Spring is here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about gifts for the people with May birthdays in your life. Or maybe you want to purchase a gorgeous gift all for yourself. Either way, we’re here for it. One go-to gift we suggest is a special piece of jewelry featuring May’s birthstone. At Shane Co., stones in lovely shades of green represent the month of May.
While emerald is traditionally considered May’s birthstone, we offer similarly colored stones like beautiful green sapphire and peridot due to their high quality and long-lasting properties. With our selection of green jewelry with hand-picked stones, select this month’s birthstone color featuring versatile Shane Co. styles.
History and Meaning of the Emerald Birthstone
Emerald is a popular variety of beryl. The word “emerald” derives from the Greek word “smaragdus.” People have loved emeralds dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, and Cleopatra is said to have had a passion for the gem. The ancient Incas also loved incorporating emeralds. Since ancient times, the stone has continuously symbolized unconditional love, immortality, calming, patience, and inspiration.
Green Sapphire: A May Birthstone Alternative
Shane Co. carries a gorgeous alternative for May birthstone babies: green sapphire. This beautiful green birthstone is one of three precious gemstones Shane Co. carries (the other two being diamond and ruby), making it the closest quality and an excellent alternative to emerald. Sapphire is a variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral that forms in crystals and can range from transparent to opaque.
With a high rating of 9 out of 10 on the Mohs gemstone hardness scale, green sapphire is appropriate for a wide variety of jewelry. It’s also very durable and easy to clean, meaning you can safely wear a green sapphire ring to show off your birthstone without worrying about potential nicks or damage.
Did You Know?
Legend has it that the first person to wear sapphire was Zeus’ rival, Prometheus, who stole the gemstone from Caucasus along with fire from heaven. The idea that sapphire was a “Gem of Heaven” was also popular with the ancient Persians, who believed that cut sapphires were a chip from the pedestal that supported Earth and reflected back onto the sky.
Peridot: A May Birthstone Alternative
Another great choice for a May birthstone is peridot. A less widely known stone than sapphire, peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, named for its rich, light olive-like color. Its color comes from properties of the mineral itself, rather than trace impurities, like many other gemstones. On rare occasions, peridot is even found inside meteorites! Keep in mind that peridot also represents August’s birthstone.
Did You Know?
In Hawaii, peridot once symbolized the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire, who controls the flow of lava in volcanic eruptions.
May Birthstone Gifts
If you’re looking for the perfect May birthday gift (or treating yourself), we recommend going green! It’s a great way to add a personal touch by showing that you know all about May’s birthstone. Green suggests love, growth, security, and abundance, so gifting an emerald-toned item is representative of your positive relationship.
Green Accessories
If the person you’re purchasing for has an affinity for accessories, there are a couple of key emerald-color items we love. A green scarf is an excellent choice for anyone — it’s pretty without being too personal. If you’re looking for something a little pricier, a green purse is another great accessory sure to win them over.
Green Decor
Plants are a thoughtful gift for the home that will add some natural green to their life. When gifting a plant, though, it’s important to consider the person at hand. Are they the type who wants to care for something? If you’re unsure, succulents are low-maintenance and usually a safe bet. Another great green decor gift is a scented candle. Green just happens to have a lot of pleasantly associated scents, like pine and green apple.
Green Self-Care Gifts
Need a low-key gift for someone? You can’t go wrong with self-care items! Green is a tranquil color associated with nature and peace. When it comes to green self-care gifts, green tea is a hit for its calming effects. We also like an aloe face mask that will bring peace and relaxation.
Green Jewelry
Finally, though we may be a bit biased, we think green jewelry makes an excellent gift for those with a May birthday in your life. As we mentioned earlier, green sapphire and peridot are two perfect emerald alternatives and are part of our gorgeous selection of styles in shades of green. Shop necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings until you find the perfect green gift.
No matter what you choose, Shane Co.’s selection of green gemstones and handcrafted designs will look beautiful with any style. Easily shop online at ShaneCo.com to find the perfect gift for a loved one or to treat yourself. You can even book a virtual or in-store appointment to speak with one of our expert jewelry consultants.
