MAY BIRTHSTONE EMERALD: Its Magic, History & Properties

Origin of May Birthstone Emerald

Birthstones are gemstones associated with the months of the year. Each birthstone possesses its own meanings and symbolisms, which are believed to benefit those born in its respective month.

For May, the birthstone is emerald. The designation of emerald as the May birthstone has roots in Eurasian cultures, particularly Arabian, Polish and Russian. In Europe, those old traditions fueled the popularity of emerald as the May birthstone from the 15th century through the 20th.

This position became permanent in 1912, when the American National Association of Jewelers established an official list of birthstones, with emerald as the birthstone for May.

Physical Characteristics of May Birthstone Emerald

May birthstone emerald is a stunning gemstone known for its rich green color and desirable physical properties.

1. Color

The most distinctive feature of emerald is its lush green color, which ranges from vivid and intense green to more subdued shades. The color comes from trace amounts of chromium, vanadium and iron within the crystal.

2. Transparency

Emeralds are typically transparent to translucent, allowing light to pass through the gemstone in varying degrees. However, tiny fractures and inclusions are common in emeralds, and can affect their transparency.

3. Hardness

Emeralds achieve a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making them relatively durable and suitable for everyday wear. However, the stone is still susceptible to scratching and chipping, especially if not handled with care.

4. Cleavage and Fracture

Emeralds have imperfect cleavage, and thus resist splitting along well-defined planes. Instead of cleaving, the stone fractures, which it does in a conchoidal manner, producing irregular-shaped fragments.

5. Crystal Structure

A member of the beryl mineral family, emeralds have a hexagonal crystal structure. This gives rough emeralds their characteristic prismatic shape, with six-sided columns and flat faces.

Popular Cuts for May Birthstone Emerald

To enhance its natural beauty and brilliance, the May birthstone emerald undergoes cutting and polishing. There are several shapes popular for emerald.

1. Emerald Cut

The emerald cut is the most iconic and traditional cut for emeralds. This pattern features a rectangular or square shape with stepped facets arranged parallel to the gemstone’s edges. Emerald cut emphasizes the stone’s clarity and color, while minimizing the visibility of inclusions.

2. Round Cut

Round-cut emeralds feature a circular shape with a brilliant faceting pattern, similar to that of round diamonds. While less common than other shapes, round-cut emeralds can showcase the gemstone’s vibrant color and brilliance.

3. Oval Cut

Oval-cut emeralds have an elongated shape with curved edges, resembling the profile of an egg. This cut maximizes the emerald’s brilliance while creating an elegant look.

4. Pear Cut

Also known as teardrop-cut, pear-cut emeralds exhibit a rounded outline on one side and pointed on the other, thus reproducing the shape of a droplet or pear. This cut allows for versatile designs, particularly as pendants and earrings.

5. Cushion Cut

Cushion-cut emeralds have a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, thus resembling a pillow or cushion. This cut combines the brilliance of a round cut with the elegance of an emerald cut.

6. Princess Cut

Princess-cut emeralds have a square or rectangular shape with sharp corners. This cut offers a modern and geometric look while showcasing the emerald’s color and clarity.

Historical Use of May Birthstone Emerald

In various cultures throughout history, emeralds have been popular for their beauty and symbolism.

1. Ancient Egypt

Egyptians prized emeralds, which signified fertility, rebirth and eternal youth. The Egyptian queen Cleopatra famously adorned herself with emeralds.

2. Ancient Greece and Rome

The Greeks and Romans revered emerald as a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. They believed emeralds could enhance fertility.

3. Aztec Empire

The Aztecs highly valued emeralds and considered them sacred. They associated emeralds with Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom and wind.

4. Indian Culture

In India, emerald is the gemstone of the planet Mercury. This stone is believed to bring eloquence and prosperity.

5. Medieval Europe

Emeralds were dear to European royalty and nobility of the Middle Ages. Believed to possess protective powers and bring good fortune, the stone often figured in crowns, jewelry and religious ornaments.

6. Islamic Culture

Emeralds were highly prized in Islamic cultures. The stone symbolized paradise, and was thus considered auspicious. The Prophet Muhammad himself reportedly valued the emerald.

Metaphysical Properties of May Birthstone Emerald

Across various cultures, emeralds are popular not only for their beauty but also for their symbolic meanings and spiritual significance.

1. Love and Rebirth

Emeralds are often associated with love, compassion and renewal. The stone symbolizes the renewal of life, and brings vitality and freshness to relationships.

2. Growth and Nature

The lush green color of emeralds signifies nature, growth and harmony. Hence, the stone is a symbol of connection to the earth and the natural world, thus representing fertility and abundance.

3. Spiritual Protection

In many cultures, emeralds are believed to have protective properties, shielding the wearer from negative energies and promoting spiritual growth and balance.

4. Wisdom and Intuition

Emeralds are associated with wisdom, intuition and insight. The stone enhances mental clarity and perception, helping individuals make wise decisions and navigate life’s challenges.

