Source: monthlybirthstones.com
The May Birthstone is Emerald
Both the modern and the official May birthstone is the Emerald and thus the May birthstone color is green. The alternative birthstone for May is traditionally Agate, and in recent times also the green gemstone Chrysoprase.
Emerald is one of the Zodiac birthstones for Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21), and both Agate and Chrysoprase are Zodiac birthstones for the Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21) star sign.
Other birthday symbols include the birth flowers for May which are Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn.
‘Emerald’ comes from the Greek word “smaragdos” which means “green stone”, and Emeralds are associated with friendship, faithfulness and loyalty.
Besides being a meaningful May birthday gift, Emerald jewelry is also given to celebrate 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
Watch the short, informative videos below highlighting the history, symbolism and properties of Emeralds and Agate.
And take a fun quiz to discover some interesting trivia about Emeralds
The May Birthstone Color is Green
May’s birthstone color of green symbolizes the renewal of life in Spring, which starts in May in the northern hemisphere. The birthstone color comes from May’s birthstone Emerald, one of the four precious gemstones and one of the rarest, most valuable gems.
Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl and the vivid green color comes from trace elements of chromium or vanadium. Emerald crystals form over millions of years and although they can form under different geological conditions, the combination of the necessary elements occurring in the same place is very rare, hence Emeralds are only found in a few locations.
Emeralds typically contain characteristic inclusions which can be traced back to the country and even the mine of origin. Colombia is world renown for Emeralds and is the largest single source worldwide. Other primary locations are Zambia, Brazil and Zimbabwe and more recently Ethiopia. Emeralds are usually oiled to enhance the color and appearance of the stone and sometimes to mask the inclusions.
Lab created Emeralds, also known as synthetic Emeralds, are becoming a popular choice for those that prefer ethical, responsible jewelry. Traditional mining practices can have negative impacts both environmentally and socially, so choosing lab Emeralds circumvents issues we may not even be aware of. Lab Emeralds can also be easily tracked, so the consumer knows their purchase is not having an unknown effect somewhere earlier in the supply chain – coined ‘ethical sourcing‘. However, bear in mind that the manufacturing process of lab gemstones also has an impact, as does any technology involving energy and water. Synthetic gems are usually clear and free of the imperfections and inclusions usually found in natural gemstones. Overall, the cost of producing gems in a controlled environment is far less than the intensive labour and heavy machinery used in the mining process and so lab Emeralds have become a far more affordable alternative.
May birthstone jewelry set with Emerald gemstones, natural or lab created, is a meaningful gift for special birthdays in May.
Discover more about emerald gemstones and emerald history and symbolism.
Alternative May Birthstone Agate
The alternative birthstone for May is traditionally Agate, a distinctive banded stone that occurs in a variety of colors.
Agate is a type of quartz found inside hollow rocks (geodes) within volcanic rock and can vary from transparent to opaque.
The beautiful, banded patterns can form in a variety of colors and Agate slices are often used as decorative objects. Varieties that are not banded are not true agates such as Moss Agate and Sweetwater Agate, but nevertheless very similar in other respects.
There are many types of Agates such as Blue Lace Agate, Laguna Agate, Condor Agate, Fairburn Agate, Crazy Lace Agate, Thunder-Egg Agate and Sagenite Agate; each with their own fascinating colors and patterns.
Agate is found on all continents but mostly comes from mines in South America.
Discover more about the different types of Agate.
Alternative May Birthstone Chrysoprase
In recent times the green gemstone Chrysoprase has been added as a second alternative birthstone for May.
Chrysoprase is a variety of chalcedony containing small quantities of nickel and varies from beautiful apple-green to lovely deep green shades.
Historically the best quality Chrysoprase was found in Poland and the Czech Republic. However in the sixties a deposit was discovered in Queensland, Australia which has become a major source and known as Australian jade. Other locations are Germany, Russia and the USA.
The translucent, even texture and color of this gemstone makes it ideal for beads and cameos.
Discover more about the Chrysoprase gemstone.
May Birthday Symbols and Zodiac Signs
Birthstone: Emerald
Alternative Birthstones: Agate and Chrysoprase
Birthstone color: Green
Birth flower: Lily of the Valley
Zodiac star sign: Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
Zodiac star sign: Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21)
20th and 35th Wedding Anniversary: Emerald
May Sign of the Zodiac
May Sign of Zodiac – Taurus (Apr 21 to May 21)
The main gemstone for Taurus is Sapphire and other stones include Azurite, Coral, Amber, Emerald, Rose Quartz and Turquoise. Taureans are fortunate to have two of the four precious gemstones – Sapphires and Emeralds.
