May Birthstone: Emerald
The May birthstone is emerald. Emerald is the green variety of beryl, and almost every emerald has inclusions you can see, which the trade calls the jardin, or garden. Below: where it is mined, how to choose it, treatments to ask about, its history and how to clean it.
Emerald facts
| Color | Green |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Beryl |
| Hardness | 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale (diamond is 10) |
| Main sources | Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| Anniversary gem | 20th and 35th wedding anniversary |
Choosing emerald
- The most prized emeralds are bluish green to pure green with vivid color. Stones that are too light are called green beryl, not emerald.
- Emeralds almost always have visible inclusions, which the trade calls the jardin, or garden.
- Emeralds are usually cut as rectangles, the shape known as the emerald cut.
Emerald treatments
- Filling is common: oils, waxes and artificial resins are put into cracks that reach the surface so they show less. The fillers differ in how stable they are, and the amount can be small or large.
- Pale emeralds with many cracks are sometimes dyed green to improve the color.
Is emerald good for everyday wear?
Emerald is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, so it scratches more easily than diamond. A filled emerald can be harmed by heat, harsh chemicals, changes in air pressure (such as in an airplane cabin) and even hot water from washing dishes. Take an emerald ring off before housework.
Emerald history
- Cleopatra was known for her love of emerald.
- Colombia's Muzo, Chivor and Coscuez mines are the best-known sources of fine emerald.
How to clean emerald
- Warm, soapy water and a soft brush: always safe.
- Ultrasonic cleaner: never: the vibration and heat can make the filler in a treated emerald sweat out.
- Steam cleaner: not recommended.
Scrub gently with a soft brush and warm, soapy water. Avoid heat, hot water and harsh chemicals.
May birthstone and birth flower
May also has two birth flowers: the lily of the valley and hawthorn, which stand for happiness, sweetness and hope. The Birth Flower Finder covers every month.
Buying for someone not born in May? The Birthstone Finder shows every month's stones and colors in one chart. Emerald is also given for wedding anniversaries; the Anniversary Calculator shows which one is coming up next. If the gift is a surprise, a birthday countdown counts down to the day.
Birthstones for other months
May Birthstone questions
What is the May birthstone?
Emerald. It is the only birthstone for May on the modern US list.
What color is the May birthstone?
Emerald: green. The most prized emeralds are bluish green to pure green with vivid color. Stones that are too light are called green beryl, not emerald.
Are emerald and aquamarine related?
Yes. Both are beryl, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Emerald is the green variety, and a stone too light to count as emerald is called green beryl; aquamarine, a March birthstone, is the pale blue to blue-green kind. Most cut aquamarines have no inclusions you can see, while emeralds almost always do.
Is emerald an anniversary gem?
Yes. GIA gives emerald for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
Published October 7, 2026. Last updated October 7, 2026.