Birth Month

May

May 1 – May 31 · Earth (Taurus period); Air (Gemini period from May 21) · Venus (Taurus), Mercury (Gemini from May 21)

Traditional BirthstoneEmerald (in ancient Hindu, Hebrew, Roman, and nearly all traditions); also Agate in some medieval European lists

Modern BirthstoneEmerald

ElementEarth (Taurus period); Air (Gemini period from May 21)

Ruling PlanetVenus (Taurus), Mercury (Gemini from May 21)

Associated crystals

EmeraldOpen in the Dictionary ChrysopraseOpen in the Dictionary BerylOpen in the Dictionary MalachiteOpen in the Dictionary JadeOpen in the Dictionary

Associated herbs

RoseOpen in the Dictionary Lily of the ValleyOpen in the Dictionary ThymeOpen in the Dictionary PeppermintOpen in the Dictionary LavenderOpen in the Dictionary

Source Tradition

Emerald is one of the birthstones where traditional and modern lists agree completely. In Exodus 28, emerald (bareqeth) is the third stone of Aaron's breastplate. The Hindu Ratna Pariksha (5th century CE) associates emerald with Mercury. Ancient Romans dedicated emeralds to Venus, goddess of love and beauty. The 16th-century Muzo mines of Colombia were known to Europeans by the Conquest period. The 1912 Jewelers of America list confirmed emerald for May without change.

Exodus 28:18; Ratna Pariksha, 5th century CE; Pliny the Elder, Natural History, Book XXXVII; Jewelers of America, 1912—Traditional and modern lists agreeExplore sourcing notes in the Appendix