Sapphire is a beautiful gemstone that is highly valued for its stunning deep royal blue color.
The formation of sapphires takes place over many eons in the Earth’s crust and requires specific conditions to form. It is composed of trace elements such as iron, titanium, chromium and vanadium, which give the stone its unique blue hue. The more iron in a deposit, the darker the blue color. Sapphires also form in other colors such as yellow, pink or green.
The formation process of sapphire involves high temperatures and pressures that force the trace elements to combine with aluminum oxide molecules to create a particular crystal structure. This crystal structure gives sapphire its unique appearance and makes it one of the most sought after gemstones in the world.
Taurus Zodiac Stone Emerald
Emeralds are one of the most precious and beautiful gems in the world. They have been used for centuries in jewelry, ornaments, and other decorative objects. Emerald is the traditional birthstone for those born in May.
Emeralds form in a variety of ways, from magma chambers to hydrothermal vents. The color of an emerald is determined by its trace elements, such as chromium and vanadium. These elements give the gemstone its unique green hue. There are also different types of emeralds, including Brazilian emeralds and Colombian emeralds.
In addition to being used as jewelry and decorations, emeralds can also be used for industrial purposes such as cutting tools or abrasives. They may even be used in medical treatments such as radiation therapy or cancer treatment drugs.
No matter how they are formed or what they are used for, it is clear that emeralds will continue to fascinate us with their beauty and mystery for years to come.
May Sign of Zodiac – Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21)
The main gemstone for Gemini is traditionally Agate and other crystals include Chrysoprase, Citrine, Pearl, White Sapphire and Moonstone
Agate is a type of cryptocrystalline quartz that is formed in cavities and veins of igneous rocks. It is composed of silicon dioxide, which gives it its unique colors and patterns. Agate can be found in many different colors, including red, blue, yellow, green, purple and brown. The most common pattern found on agates are bands or stripes that form concentric rings or swirls.
The formation of agates involves a combination of trace elements such as iron and aluminum that give the stone its unique coloration. In addition to these trace elements, agates can also contain other minerals such as mica or calcite which can create interesting patterns on the surface.
Agates have been used since ancient times for jewelry making and decorative purposes due to their beautiful colors and intricate patterns. They are still popular today for their various uses in jewelry making and home décor items such as bookends and paperweights.
Gemini Zodiac Stone Chrysoprase
One of the Zodiac crystals for Gemini sign is Chrysoprase. This affordable green gemstone is also an alternative May birthstone to the traditional emerald.
Chrysoprase is a type of chalcedony containing small quantities of nickel which causes the green hues. Shades range from deep green to beautiful apple-green.
Chrysoprase was mined primarily in Czech Republic and Poland. However a high quality deposit was discovered in Queensland, Australia which has now become the major source. Chrysoprase from Australia is known as Australian Jade. Other deposits occur in the USA, Russia and Germany.
The color, even texture and translucence makes this gemstone ideal for cameos and beads.
The May Birth Flowers are Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn
The two birth flowers for May are the fragrant white flowers of the Lily of the Valley and the Hawthorn, which both flower in spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley
The primary birthday flower of May is Lily of the Valley, a scented woodland plant that blooms in spring.
The first part of the scientific name Convallaria majalis means ‘in the valley’, referring to the European wooded valleys where the plant grows naturally, and the second part means ‘belonging to’ or ‘of May’.
The Lily of the Valley has been used as a floral emblem in Yugoslavia, Finland and Norway; and it has become customary to give this flower as a symbol of spring on May Day in France.
The poem “Lily of the Valley” by Paul Laurence Dunbar celebrates it as the “sweetest of the flowers” that blooms in the vernal days. He likens it to a nurse’s emblem, growing more like its ideal every day.
In the classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Victor Hugo the character Esmeralda wears a garland of Lily of the Valley flowers. The delicate blooms symbolize her innocence and purity amidst the dark and tragic events unfolding in the story.
May Birth Flower: Hawthorn
The second flower for May is the Hawthorn, a common shrub to small tree that also produces fragrant white flowers in the spring, known as the May-tree in some countries.
The red edible fruit known as ‘haws’ and the thorny branches have given rise to other common names such as quickthorn, whitethorn, thornapple, and hawberry.
Hawthorns feature in many cultural customs across Europe and Britain.
The language of flowers introduced in Victorian times says that the Hawthorn and Lily of the Valley symbolize happiness, humility and sweetness.
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