The May birthstone, emerald, has long been adored because it symbolizes renewal and rebirth. Emerald is the ideal color for spring and is frequently referred to as the definition of green. The emerald, the birthstone for May, has captivated people’s hearts and minds throughout history, from the poetic description of Ireland as “the Emerald Isle” to the famous gemstone’s own vivid green hue.
Variations of this calming, lush green color conjure up gardens. Emeralds were originally thought to be able to treat conditions like cholera and malaria, and legend has it that wearing one can increase one’s intelligence and quickness. It is now the traditional gift for a couple’s 20th and 35th wedding anniversary.
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Why does May have an emerald theme?
Emerald is the birthstone for May. Since Cleopatra governed Egypt, the Incas conquered the Andes Mountains, and rulers ruled India, this green diamond has been prized for its beauty. The birthstone for May is glossy green, representing richness and abundance, passion and love, success, and knowledge.
Continue reading to find out more about May’s birthstone, emerald value, emerald cleaning advice, frequently asked questions, and more.
May Birthstone History & Symbolism
Emeralds’ brilliant color conjures up ideas of development and prosperity. The birthstone for May has favorable meanings in many different cultures, making it a respected gemstone all around the world. The emerald is a representation of unwavering devotion. The emerald is a representation of the heart and all forms of love in Hinduism since the color green is related to the heart chakra. Roman mythology, which associates the emerald with Venus, the goddess of love, is a reflection of love symbology.
The emerald birthstone was associated with fertility and luck during the Middle Ages. In the past, emeralds were used to treat ailments related to the body, such as removing impatience from the body, reviving weary travelers, and fending against the devil. These priceless deep emerald gemstones are used to embellish numerous crowns and pieces of royal jewelry.
Today, emeralds are prized for their beauty all around the world. Emeralds are reputed to be an effective stone for patience and manifestation. To connect with the beneficial qualities of this stone, those who were born in the month of May wear emerald birthstone rings, necklaces, and brooches.
Where is the May birthstone found?
An emerald mine is most likely to be found where vanadium, chromium, and beryllium coexist. South American emeralds are the most well-known.
Some of the world’s best emerald gems come from Colombia. Colombian emeralds are green with a faint blue tint because to its low iron level. Colombian emeralds often have little inclusions or impurities, which is a characteristic that is uncommon in emeralds.
There are emerald mines in:
States of America
Emeralds can also be produced synthetically. Another fantastic option is lab-grown emeralds, which have a reduced carbon footprint than gems that are mined.
Every year, artificial emerald technology improves. Colombian emeralds made in laboratories are now for sale all over the world. Remember that lab-created Colombian emeralds are not really Colombian emeralds but are dubbed as such as a measure of quality when buying a synthetic emerald.
The Value of the May Birthstone
The vivid green hue and clarity of emeralds make them magnificent gemstones highly prized. Emeralds are created using a unique chemistry. Emeralds’ visual attractiveness is influenced by the chemical components that govern how intensely green the hue will appear. The classic emerald green hue of the May birthstone is added by chemicals chromium or vanadium, which are combined with the mineral beryl. When chromium or vanadium levels in a beryl stone are insufficient, the stone is categorized as a light-green beryl rather than an emerald.
Because of their low iron concentration, Colombian emeralds are among the best emerald specimens, as was previously established. The most expensive emerald specimens, which are from Colombia, have a little bluish tint. The hue of the gems in your jewelry is, of course, a personal choice. Emeralds of stunning purity are mined in Zambia. Compared to Colombian emeralds, emeralds from Zambia are a deeper shade of green.
Emeralds are gemstones of Type 3. By this word, it is meant that due to the way they form, emeralds frequently have inclusions. Small flaws within the diamond called inclusions give it its emerald quality. A less-included emerald will cost more than an emerald with more obvious inclusions. A genuine emerald with no inclusions at all is extremely rare.
To increase longevity and the overall shine of the gemstone, emeralds are frequently filled with resin or cedar oil.
May Birthstone Cleaning and Care Tips
On the Mohs scale of hardness, the emerald stone ranges from 7.5 to 8.0. For comparison, chalk has a hardness of three while a diamond has a hardness of ten. The emerald stone is robust and resistant to scratches. However, because emeralds contain inclusions, daily and extended wear can harm them.
