“Give me songs to sing and emerald dreams to dream and I’ll give you love unfolding” – Jim Morrison.
Anyone steeped in rock music knows legendary Jim Morrison. Though he was born in December, he expressed his poetic side with the May birthstone, emerald.
Of all the green gemstones, emerald is undoubtedly the most revered and celebrated. From the times of Cleopatra (even before that), people around the world have had a distinct fascination for the stone.
Apart from having emerald as the birthstone, May has some other extraordinary days. Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and International Workers Day (May Day), all fall in this month.
So, let’s know in detail about emeralds, the green of which also inspired the Roman philosopher, Pliny.
Did you know? May is also designated as the National Inventors month.
May Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
The root word of emerald means green which symbolizes growth.
There are a lot of opinions about how the word emerald came into existence. But the most commonly accepted origin goes back to Greek when smáragdos meant green gem.
Somewhere during the evolution of language, the word made its way to Latin and became smaragdus. In not so sophisticated Latin it became esmaralda and esmaraldus.
In old French it became esmeraude and in Middle English emeraude. Finally, today we know the May birthstone by its current name emerald. What a fascinating journey for a name! 👏
In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) officially made emerald the May birthstone.
Emeralds symbolize fertility, rebirth, growth and prosperity all of which perfectly align with the ideals of May. The gemstone also represents truth and love.
Ancient Greeks and Romans associated emeralds with Venus, the goddess of love & extravaganza and the wishmaster for love & hope.
Also, Incas revered emeralds as a sacred symbol of power and protection. Egyptians believed that the stone is the source of eternal life.
Many cultures around the world have associated the May birthstone with love and fidelity.
As per some beliefs, placing an emerald under the tongue can reveal the truthfulness of a lover. Another belief says that emerald protects its wearer from evil spirits and grants clairvoyance.
Emeralds are also said to open and balance the heart chakra, aiding in emotional healing. It also promotes unconditional love, and enhances the ability to give and receive love.
The Emerald City of Oz
Writer L. Frank Baum in his fictional work “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” describes the Emerald City as the capital of the Land of Oz.
The city is in the center of the country and has a beautiful marble structure. No one can escape the enamoring appeal of emerald studded marbles of the city.
Seattle, Washington
Did you know there is a city in the real world that’s called ‘The Emerald City’? Seattle has this nickname which became official in 1982. Though it may not have emerald studded walls or marble streets, it got this name for its abundant greenery.
The city remains attractive throughout the year thanks to its evergreen trees, shrubs, ferns, moss and wildflowers. A truly deserving honor for the May birthstone.
History of the May Birthstone Emerald
The earliest emerald mines found in the Eastern desert of Egypt date back to 1500 BC.
Long before the rest of the world came to know about emeralds, Egyptian Pharaohs were using the stone in royal adornments. They believed that emeralds symbolize eternal youth and immortality.
Therefore, along with other personal belongings, emeralds also accompanied the mummies to the grave, for the afterlife. And who doesn’t know the strong liking Queen Cleopatra had for emeralds!
She was known not just for her beauty but also for owning emerald mines and using the stones for her personal ornaments.
In the other parts of the world Mayan and Aztecs also held high regard for this green gemstone. According to one theory, when the Spanish explorers started trading with them, emeralds spread to Asia and Europe.
However, some ancient Indian texts written long before the existence of Egyptian mines mention emeralds. Yet there is belief that emeralds were imported to India from Egypt.
In the Bible, one of the four sacred stones God gave to King Solomon is emerald. During the Mughal period in India, emerald stones were used to inscribe Quranic verses.
Dar-al-Athar al-Islamiyyah museum in Kuwait City, displays a 17th century emerald inscribed with the throne verse from the Qur’an (II:25).
May Birthstone Hardness & Grading
Besides being the birthstone for May, Emerald is the wedding anniversary gift for celebrating the 55 years of togetherness.
Emerald is a durable stone with a score of 7.5-8 on the 10-point Mohs hardness scale. Natural emeralds have unique inclusions often called jardin in French, meaning garden. Their fine moss-like pattern gives every emerald a distinct appeal.
Like all natural color gemstones, the May birthstone also doesn’t follow any universal grading system.
However, the overall quality grade ranges from A (lowest) to AAAAA (highest). The letter grade is a composite score based on color, cut, clarity and carat weight.
The green color of emerald is due to the presence of chromium or vanadium (or both) in the mineral beryl.
The presence of iron brings in the tint of blue or yellow depending on the concentration of chromium and vanadium.
Since emeralds are desirable due to their green color, it drives most of its value. Besides, untreated emeralds are pricier than the treated ones. Size and any secondary hue also have a bearing on its overall quality & price.
In case of lab emeralds the ‘premium’ grade is equivalent to heirloom grade natural emerald gemstone.
The jewelry industry accepts oil and polymer resin treatments as standard treatments for the emerald gemstones.
The primary focus of treating emeralds is to enhance their structural integrity and color besides removing inclusions. The extent of treatment (from minor to substantial) affects the durability and price of the stone.
>> Learn more about emerald treatments here.
Where Do Emeralds Come From
Four countries take care of the global demand for the earth-mined emeralds.
COLOMBIA
This South American country Is the dominant producer of earth-mined emeralds in the world accounting for over 50% global output.
