May birthstone: Emerald
Emerald illustration
May claims emerald: lush green, a little dramatic, and famous for looking ancient even when the ring is new.
What emerald is
Emerald is green beryl. Color comes mainly from chromium or vanadium. Many natural stones show inclusions (sometimes nicknamed jardin, “garden”), so crystal-clear emeralds are the expensive exceptions, not the rule.
How May got emerald
Modern Western birthstone lists put emerald in May. Green as a spring association is an old poetic habit; the standardized month chart is newer jewelry culture.
Birth month vs zodiac gems
Taurus and Gemini cover May’s sun-sign window. Their gem stories can overlap in theme (growth, air, chatter) without replacing emerald as the May month stone.
Find your weekday
Use the birthday calculator for the weekday behind any May birthday.
Common questions
What is the May birthstone?
Emerald, the green variety of beryl, is the primary May stone in modern Western jewelry tradition.
Why do emeralds often have inclusions?
Emerald crystals commonly form with internal features. Jewelers often tolerate more inclusions than they would in sapphire or diamond. Treatments like oiling are also common.
Is green glass the same as emerald?
No. Emerald is beryl colored by chromium or vanadium. Glass and other look-alikes can imitate the color without being emerald.