What Is the May Birthstone?
The birthstone for May is the emerald — one of the four precious gemstones alongside diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Prized for its deep, vivid green color, the emerald has been coveted by royalty and collectors for thousands of years. From Cleopatra's legendary emerald mines to the crown jewels of Colombia, no gemstone carries quite the same weight of history, desire, and meaning.
At Black Pearl of Queens, our May Birthstone Jewelry collection features emerald and emerald-inspired pieces handcrafted in solid 14K gold in our Queens, NYC studio — made to order, built to last.
Emerald Meaning & Symbolism
Emeralds have carried deep symbolic meaning across cultures and centuries:
- Renewal & growth — the deep green of the emerald mirrors the lush landscape of May, making it the perfect stone for spring birthdays
- Love & loyalty — emeralds were historically given as tokens of love; Cleopatra famously adorned herself in emeralds as symbols of eternal youth and fertility
- Wisdom & clarity — ancient Romans associated emeralds with Venus, goddess of love and beauty, believing the stone brought clarity of mind and heart
- Prosperity — in many cultures, emeralds are considered stones of abundance and good fortune
For anyone born in May, an emerald piece isn't just jewelry — it's a stone that carries centuries of meaning.
How to Choose May Birthstone Jewelry
The right emerald piece depends on how and where it will be worn. Here's a quick guide:
Emerald Pendants
Pendants are the most versatile emerald jewelry choice — they work for everyday wear, special occasions, and gifting. Our Aveline Emerald Halo Pendant features a 0.38ct lab-grown emerald surrounded by a diamond halo, set in solid 14K gold. It's the piece we recommend most for May birthdays — elegant enough for a gift, wearable enough for every day.
Emerald Rings
Emerald rings make a bold, lasting statement. Whether as a center stone in an engagement ring or as a right-hand fashion ring, emerald's rectangular step-cut facets produce a depth of color that round stones simply cannot match. The emerald cut was literally named for this stone.
Emerald Earrings
Emerald stud earrings and drop earrings are a refined, understated way to wear the May birthstone. They pair beautifully with gold bands and diamond pieces without competing for attention.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Emeralds
This is the question we get most often — and the answer is simpler than you might think.
Natural emeralds are mined from the earth, primarily in Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. They are almost always included (meaning they have internal fractures and inclusions visible to the naked eye) — this is so common that the industry has a term for it: jardin, French for garden. A natural emerald with no inclusions is extraordinarily rare and extraordinarily expensive.
Lab-grown emeralds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural emeralds — they are real emeralds, grown in a controlled environment rather than mined from the earth. They are typically eye-clean (no visible inclusions), more vivid in color, and significantly more affordable than their natural counterparts.
At Black Pearl of Queens, we use lab-grown emeralds in our May Birthstone collection — giving you a more vivid, more ethical, and more accessible emerald without compromising on quality or beauty.
Why 14K Gold Pairs Best With Emeralds
Emeralds are best set in gold — and specifically in 14K gold, for three reasons:
- Color harmony — yellow gold enhances the warm undertones in emerald green, creating a rich, classic combination that has been used in fine jewelry for centuries. White gold gives emeralds a cooler, more modern look. Rose gold adds warmth and romance.
- Durability — 14K gold (58.3% pure gold) is harder and more durable than 18K gold, making it ideal for everyday pieces that will be worn regularly
- Value — 14K gold gives you the look and quality of fine gold jewelry at a more accessible price point, allowing more of your budget to go toward the emerald itself
May Birthday Gift Ideas
Looking for the perfect gift for someone born in May? Here are our top recommendations from the May Birthstone collection:
- The Aveline Emerald Halo Pendant — our most popular emerald piece, perfect for a first fine jewelry gift
- Emerald stud earrings — understated, elegant, and wearable every day
- An emerald engagement ring — for the May birthday proposal, nothing is more meaningful than her birthstone as her center stone
All pieces are made to order in our Queens, NYC workshop and ship with complimentary insured shipping and a signature Black Pearl of Queens gift box — ready to give, the moment it arrives.
Shop May Birthstone Jewelry
Every emerald piece at Black Pearl of Queens is handcrafted in solid 14K gold in our Queens, NYC studio. Made to order in 7–10 business days. Complimentary insured shipping on all U.S. orders. Lifetime warranty included.
Shop the May Birthstone Collection →
Handcrafted in New York City | Lab-Grown Emeralds | Solid 14K Gold | Lifetime Warranty
