The May birthstone is the emerald — the velvety green gem that has stood for renewal and enduring love since antiquity. At Alya Stone, May is marked with lab-grown emeralds: the same green beryl prized by Cleopatra, grown above ground and set in solid 9k recycled gold across the Aster and Ellis charm lines. This guide covers what makes the emerald May's stone, what it has meant across cultures, and how to wear it.
What is an emerald?
An emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl, coloured by traces of chromium (and sometimes vanadium) that give it its unmistakable deep, slightly cool green. It sits at 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale — hard, though emeralds are typically more included than other gems, so they reward a little care. A lab-grown emerald is exactly the same green beryl, crystallised in a controlled environment rather than mined: the same mineral, the same colour, the same character — simply a cleaner, more traceable origin.
| Stone |
Emerald (green beryl) |
| Colour |
Lush, slightly cool green |
| Hardness |
7.5–8 on the Mohs scale |
| Symbolism |
Renewal, love, growth and hope |
| Star signs |
Taurus & Gemini |
Meaning and symbolism
The emerald is the stone of renewal and the green of new life — small wonder it belongs to May, the heart of spring. Its colour has long been read as growth, hope and rebirth, and its deeper meaning is loyal, enduring love: emeralds were exchanged as tokens of devotion and were believed to reveal the truth of a lover's heart. It has also carried associations with wisdom, patience and clear sight — the green that the eye finds most restful, made permanent in stone.
History and folklore
Emeralds have been mined for at least four thousand years, beginning near the Red Sea in Egypt, where the mines later took the name of Cleopatra — who adored the stone and wore it as a sign of power. The Romans treasured it too; Pliny the Elder wrote that nothing is greener, and legend has it the Emperor Nero watched the games through a cool emerald. From the sixteenth century, the richest emeralds of all came from the Muzo and Chivor mines of Colombia, where their depth of colour set the standard the world still measures by. The name itself travelled the same long road — from the Greek smaragdos, "green gem," through Latin and Old French esmeralde. The lab-grown chapter is the newest: the same green beryl, told a cleaner way.
Emerald and the star signs
May opens under Taurus (until around 20 May) and closes under Gemini (from 21 May). Tradition links the emerald's loyalty and love of beauty to Venus-ruled Taurus, and its associations with wit and clear communication to quicksilver Gemini — two flattering readings of the same green stone. As always, we'd let the birthday, not the horoscope, do the choosing.
How to wear and gift the May birthstone
Emerald green is one of the most flattering colours in jewellery — it warms against yellow gold and cools beautifully against white. Within the Curation Suite:
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As the anchor: the Aster May Emerald Charm frames a single lab-grown emerald in vintage-inspired ribbed gold — quiet, saturated colour on a daily chain.
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As the layer: the Ellis May Emerald Charm adds pavé detailing, made to sit among initials, numbers and symbols — or beside another month's stone in a family curation.
An emerald charm makes a generous May birthday gift, a twentieth- or thirty-fifth-anniversary token (both traditionally marked by emerald), or the green centre of a curation that will one day hold a whole family's months side by side.
May birthstone FAQ
What is the birthstone for May?
The emerald — the green variety of beryl and one of the most treasured gems in history. Emerald is May's sole birthstone on every major modern list, with no widely used traditional alternate; agate was occasionally cited in older sources, but the emerald has long stood alone.
What does the May birthstone symbolise?
Renewal, love, growth and hope. Its green is the colour of spring and rebirth, and across cultures the emerald has stood for loyal, enduring love as well as wisdom and clear sight.
Are lab-grown emeralds real emeralds?
Yes. A lab-grown emerald is the same green beryl as a mined emerald, with the same chemistry, colour and hardness — it simply crystallised in a controlled environment. At Alya Stone the May charms lead with lab-grown emeralds for a vivid, traceable, conflict-free stone.
How should I care for an emerald charm?
Emeralds are durable but more included than diamonds, so treat them with everyday sense: avoid harsh knocks and ultrasonic cleaners, and wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth. Set in solid 9k recycled gold, an Alya Stone emerald charm is made to be worn often and looked after simply.
How should I choose between the Aster and Ellis emerald charms?
The Aster presents a single lab-grown emerald in ribbed gold; the Ellis takes the pavé route and is made to layer. Both are solid 9k recycled gold, made to order.
