May-Emerald

The emerald, May's birthstone, has been adored for thousands of years, bringing about rebirth and renewal. Known to most as the quintessential color green, emerald birthstone is the ultimate color for spring. From the poetic description of Ireland as "the Emerald Isle" to the vibrant green of the famous gemstone itself—the May birthstone emerald has captured hearts and minds throughout the ages.

Emerald Birthstone Meaning & History

From Egyptian pharaohs to Inca emperors, emeralds have fascinated royalty. Cleopatra was enamored with emeralds and utilized them in her royal trinkets. The legendary Crown of the Andes, crafted in colonial South America, is an example of how the Spanish adored the May birthstone. According to legend, its largest stone—now known as the Atahualpa emerald—was confiscated by conquistador Francisco Pizarro from the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa. The emerald birthstone and gold treasures recovered from the sunk 17th-century Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha represent a minuscule fraction of colonial riches shipped to Spain during the colonial period from New World colonies.

The etymology of the word "emerald" is derived from smaragdos of ancient Greek, meaning simply a green gem. The Roman author Pliny the Elder, who died in the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, recorded in his encyclopedic Natural History that "nothing greens greener." He further mentioned that the May birthstone possessed therapeutic properties which also assisted gem cutters: "(they) have no better method of restoring their eyes than by looking at the emerald, its soft, green color comforting and removing their weariness and lassitude." Science has proved this belief today. Green color reduces stress and eye strain.

Where Are Emeralds Found?

For over 500 years, Colombia has been considered the source of the best emeralds. It is to this day regarded as the standard by which all other emeralds are measured. Three notable mining sites in Colombia include Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez. There is a variation in color for all localities but, on average, darker pure green emeralds come from Muzo. Chivor-associated emeralds are lighter in tone and slightly bluish-green. Slightly yellowish-green emeralds are found in Coscuez.

The May birthstone occurs in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. One of the better producers of the green birthstone is the sophisticated Belmont mine. Capoeira is another important locality, a rugged region worked largely by independent miners and small-scale operations.

The May birthstone is also found in Africa. Zambia is a significant source, and mines in the Ndola Rural Restricted Area are known for producing emeralds that are bluish-green and darker in tone. Pakistan and Afghanistan are important producers as well.

Emerald Birthstone Care & Cleaning

Emerald is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so it is more prone to scratching than a diamond, which ranks 10 on the scale. The May birthstone is often treated to enhance its color or clarity. Common treatment methods include:

1. Dyeing: Paler emeralds with multiple fractures may be dyed green to enhance their color.

2. Filling of Fracture: In emeralds, filling surface-reaching fractures is done by the application of oils, waxes, and artificial resins. It aims to minimize the fracture visibility and enhance apparent clarity. The volume of the filler material present may vary from minor to significant; different substances have varying stability levels.

Special care must be exercised with the emerald birthstone: Avoid heat exposure, air-pressure changes (like on a flight in an airline cabin), and harsh chemicals. Don't put an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the vibration and heat can make the filler sweat out of cracks. Also, filled emeralds can be damaged from being in hot water when doing the dishes. The safest way to clean emeralds is with a soft brush and warm, soapy water.

The May birthstone is perfectly suited to the celebration of life blooming everywhere. Given the rich green hues of emerald, it was inevitable that we would fall under its spell. Productive mines around the world ensure that all who love green or are born in May will continue to be enchanted. Now you can treat yourself – or a loved one – to an emerald that captures the exuberance of the season. Learn more about how to pick a beautiful emerald with our Emerald Buying Guide.