5. Royalty and Prestige

Throughout history, emeralds have been worn by royalty and nobility as symbols of power, wealth and prestige. The stone often sat among crown jewels and ceremonial regalia, where emerald signifies regal authority and status.

6. Healing Properties

Emeralds have been attributed with healing powers, particularly for ailments related to the heart, eyes and immune system. The stone is also thought to alleviate emotional stress and promote emotional healing.

Modern Uses of May Birthstone Emerald

In modern times, emeralds are highly valued and widely used in various applications, even beyond jewelry.

1. Fine Jewelry

Emeralds are a popular choice for high-end jewelry, such as rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The stone is often featured alongside diamonds or other gemstones to create exquisite and luxurious designs. One famous example is the Chalk Emerald, a beautiful 37.8-carat emerald set in a ring surrounded by diamonds. This gem is one of the largest and finest emeralds in the world.

2. Engagement Rings

While diamonds remain the classic choice for engagement rings, emeralds have gained popularity as an alternative option. Emerald engagement rings are prized for their unique beauty and symbolism of love and commitment.

3. Watches

Luxury watchmakers occasionally use emeralds to embellish the dials or bezels. The vibrant green color of emeralds adds a distinctive touch to the design of luxury watches.

4. Art and Sculpture

Some artists incorporate emeralds into their sculptures and artworks to create visually stunning pieces. Their rarity and unique color make emeralds an intriguing medium for artistic expression.

May Birthstone Color

May birthstone emerald is known for its vibrant green color, reminiscent of the lush foliage of spring. Thus, the May birthstone color is a rich green, though this can range from deep forest green to a lighter, more translucent hue.

This color aligns perfectly with the spring season, during which May falls in many parts of the world. On this account, the green color of emerald is not only visually striking, but also carries deep symbolic meanings, particularly of growth, renewal and vitality.

Sources of May Birthstone Emerald

Emeralds occur in several regions around the world. While Colombian emeralds remain the most coveted, those from other sources also have their own appeal.

1. Colombia

Colombia is renowned for producing most of the world’s emeralds, as well as some of the finest. The Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez mines in the Boyacá region are famous for yielding emeralds with exceptional color and clarity. Colombian emeralds are indeed highly prized for their deep, vivid green color, and are often the benchmark for quality in the gemstone industry.

2. Zambia

Zambia is another significant producer of emeralds, particularly from the Kagem and Grizzly mines. Zambian emeralds are known for their slightly bluish-green to pure green color. These emeralds often have a distinct and attractive color saturation, making them highly sought after among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

3. Brazil

Brazil has been a notable source of emeralds for centuries, with significant deposits found in the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia. Brazilian emeralds typically exhibit a range of green hues from light to dark, and may contain natural inclusions known as ‘jardin,’ which is rather characteristic of Brazilian emeralds.

4. Afghanistan

Afghanistan is also known for producing emeralds, particularly from the Panjshir Valley. Afghan emeralds typically have a lighter green color.

5. Other Locations

Emeralds also occur in other countries, such as Russia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, albeit in smaller quantities. These emeralds exhibit a range of colors and characteristics influenced by their geological origins.

Care and Maintenance of May Birthstone Emerald

Caring for May birthstone emerald requires attention to their unique properties. By following these tips, one can ensure that their emerald jewelry remains beautiful and well-maintained for years to come.

1. Gentle Handling

Emeralds are relatively soft gemstones compared to diamonds. To prevent accidental knocks or scratches, handle emeralds with care and store them separately from other jewelry, particularly harder stones.

2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Harsh cleaners can damage emeralds, particularly those with fractures filled with oil, resin or polymer. Instead of these chemicals, clean your emerald with mild soap and warm water using a soft brush or cloth.

3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Emeralds are sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, which may cause them to crack or fracture. Thus, avoid exposing an emerald to extreme heat or cold.

4. Regular Inspections

Periodically inspect your emerald jewelry for loose settings or damage. If you notice any issues, take your jewelry to a reputable jeweler for repair.

5. Avoid Extreme Activities

Remove your emerald jewelry before engaging in activities such as sports, gardening or heavy lifting, as these expose an emerald to potential harm.

6. Professional Cleaning

To maintain its brilliance and ensure its settings are secure, consider having your emerald jewelry professionally cleaned and annually inspected.

7. Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners

Contrary to popular belief, ultrasonic cleaners can be too harsh for emeralds and may damage the gemstone. Stick to gentle cleaning methods instead.

The Magic of May Birthstone Emerald

Throughout history, cultures around the world have cherished the May birthstone emerald. Serving as symbols of prosperity and vitality, emeralds adorn jewelry worn by both elites and everyday individuals. While prized chiefly for their rarity and beauty, emeralds also hold deeper meanings, particularly representing love, renewal and growth.

Do you like the May birthstone? Share this article with your friends and spread the word about the beauty of emerald!