What is the May birthstone?

The modern May birthstone is Emerald, Lab-created emerald; the traditional list gives Emerald.

May: Emerald, Lab-created emerald

Q: How hard is it?

7.5 to 8 (but brittle) on the Mohs scale. Lukewarm soapy water only. No ultrasonic, no steam, no heat: they drive out the oil and open fractures.

Traditional: Emerald · Green · Mohs 7.5 to 8 (but brittle)

What it is

Green beryl colored by chromium or vanadium, from Colombia, Zambia and Brazil. Almost every natural emerald is included and most are treated with oil or resin to hide fractures; the FTC requires that to be disclosed. Lab-created emerald is the same material grown in a lab, cleaner and far cheaper.

In the glossary: Emerald, Lab-created emerald.

Care

Lukewarm soapy water only. No ultrasonic, no steam, no heat: they drive out the oil and open fractures.

Before you buy

A visibly clean natural emerald at a low price is almost certainly glass, dyed quartz or lab-created; the listing must say. Green cubic zirconia and 'emerald-cut' colorless stones are not emeralds.

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Sources: Jewelers of America modern birthstone list; GIA gem encyclopedia; FTC Jewelry Guides on treatment and lab-growth disclosure. Clasp & Lens does not appraise or grade stones; what a listing says is the supplier's statement.