Birthstones by month
Birthstones · Updated 2026-10-25
May Birthstone and Birth Flower: Meaning and Gift Ideas
The May birthstone is emerald, the green gem of rebirth and renewal. May's birth flowers are the lily of the valley and the hawthorn. Emerald is often treated with oils or fillers, so it needs gentler care than harder birthstones, which is worth knowing before you buy a ring.
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What does the May birthstone, emerald, mean?
Emerald has been loved for thousands of years, and GIA says it evokes rebirth and renewal. The name comes from smaragdos, ancient Greek for a green gem, and Pliny the Elder wrote that nothing greens greener.
Cleopatra was known for her passion for emerald, and the Crown of the Andes, made in colonial South America, holds a 24 carat center emerald and 442 more. Legend said the stone could make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted.
Emerald is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, but it is often treated with oils, waxes or resins to fill fractures. That is why it should never go in an ultrasonic cleaner, and why soft brushing in warm, soapy water is the safe way to clean it.
What is the May birth flower?
The May birth flowers are the lily of the valley and the hawthorn. Lily of the valley signals sweetness, motherhood and the return of happiness, and hawthorn stands for hope and protection in British folklore.
Every part of lily of the valley is toxic, so keep it away from pets and small children. If that is a worry, a bouquet of other spring flowers in green and white still fits the birthstone color story.
What are the best birthday gifts for someone born in May?
May is a crowded month with Mother's Day in the United States, graduations and early summer plans. A birthday gift that is clearly for the birthday, not folded into another occasion, feels more considered.
Put the date in Events in Prezynt so there is a reminder, and save ideas as you spot them in a list, so you are not shopping the week before.
What are the May birthstone facts?
Stone lists from the American Gem Society, meanings from GIA, and birth flowers from the Farmers' Almanac.
| Detail | May |
|---|
| Birthstone | Emerald |
| Older or alternate choice | None listed; the main stone is the traditional pick |
| Color | Rich green |
| What it stands for | Emerald evokes rebirth and renewal. |
| Birth flowers | Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn |
| Flower meaning | Lily of the valley signals sweetness and the return of happiness; hawthorn stands for hope. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 7.5 to 8, often treated, so it needs gentle care |
| Wedding anniversary | Emerald is the gem for the 20th and 35th anniversaries |
| Where it comes from | Colombia has supplied the finest emeralds for more than 500 years |
Gift picks
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Emerald gifts
14k Emerald Earrings - May
$185.22 · My Gift Stop
Emerald earrings in 14k gold, labeled for May. A mid-priced pair with the deep green of the birthstone, a classic gift for a May birthday that suits both daily wear and dinner.
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Emerald Earrings - May Birthstone
$22.99 · All Cotton and Linen
Emerald earrings from a May birthstone line, at a very low price. The green stone adds color to a simple outfit, and the earrings sit comfortably beside a card or a bigger present.
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Women's Angel May Birthstone Pendant
$106 · Mariana
A women's angel pendant set for May's birthstone, a mid-priced necklace with a meaningful charm. It works as an everyday piece, and the green stone gives it a quiet link to the month.
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14K Gold Round Pearl & Emerald Round Pendant Necklace For Women
$245.99 · YFN
A 14k gold round pendant that combines a pearl and an emerald, a splurge-level necklace for a May birthday. The pearl softens the green, and the piece suits a dress or a plain sweater.
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Emerald Sparkle Gems Earrings – Crystal Drop Earrings for Women
$25.95 · Le Réussi®
Emerald crystal drop earrings at a very low price, a playful and sparkly way to give May's green. They suit a night out, and they are an easy add-on to a bigger present.
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Birthday gifts for someone born in May
Lily Of The Valley Cologne Spray
$40.71 · Demeter
A lily of the valley cologne spray from Demeter, a fragrance for May's birth flower. A mid-range, light and clean scent for someone who prefers a soft floral to a heavy perfume.
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Sterling Silver Lily Of The Valley Heart Pendant Personalized Photo Locket Necklace
$45.99 · YFN
A sterling silver heart-shaped photo locket decorated with lily of the valley, a personal gift for May's birth flower. She can keep a small picture inside, and the price is friendly.
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Green Blooms Earrings – Luxury Green Floral Statement Earrings
$24.95 · Le Réussi®
Green Blooms floral earrings at a very low price, a bright accessory in the green of May's emerald. They suit a spring outfit, and they are an easy add-on to a bigger birthday present.
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Lily Of The Valley Yardley By Yardley London
$17.99 · Yardley London
A Yardley London Lily of the Valley fragrance, a classic scent for May's birth flower at a very low price. It is a small, nostalgic gift that suits someone who loves a traditional floral.
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Frequently asked
What is the May birthstone?
The May birthstone is emerald, a green gem that the American Gem Society lists as the only stone for the month. It stands for rebirth and renewal.
How do I clean an emerald?
Gently scrub it with a soft brush in warm, soapy water. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, because vibration and heat can make the oil or resin filling in many emeralds sweat out.
What are the May birth flowers?
The May birth flowers are the lily of the valley and the hawthorn. Lily of the valley signals sweetness and the return of happiness, and hawthorn stands for hope.
Is lily of the valley safe around pets?
No. Every part of lily of the valley is toxic, so keep it away from pets and toddlers, or choose another green and white bloom for a May birthday bouquet.
Is emerald good for an everyday ring?
Emerald is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, but it can scratch and the stone is often treated, so a protective setting and gentle care make it better for occasional wear.