May Birthstone
Not every green gemstone gets to call itself an emerald. The stone has to meet a specific chemical requirement first, one that rules out plenty of green stones that might otherwise pass for the real thing. Emerald's reputation as one of history's most coveted gemstones stretches back over four thousand years, with some of the earliest known emerald mines located in Egypt and dated to as early as 1500 BC. The stone's rich green color has long been associated with renewal and growth, themes that made it a natural fit for royalty and religious symbolism across cultures. That deep-rooted history is part of why emerald remains one of the four traditionally recognized precious gemstones today, alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire. At JTV, we've spent years sourcing genuine emeralds, cut into rings, necklaces, and earrings that meet that exact standard. Here's what actually separates true emerald from every other green gemstone, and why it's held onto its precious reputation for thousands of years.
Shop May Birthstone Jewelry
Check Out Our Blog
What Actually Qualifies As A Real Emerald
A few essential facts explain why emerald is held to a stricter standard than most green gemstones:
- It Belongs To The Beryl Family: Emerald is a variety of beryl, the same mineral family that produces aquamarine and morganite.
- Chromium And Vanadium Are Required: For a green beryl to be classified as a true emerald, its color must come specifically from chromium and vanadium.
- Only Green Counts As Emerald: Unlike some gemstones, emerald only exists in shades of green, with no other accepted color variation.
- Hardness Sits At 7.5 On The Mohs Scale: This makes emerald durable enough for regular wear, though slightly softer than sapphire or ruby.
- Inclusions Are Common And Expected: Natural emeralds often contain visible inclusions, sometimes called "jardin," which are considered normal rather than flaws.
- Explore The Full Calendar Of Birthstones: Read our complete Birthstone Guide by Month to see how every month's stone earned its place.
These details explain why not every green stone gets to carry the emerald name, no matter how similar it looks.
Emerald's Place Among the World's Big Four Gems
Emerald has held a spot among the world's most recognized precious gemstones for thousands of years.
Why Emerald Is Considered One Of The Big Four
Alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire, emerald is classified as one of the four traditionally recognized precious gemstones, a status based on rarity, hardness, and historical demand. That reputation has held steady for centuries, even as other gemstones have risen and fallen in popularity.
That classification isn't just a marketing term; it reflects centuries of consistent demand across cultures that had no contact with one another, from ancient Rome to Mughal India to European royal courts. Few gemstones have maintained that level of cross-cultural desirability for as long as the Big Four have, which is part of why they still command a different kind of attention in the jewelry world than trendier stones that rise and fade within a generation. Emerald's place among them isn't about rarity alone; it comes down to a combination of durability, color intensity, and a reputation that has simply never gone out of style.
Cleopatra's Documented Love of Emerald
Cleopatra was famously devoted to emeralds, reportedly claiming ownership of Egypt's emerald mines during her reign and wearing the stone extensively. Her association with the gem helped cement its early reputation as a symbol of power and status.
Emerald's Long History Of Symbolic Meaning
Emerald has been associated with wisdom, love, and friendship across multiple cultures and centuries, often given as a gift meant to represent enduring bonds. That symbolism is part of why it remains such a popular choice for both birthstone jewelry and meaningful gifts.
In ancient Rome, emerald was even associated with the goddess Venus, linking the stone to love and fertility long before it became tied to a specific birth month. Medieval Europeans believed emeralds could reveal the truth of a lover's promises, which made it a popular choice for betrothal jewelry centuries before the modern engagement ring tradition took hold. That thread of meaning, love, loyalty, and truthfulness has followed the stone across eras and continents, and it's part of why emerald still feels like a deliberate choice rather than a default one. Choosing it as a gift carries that same weight today.
The Emerald Varieties Behind Our May Collection
From classic solitaire settings to more detailed statement designs, our May collection reflects the full range of what emerald has to offer. Whatever style or price point you're drawn to, explore the full year in Shop All Birthstone Jewelry.
Emerald Jewelry
Our emerald collection spans rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in a range of settings, from simple solitaire pieces to more detailed statement designs. We carry both natural and lab-created stones, giving shoppers options across different budgets.
May Birthstone Jewelry
This collection is curated specifically around emerald as May's official birthstone, separate from our wider emerald catalog. It's the natural starting point if you're shopping for a May birthday rather than emerald varieties in general.
Frequently Asked Questions About The May Birthstone
True emerald must be beryl colored specifically by chromium and vanadium, not just any green mineral.
Emerald is softer than diamond, ranking 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale compared to diamond's 10.
Natural emerald commonly contains inclusions, sometimes called "jardin," which are considered normal rather than defects.
Yes, gem-quality emerald is considered rare, which is part of why it's classified alongside diamond, ruby, and sapphire as one of the four traditional precious gemstones.
Yes, lab-created emerald shares the same chemical composition as natural emerald, just grown differently.
Yes, we carry both natural and lab-created emerald across rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, giving shoppers options at a range of price points.
