May Birthstones
Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.
—Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Spring is the time of freedom and joy, fun and frolicking on the green pastures dressed in Hyacinths and Tulips. The magnificent green of the emerald represents life, rebirth and bliss that go hand in hand with springtime. If you were born in May, your birthstone is the pretty emerald.
Made of a combination of elements such as Beryl, Aluminum, Silicon and Oxygen (combined as Be3Al2(SiO3)6), these May birthstones are green, usually inclined either towards the shades of yellow or blue. However, lighter shades of this stone are known as Green Beryl and are generally not as pricey as emeralds. Even if it isn’t a strong or smooth at the surface like diamonds, this beautiful May birthstones are loved by all jewelry lovers.
In ancient Egypt, emeralds were embedded in accessories such as head adornments and bracelets to represent eternal youth. Thus, May birthstones were buried with the Egyptian mummies to ensure a fulfilling after life. In Rome, emeralds were symbols of fertility and rebirth. Women were gifted emerald by their lovers. Thus, it is understandable why the emerald is associated with the peak month of the spring season.
The importance of these May birthstones to ancient Egyptians can be understood by the immense efforts early miners took to uncover them. They dug in eastern Egyptian deserts through extremely warm weathers and constant threats from deadly reptiles.
Spanish Conquistadors of Colombia discovered that Muzo Indians were wearing large emerald on their neck adornments and it took them many years to win over these natives, let alone discover the sources of attractive emeralds. The history of this brilliant stone is indeed vivid. If you are a May born, and know all such tales about emeralds, it will only make a May birthstone you receive as a gift much more meaningful.
Linked with royalty in the ancient world and the wealthy of the world today, this May birthstone is associated with wisdom, growth, and patience. Spanish Conquistador Pizzaro’s (1532) crown was said to contain over 450 emeralds and most of these are now owned by rich jewelry collectors around the world.
The Muzo mine, which was the initial source of May birthstone among Columbian Indians, produces the most exquisite, thus expensive stones in the world up to date. Other sources of emerald are located in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Brazil.
Some wear emeralds to bring luck, for wearing your May birthstone brings you fortune and protection. Others love to receive it as a gift, for these brilliant green emeralds are symbols of love and fidelity.