Colombian emeralds have a very high clarity compared to those from other origins. Also, their green color is quite unmistakable due to a combination of blue and green hues. These May birthstones also exhibit vivid saturation.
Did you Know? Trapiche emerald is a variety famous for its spoke-like pattern, rarity and high prices.
ZAMBIA
Africa is known for its rich mineral deposits and Zambia is no exception. Zambian emeralds have a darker blue hue which draws people favoring cool tones.
BRAZIL
This largest country of South America produces emeralds of relatively lighter tone. But that doesn’t mean that vivid stones aren’t there or they are unsuitable as the May birthstone. Regardless, Brazilian emeralds are more affordable than others.
ZIMBABWE
This landlocked country from the southern part of the African continent also produces emeralds.
Sandawana mines in the country generally produce small but vivid and high-quality stones. These often have a bluish-green hue and display intense color and brilliance.
Celebrities and the May Birthstone
From Cleopatra to modern-day Hollywood celebs and business tycoons such as the Ambanis, emerald has won many hearts.
What’s common among Elizabeth Taylor, Angeline Jolie, Zoe Saldana and Halle Berry? They all love the May birthstone emerald. You probably see them wearing emerald jewelry more often than anything else.
On the other hand Adele, Tina Fey, Dwayne Johnson, George Clooney and Megan Fox share the same birth month, May.
Did you know? The Rockefeller Emerald, with its near perfect clarity, has the reputation of the largest flawless emerald in the world.
How to Buy May Birthstone & Also Save Money
If you’re not an expert, certificate of authenticity is your best bet for buying emeralds.
When buying a May birthstone check for the uniformity of color. Some emerald stones are dichroic meaning they exhibit two hues from different angles.
Sometimes an emerald shows more yellow or blue from one side than the other. Such gemstones are less valuable.
Also, view the stone from the top. If you see more yellow than blue as the secondary hue, you should probably pay less. Nevertheless, your color preference matters the most.
The finest quality May birthstone crystals have medium to vivid color saturation. So avoid going for too light or too dark stones.
If you’re buying for investment purposes, then it’s best to opt for clear and untreated natural stones.
Conversely, if your purpose is only ornamental, then lab emeralds can save you quite a few dollars.
Beware of fakes in the market and always buy from reputed sellers such as GemsNY and insist on certificate of authenticity.
May Birthstone Care & Cleaning
Even though the emerald birthstone is pretty resilient to weathering, it needs some special care: Avoid exposing your gemstone to sudden changes in heat or pressure especially if it’s a treated one.
Store it separately from diamond or sapphire jewelry to avoid scratching. Don’t even think of using ultrasonic cleaner since the vibrations can cause the filler to seep out. Also, filled emeralds can’t take the heat of very hot water if you try it for cleaning.
Gently clean your May birthstone ring, pendant or any other jewelry with a soft brush and warm soapy water. Rinse it in running water and pat dry.
Don’t let it dry under sunlight or UV light. Take your jewelry to a professional for periodic inspection and cleaning.
Flaunt Your Emerald Jewelry
The May birthstone is perfect to celebrate life in all its bloom. Its rich green hues would undoubtedly cast a spell on everyone around.
So whether you’re a May baby or not, flaunt your emerald jewelry the way you want because compliments will come your way.
From loose natural emerald gemstones to their lab-made cousins, GemsNY has them all. Explore the wide variety of designs of emerald rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets.
Engagement Rings: Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the emerald engagement ring happened!
Emerald Gemstones: I just can’t think of anything other than green! Maybe I should buy the gemstone now and think of making something later.🤔
Emerald Earrings: If elegance had a sound, it would be the soft jingle of emerald earrings. Green, glamorous, and totally head-turning—how can anyone say no?
Emerald Bracelets: Sometimes you just need to roll up your sleeves and show the world what you’ve got. And these bracelets are worth showing off.
Month-wise Zodiac Signs & Birthstone List
FAQ About the May Birthstone
Is my emerald real or fake?
In the wake of imitation stones available on the market, recognizing a real emerald can be a challenge. Even the inclusions and color can also be faked. The best way to establish the authenticity of your May birthstone is a certificate from reputed gemological lab.
What are the top three uses of emerald?
Without a doubt the biggest use of an emerald lies in jewelry. Secondly, as the May birthstone, it harnesses the cosmic energy to open the heart chakra and calms the emotions. Finally, it endows domestic bliss to its wearer by exchange of unconditional love.
Can I name my child emerald?
Yes. Naming your child emerald is quite thoughtful, especially for a girl. The name emerald presents an image of elegance and distinct aura, symbolizing growth, renewal and harmony.
What is an emerald marriage milestone?
Just like silver, gold and platinum milestones, the emerald milestone is also significant. It celebrates 55 years of martial bond which in itself is a testament to enduring love and commitment.
Who cannot wear emerald?
As per Vedic astrology, people with malefic Mercury should not wear emeralds. People born under Aries, Cancer or Scorpio ascendants are also advised to avoid wearing emeralds as they may bring negative effects.
Which finger is best for wearing emerald?
Vedic astrology associates emeralds with Mercury and since the little finger has the mount of mercury, it’s the best. You should choose the right hand though since it signifies your interaction with the world and the energies you emit.
