May Birthstone - The Definitive Guide (2024)
by Suzanne Sachs • 5 min read
THE BASICS --
Rich and vibrant, emerald is the ideal birthstone for May, a time when spring growth is in full flourish and new leaves, flowers, and grasses are emerging from fertile grounds. This gives emerald a very fertile history and great associations for any type of stunning jewelry. However, its captivating beauty transcends the boundaries of a particular month. The deeper you delve into the enchanting world of this gemstone, the more irresistibly drawn you become to wearing it every day, making it a timeless and versatile choice for any occasion throughout the year.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW--
In this guide, we will explain the following:
- About the May Birthstone
- Factors to Consider When Choosing the May Birthstone
- Color
- Healing Properties
- Emerald Inclusions
- May Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
- Taurus and Gemini
- Renewal and Rebirth
- Love and Compassion
- Protection and Prosperity
- Celebrity
- Emerald Mines
- Emerald History
- Emerald Crystal Uses
- Vintage Emerald Rings & Jewelry
About The May Birthstone
The May birthstone is emerald, a precious gemstone that is the green form of the mineral beryl. This gemstone has a wide hexagonal crystal structure, giving it great clarity and an enhanced carat size, appearing larger to the eye than other gems of similar weight. This structure, however, does make the stone more brittle, and
inclusions can easily be seen. While emeralds have a rating of 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, they can still be subject to damage if bumped or struck at a susceptible angle.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the May Birthstone
• Color
Rich, verdant green is the most familiar color for an emerald, and is caused by chromium and vanadium inclusions in the gem’s crystal structure. The actual shade of green will vary depending on the amount of other elements in the crystal structure, and emeralds can range from very light yellow-green to darker greens with blue or purple undertones. The darker shades with noticeable undertones are the rarest, and therefore most valuable, colors of emerald.
Very light green emerald with obvious yellow tones is often called green beryl or heliodor rather than emerald.
• Healing Properties
The May birthstone, emerald, has long been linked to a range of healing properties and advantages. The emerald is associated with the heart chakra, also known as Anahata in Sanskrit. This chakra is located in the center of the chest and is considered the fourth primary chakra in the body's energy system. The heart chakra is associated with love, compassion, emotional balance, and healing. Emerald, a precious green gemstone, is often linked to this chakra due to its color and energetic properties.
Emeralds are believed to help relieve depression and anxiety, much like being in nature – the stone’s closest association – can improve mental health. Emeralds are also believed to embody youthfulness while easing paranoia, promoting balance, and easing stomach or digestive ailments. Ancient alchemists also believed emeralds could be powerful antidotes to a wide range of poisons and toxins, though there is no modern medical evidence of such an association.
• Emerald Inclusions
Inclusions found within emeralds, much like those within any gemstone, are distinctive characteristics, flaws, or foreign substances that become naturally encased within the crystal during its formation. Common inclusions include three-phase inclusions (solid, liquid, and gas), needle-like inclusions, fingerprint-like patterns, and crystal or mineral inclusions. These inclusions, sometimes referred to as "jardin" for their garden-like appearance, can affect the clarity and value of the emerald. To enhance clarity, many emeralds are treated with oils or resins, though this can impact their value and durability.
May Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
The May birthstone, traditionally associated with the Emerald, holds special meanings and symbolism that resonate with Taurus individuals and their unique characteristics.
• Taurus and Gemini
Emeralds are associated with the zodiac signs Taurus (April 20 to May 20) and Gemini (May 21 through June 20), overlapping with the birthstone month. This classic stone is also paired with the twentieth wedding anniversary, symbolizing deeper, more mature love and commitment developed over two decades, signified by the rich green color of an emerald. Additionally, emeralds are alternative selections for the fifty-fifth wedding anniversary, representing enduring love and commitment.