Explore every month in our Birthstones by Month guide, step back to April's diamond or forward to June's alexandrite, see how the charms compare in our birthstone charms by month guide, or browse the complete birthstone collection.
May Birthstone: Meaning, Symbolism & How to Wear It
The May birthstone is the emerald — the velvety green gem that has stood for renewal and enduring love since antiquity. At Alya Stone, May is marked with lab-grown emeralds: the same green beryl prized by Cleopatra, grown above ground and set in solid 9k recycled gold across the Aster and Ellis charm lines. This guide covers what makes the emerald May's stone, what it has meant across cultures, and how to wear it.
What is an emerald?
An emerald is the green variety of the mineral beryl, coloured by traces of chromium (and sometimes vanadium) that give it its unmistakable deep, slightly cool green. It sits at 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale — hard, though emeralds are typically more included than other gems, so they reward a little care. A lab-grown emerald is exactly the same green beryl, crystallised in a controlled environment rather than mined: the same mineral, the same colour, the same character — simply a cleaner, more traceable origin.
Meaning and symbolism
The emerald is the stone of renewal and the green of new life — small wonder it belongs to May, the heart of spring. Its colour has long been read as growth, hope and rebirth, and its deeper meaning is loyal, enduring love: emeralds were exchanged as tokens of devotion and were believed to reveal the truth of a lover's heart. It has also carried associations with wisdom, patience and clear sight — the green that the eye finds most restful, made permanent in stone.
History and folklore
Emeralds have been mined for at least four thousand years, beginning near the Red Sea in Egypt, where the mines later took the name of Cleopatra — who adored the stone and wore it as a sign of power. The Romans treasured it too; Pliny the Elder wrote that nothing is greener, and legend has it the Emperor Nero watched the games through a cool emerald. From the sixteenth century, the richest emeralds of all came from the Muzo and Chivor mines of Colombia, where their depth of colour set the standard the world still measures by. The name itself travelled the same long road — from the Greek smaragdos, "green gem," through Latin and Old French esmeralde. The lab-grown chapter is the newest: the same green beryl, told a cleaner way.
Emerald and the star signs
May opens under Taurus (until around 20 May) and closes under Gemini (from 21 May). Tradition links the emerald's loyalty and love of beauty to Venus-ruled Taurus, and its associations with wit and clear communication to quicksilver Gemini — two flattering readings of the same green stone. As always, we'd let the birthday, not the horoscope, do the choosing.
How to wear and gift the May birthstone
Emerald green is one of the most flattering colours in jewellery — it warms against yellow gold and cools beautifully against white. Within the Curation Suite:
An emerald charm makes a generous May birthday gift, a twentieth- or thirty-fifth-anniversary token (both traditionally marked by emerald), or the green centre of a curation that will one day hold a whole family's months side by side.
Aster May Emerald Charm
From HK$2,180
SHOP →Ellis May Emerald Charm
From HK$2,280
SHOP →May birthstone FAQ
What is the birthstone for May?
The emerald — the green variety of beryl and one of the most treasured gems in history. Emerald is May's sole birthstone on every major modern list, with no widely used traditional alternate; agate was occasionally cited in older sources, but the emerald has long stood alone.
What does the May birthstone symbolise?
Renewal, love, growth and hope. Its green is the colour of spring and rebirth, and across cultures the emerald has stood for loyal, enduring love as well as wisdom and clear sight.
Are lab-grown emeralds real emeralds?
Yes. A lab-grown emerald is the same green beryl as a mined emerald, with the same chemistry, colour and hardness — it simply crystallised in a controlled environment. At Alya Stone the May charms lead with lab-grown emeralds for a vivid, traceable, conflict-free stone.
How should I care for an emerald charm?
Emeralds are durable but more included than diamonds, so treat them with everyday sense: avoid harsh knocks and ultrasonic cleaners, and wipe gently with a soft, damp cloth. Set in solid 9k recycled gold, an Alya Stone emerald charm is made to be worn often and looked after simply.
How should I choose between the Aster and Ellis emerald charms?
The Aster presents a single lab-grown emerald in ribbed gold; the Ellis takes the pavé route and is made to layer. Both are solid 9k recycled gold, made to order.
Explore every month in our Birthstones by Month guide, step back to April's diamond or forward to June's alexandrite, see how the charms compare in our birthstone charms by month guide, or browse the complete birthstone collection.