--- title: "Discover the Birthstone for May: Emerald" url: https://gittelsonjewelers.com/discover-the-birthstone-for-may-all-about-emeralds/ date: 2026-05-13 modified: 2026-05-14 author: "Sammy" description: "The birthstone for May, emerald, vibrates with love, compassion, and forgiveness, bringing harmony and balancing relationships with its rich, green allure." categories: - "birthstones" - "Gemstones" tags: - "emerald birthstone for May" - "may birthstone" - "The wizard of OZ Emerald City" image: https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Discover-the-birthstone-for-May-at-Gittelson-Jewelers-Minneapolis-1024x577.jpg word_count: 990 --- # Discover the Birthstone for May: Emerald ## Is Emerald The Birthstone For May? Why yes it is… Emerald stones are known as a crystal that aids ‘successful love’, as their vibration opens up the heart chakra and thymus chakra, also known as the higher heart chakra. This may gemstone not only symbolizes the birth of new beginnings during the birth month of May but is also celebrated for its healing properties and profound emerald significance. Many believe that the healing properties of emerald help soothe the mind and promote emotional as well as physical well-being. Additionally, the birthstone meaning of emerald reflects a deep connection to nature and renewal. > The finest emeralds have a rich green color, sometimes touched with a hint of blue, of intriguing translucence, depth, and clarity. Sometimes relationships need thymus chakra energy to bring balance back when negative things that have happened have made the relationship sour and unbalanced. The [birthstone of May, the emerald](https://www.igi.org/colored-stones-all-about-emerald-birthstone-of-may/), can bring a wonderful energy to aid peaceful and harmonious conditions in one’s life. This gemstone is treasured not only in birth celebrations but also in fine jewelry pieces that capture its natural allure. [![Natural Green Emerald](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Emerald_Medium_Green_BB_1024x1024.png)](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Emerald_Medium_Green_BB_1024x1024.png) ### Emeralds in culture You probably have vivid memories of the most glorified emeralds in the everlasting movie “[The Wizard of Oz](https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/wizard-oz),”. In this story, a tornado rips through Kansas, and Dorothy ([Judy Garland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Garland)) and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route, they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. Together, they make their way to the vibrant, scintillating greens of The Emerald City. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) to earn his help. [![The emerald city in Wizard of Oz](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MV5BMTU1Mzg2ODcwNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzg4NTkxNA@@._V1_-1024x747.jpg)](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MV5BMTU1Mzg2ODcwNV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzg4NTkxNA@@._V1_.jpg)The Emerald City. Wizard of Oz 1939 ## The Birthstone of May: Meaning and History The finest emeralds have a rich green color, sometimes touched with a hint of blue, of intriguing translucence, depth, and clarity. In terms of birth, this may gemstone’s birthstone meaning is imbued with the energy of growth and renewal that many have admired over centuries. Its emerald significance goes beyond mere aesthetics, symbolizing eternal love and vitality—aspects that have attracted royalty from Egyptian pharaohs to Inca emperors. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emeralds and used them in her royal adornments. The legendary Crown of the Andes, fashioned in colonial South America, is one example of how the Spanish revered this birthstone. According to lore, its largest stone—now called the Atahualpa emerald—was taken from the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa, by conquistador Francisco Pizarro. The emerald and gold treasures recovered from the sunken 17th-century Spanish galleon [*Nuestra Señora de Atocha*](http://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/sunken-treasure-atocha/) represent a small fraction of the colonial riches sent to Spain from the New World. ~ GIA.edu [![The Crown of Andes](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/crown-of-andes-750x750-1.png)](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/crown-of-andes-750x750-1.png)The Crown of the Andes boasts an impressive 24 ct emerald center stone and 442 additional emeralds set in the intricately crafted golden headpiece. Photo: the Metropolitan Museum of Art ### Where are emeralds found? Colombia has been the source of the finest emeralds for more hundreds of years. Colombian emeralds are the standard by which all others are measured. Three mining sites in Colombia are particularly noteworthy: Muzo, Chivor, and Coscuez. Each locality produces a range of colors but, generally speaking, darker tones of pure green emeralds come from Muzo. Emeralds that are lighter in tone and slightly bluish-green are associated with Chivor. Slightly yellowish-green emeralds are unearthed in Coscuez. The [birthstone of May](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/emeralds-mysitcal-may-birthstone/) is also found in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sophisticated Belmont mine is one of the most productive sites for this green gemstone. Capoeirana is another important locality, a rugged region worked largely by independent miners and small-scale operations. ### How to care for your emerald Emerald is a 7.5 to 8 on the [Mohs scale of hardness](http://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/more-than-mohs-scale-gem-durability/), so it is more susceptible to scratching than a diamond. The diamond ranks 10 on the Mohs scale. The May gemstone is often treated to improve its color or clarity. Common treatment methods include: - Dyeing: Paler emeralds with multiple fractures may be dyed green to enhance their color. - Fracture Filling: Oils, waxes, and artificial resins are often used to fill surface-reaching fractures in emeralds. The goal is to improve the apparent clarity. The volume of filler material present can range from minor to significant; the different substances have varying degrees of stability. The [emerald birthstone](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/birthstone-jewelry-guide/) requires some special care: - Avoid exposure to heat, and changes in air pressure (such as in an airline cabin). - Avoid harsh chemicals. - Never put an emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the vibrations and heat can cause the filler to sweat out of fractures. Filled emeralds can also be damaged by exposure to hot water used for washing dishes. The safest way to [clean emeralds](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/free-jewelry-cleaning-at-gittelson-jewelers/) is to gently scrub them with a soft brush and warm, soapy water. [![](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May-Emerald-birthstone.png)](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May-Emerald-birthstone.png) ## How to Buy an Emerald Given the rich green hues of emerald, it was inevitable that we would fall in love with this beautiful gemstone. From elegant rings to stunning earrings, emerald jewelry is a popular choice for those who want a touch of history and the birthstone meaning of May incorporated into their style. Many jewelers in Minneapolis and other twin cities jewelry shops carry exquisite pieces of birthstone jewelry downtown Minneapolis that highlight the natural allure of emeralds. If you are looking for trusted professionals, Gittelson Jewelers is renowned among jewelers in Minneapolis for crafting exceptional emerald jewelry that celebrates both style and the healing properties of this extraordinary gemstone. Treat yourself or a loved one to an emerald that captures the exuberance of the season, and discover the unique blend of traditional allure and modern elegance that each piece holds. [Contact us today](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/contact-us/) to see [ready-to-wear selections](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/shop/) or to [custom-design](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/custom-jewelry-design/) the emerald ring or pendant of your dreams. [![Contact Gittelson Jewelers in downtown Minneapolis](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Gittelson-Blog-Banner.png)](https://gittelsonjewelers.com/contact-us/)