An emerald will gradually lose some of its luster with daily use, and the margins of the facets may degrade. Using a solution of warm water and soap is the ideal method for cleaning emeralds. Emeralds can be submerged in water, but take care not to leave them submerged for too long. Watch your emerald jewelry gleam like new as you gently dry it with a microfiber towel.
When cleaning your emerald jewelry, avoid using methods that involve steam, chemicals, or excessive heat because doing so could shatter the stone.
The green birthstone for May, why?
The stunning green emerald is the birthstone for May. It is a type of beryl mineral, and vanadium or chromium, in minute proportions, gives it its green hue.
Along with the other birthstones, it was made the official birthstone for May in 1912, but before to that, it was also connected to the May-born zodiac signs of Taurus and Gemini. Leavy explains that because Taurus is the sign that is more prevalent in May, Venus, the ruling planet of Taurus, is usually more firmly connected with Taurus.
Leavy tells mbg that “entire books have been written about emeralds and their ties in history.” “Emerald, for instance, is thought to be one of the stones of the holy grail. Additionally, before we had the ability to distinguish crystals more accurately than we do now, many green stones were simply referred to be emeralds, “She clarifies.
She continues, “but emeralds are also found in Brazil and Indiayou may find them in a variety of areas. Today, high-quality emeralds primarily originate from Columbia.”
What stone symbolizes May?
The emerald, the May birthstone and a representation of rebirth, is thought to bestow upon its wearer wisdom, luck, and youth. The Greek term emerald, which is derived from the word smaragdus, literally translates to “green.”
What color is May?
The birthstone for May is emerald, which is also referred to as the stone of joy and vigor. It stood for fertility and renewal in antiquity. The emerald is the ideal stone for spring because of its vivid green hue and association with new life. Even though emeralds have imperfections or inclusions, these characteristics give them uniqueness. The inclusions in the emerald are referred to as jardins, the French term for gardens, since they resemble small wildflower patches in a lush, grassy field. Emeralds were said to treat migraines, epilepsy, and to revive the spirit in medieval medicine.
What stones represent the months of May and June?
There are three birthstones for June, and each one is exquisite in its own way. Additionally, each of the three June birthstones has a unique symbolic meaning. The birthstone list has more recently included moonstone and alexandrite. While Alexandrite is a more recently discovered gem, pearls and moonstones have a long history of association with them. In fact, over the past few decades, it has started to gain greater attention.
The Origins
The birthstones for June, moonstone and alexandrite, originate from various parts of the world. Chinese, Japanese, Australian, Philippine, and French Polynesian waters are among those where pearls can be found. On the other hand, Russia’s mountains have always been the only source of alexandrite. However, Brazil is where a sizable deposit was found. Among the countries with the highest exports of moonstones are the United States, Brazil, and India. This birthstone for June has a special color shift depending on the illumination. It can have an emerald-like green appearance during the day, but it can also have a blue shine under fluorescent lighting and a purple hue under incandescent lighting. It is a popular choice for birthstone jewelry because of its characteristic of appearing green in daylight and differently at night or under incandescent light.
Emerald was born in what month?
The May birthstone, emerald, has a lovely bright tone and carries the deep green hue of Spring. They are viewed as a representation of love and rebirth.
Emerald is a type of stone.
Emerald is a gemstone and a type of beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6) that has been tinted green by minute amounts of chromium or, occasionally, vanadium. On the Mohs scale, beryl has a hardness of 7.58.
What is the birthstone for Gemini?
The color of the Gemini birthstone represents purity and soothes anxiety. Light Amethyst is the birthstone color for anyone born in June or under the twins’ zodiac sign.
What crystal represents May?
Emerald is the birthstone for May, according to the American Gem Society. Agate is the customary alternate gemstone for May. Rough and polished varieties of Emerald and Agate are available at Crystal Joys.
When is the birthstone emerald?
The birthstone for May is emerald. It is the ideal stone for the month of May because of its recognizable green hue, which is closely associated with spring and rebirth.