May birthstone: emerald
The May birthstone is emerald, a deep green gem.
How to read it
Emerald has been the birthstone for May since the 1912 list. GIA calls it "the definition of green", and the International Gem Society describes the best emeralds as an even, deep green, some with blue undertones.
Also searched as: birthstone for May, emerald birthstone.
Where the name comes from
GIA traces "emerald" to smaragdos, ancient Greek for a green gem.
More birthstones
Sources
- May Birthstone: Emerald (GIA), Gemological Institute of America
- Birthstone Chart: Modern and Traditional Birthstones, International Gem Society
- The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, by George Frederick Kunz, 1913, J. B. Lippincott (Project Gutenberg edition)
Last reviewed September 27, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research