The birthstone for May is the emerald. The emerald is a gemstone known for its deep green color, and it is highly valued for its beauty and rarity.

The emerald is a type of mineral called beryl. It contains trace amounts of iron and chromium, which give it its distinctive vivid green hue. The value of an emerald is judged by the depth of its color and its clarity, with those having a deep green color and high clarity being the most prized.

Emeralds have been treasured since ancient times and have been widely used as jewels for royalty and nobility. They are also regarded as symbols of good fortune and love, making them popular choices for wedding rings and special gifts.

It is common for emeralds to contain many inclusions. These are natural features and are taken into account when assessing the beauty and rarity of an emerald. Clean emeralds are very rare and costly, with those having fewer inclusions being especially valuable.