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• Renewal and Rebirth
The color green is typically associated with fertility, renewal, and rebirth, and so are luscious green emeralds. These gemstones are connected to nature and earth, and symbolize abundance and good fortunate, both in wealth and in other parts of life. Because the earth renews itself each year, emeralds are also often associated with immortality, longevity, and endurance, qualities often connected to platonic friendship as well as romantic relationships.
• Love and Compassion
Emeralds are renowned for their association with love and compassion, often referred to as the "stone of successful love." They are believed to open and nurture the heart, promoting emotional harmony and deep, unconditional love.
• Protection and Prosperity
Emeralds are also associated with protection and prosperity, believed to bring good fortune and safeguard against negative energies. Historically, they were worn as talismans to protect against evil and danger, providing a sense of security and stability.
• Celebrity
If you have an appreciation for the glamour of Hollywood and the world of cinema, wearing an emerald ring can be a delightful choice, knowing that it's a beloved gemstone among numerous celebrities and even royalty. This elegant style has graced the hands of renowned personalities, counting among its enthusiasts the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy and Victoria Beckham.
Emerald Mines
Emerald a precious gemstone, is sourced from diverse locations across the globe, each known for yielding emeralds of distinct colors and qualities. Emeralds are mined worldwide, with the most productive emerald mines for gemstone quality stones found in Colombia and Zambia. Smaller mines are found in Brazil, Afghanistan, Egypt, China, Australia, Norway, Italy, and other countries. In the United States, Emeralds are mined in Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Emerald History
Emerald boasts a storied history of utilization spanning centuries across diverse civilizations. In South America, the Incas and Aztecs also revered emeralds, considering them sacred and using them in religious ceremonies and as offerings to the gods.
Early Victorian jewelry often featured emeralds set in intricate gold designs adorned with motifs such as serpents, flowers, and hearts, symbolizing eternal love and devotion. During the Art Deco era emeralds were prized for their vibrant green hue and often featured prominently in striking, symmetrical pieces characterized by clean lines and abstract patterns.
Emerald Crystal Uses
Emeralds can be used for many homeopathic and alternative practices, including meditation, cleanses, and ceremonies. These gems help align the heart chakras for both physical and emotional balance and well-being, and help promote relaxation and serenity that can enhance other thoughtful practices, including improving mental acuity and memory. Because emeralds enhance peace and fulfillment, they can be a part of many spiritual practices, and are often included in altars, reflective spaces, or even elixirs. To make the most of an emerald’s spiritual properties, the gems should be used in full sunlight where their luster is its most powerful and it is possible to gaze deep into the stone.
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Vintage Emerald Rings & Jewelry
Emeralds have been valued for centuries, and therefore are easy to find in a wide range of vintage rings and jewelry styles. Often cut in the rectangular “emerald” shape to maximize beauty, color, and weight, as well as to put less pressure on the somewhat brittle stone, emeralds are found in many designs that evoke nature or have nature-inspired patterns such as flowers, leaves, or vines. This jewelry style was especially popular during the Victorian era, but emeralds are equally popular in Art Deco jewelry because of their bright color and bold geometry, both hallmarks of that design era.
Emeralds easily coordinate with both yellow gold and white gold, making them versatile gemstones for any jewelry preference. They are often accented with diamonds for extra sparkle, or can be used as accent themselves for central diamonds or blue or yellow gemstones such as sapphires or topaz.
With so much to offer in terms of beauty, style, and inspiration, what’s not to love about the May birthstone, the ever elegant emerald?
Vintage Engagement Rings For Everyone:
No matter which era is your favorite, these time-honored rings have a rich history and individualized character and will continue to have a timeless beauty and elegant appeal that is part of a legacy to pass on to future generations.
Find The Perfect Engagement Ring:
Vintage rings are prized not only for their beauty but also for their exquisite attention to detailing and faceting. If you’re looking for a ring with a sense of glamour, sophistication and vintage charm, explore our collection of May Birthstone Rings today!
Suzanne Sachs
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