rebirth and loyalty for thousands of years, and it is tied to the heart chakra, the centre of compassion and open-hearted love. It is the stone we reach for at the start of something new, or when a friendship or a romance deserves a little celebrating.

It is also a stone of wisdom and clear sight. In the old stories, an emerald could reveal the truth of a lover's promise and even lend its wearer a glimpse of the future.

For the full story of its properties, wander over to our in-depth guide to emerald meaning, symbolism and properties.

The History of Emerald: Cleopatra's Favourite

Emerald has been adored for at least four thousand years, and it has kept some very grand company.

• The earliest known emerald mines were in ancient Egypt, and Cleopatra was famously devoted to the stone.
• The Romans dedicated emerald to Venus, goddess of love and beauty.
• The Inca and Aztec peoples treasured emeralds as sacred stones long before Europeans arrived in South America.
• Today the finest emeralds come from Colombia, famous for their pure, glowing green.

It is one of the four precious gems, alongside diamond, ruby and sapphire, and the traditional gift for a 55th wedding anniversary.

Why is Emerald the Birthstone for May?

Emerald has been linked with spring since ancient times. The Romans associated it with Venus and with the season of growth, and its fresh green made it the natural choice for the month when the world is at its most alive. When jewellers drew up the modern birthstone list in 1912, emerald kept its place as the one and only stone for May.

Green Alternatives to Emerald

If you love the colour of the May birthstone and fancy something a little different, there are some beautiful green stones to explore.

• Chrysoprase: a bright apple-green stone of joy and an open heart, and a traditional May alternative. Browse our chrysoprase jewellery.
• African jade: a deep green stone of growth and steady confidence. Read our African jade guide.
• Aquamarine: emerald's sea-blue cousin in the beryl family, and one of the March birthstones.

May Birthstones and the Zodiac

May is shared by two signs. Earthy, beauty-loving Taurus (20 April to 20 May) is ruled by Venus, the very planet emerald belongs to, so the two are a perfect match. Quick, curious Gemini (21 May to 20 June) is drawn to emerald's reputation for wisdom and eloquence. For more star-sign pairings, have a read of our guide to gemstone jewellery for your zodiac sign.

How to Wear and Care for Your May Birthstone

Emerald is a hard stone, but that little inner garden makes it more delicate than it looks. A bit of kindness goes a long way.

• Clean it gently. Use lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft cloth. Avoid very hot water and harsh cleaners.
• Protect it from knocks. Necklaces and earrings are the gentlest way to wear emerald every day.
• Store it on its own. A soft pouch keeps it safe from scratches.

Worn as a necklace, emerald sits right over the heart chakra, exactly where it likes to be. To keep its energy feeling fresh, see our guide to cleansing your crystals. Moonlight and smoke are the kindest methods.

May Birthstone Jewellery and Gift Ideas

A May birthday arrives with the blossom and the bluebells, and a birthstone is a gift with that same feeling of life and promise. Here are a few of our favourites.

• Our mini emerald heart necklace is a tiny faceted heart of deep spring green on recycled sterling silver or 9ct gold. The perfect little love note for a May birthday.
• For a simple everyday piece of May birthstone jewellery, our emerald vegan silk necklace is light, delicate and easy to layer.
• Looking for a May birthstone ring, or simply want to see everything? Explore the full May birthstone jewellery collection and all of our emerald jewellery.
• Not sure which they would choose? Browse our gift ideas or let them pick with a gift voucher.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.

May Birthstone FAQs

What is the birthstone for May?

The birthstone for May is emerald, the green variety of the mineral beryl.

What colour is the May birthstone?

Green. Emerald ranges from bluish green to a deep, velvety green.

What does the May birthstone mean?

Emerald stands for love, growth, renewal and wisdom. It is linked with the heart chakra.

Does May have more than one birthstone?

Emerald is the only modern birthstone for May. Agate and chrysoprase are older, traditional alternatives.

Why is emerald the May birthstone?

Emerald has been associated with spring and with Venus, goddess of love, since Roman times, which made it a natural fit for May.

What is the birthstone for Taurus and Gemini?

Emerald suits both. It is a classic Taurus stone, and it is the birthstone for May-born Geminis too.

Can I wear emerald every day?

Yes, with care. Emerald is hard but can be brittle, so protect it from knocks and clean it gently.

Explore More Birthstones

Shopping for another month? See every stone in our guide to birthstone jewellery by month, read up on April's diamond and clear quartz or March's aquamarine and bloodstone, or lose yourself in our A-Z crystal guide.