What is May's birthstone? A guide to the colorful gem and its symbolism

From diamonds to sapphires, there are about 100 gemstones and each has its own distinct color and composition. Your favorite gem might be based on its aesthetic or personal taste, but your birth month provides another option when it comes to jewelry or gifts.

Each month has a gemstone and some even have more than one. If you know a Taurus or Gemini born in May, you should know their birthstone.

Here's a guide to May's birthstone, including its history, symbolism and meaning.

May birthstone

May's birthstone is the emerald. The gem ranges in hues of green, from a yellowish-green to green blue. This is fitting since its name derives from the ancient Greek word "smaragdos," meaning "green gem," according to the Geological Institute of America.

Emerald has held a special spot among royalty. It has been referred to as "the jewel of kings," the International Gem Society reports. Queen Cleopatra was believed to have had an affinity for the stone and used them in her jewelry. Another famous example is the Crown of the Andes – created to adorn a statue of the Virgin Mary – which contains nearly 450 emeralds.

For centuries, emeralds were believed to have healing powers. Throughout history, physicians from different cultures used the stone to cure poison and ward off infection. It was believed if you wear an emerald, it will make you more "intelligent and quick-witted," the Geological Institute of America reports.

Colombia has been a major emerald producer for over 500 years. Other countries and continents that mine emeralds include Brazil, Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Geological Institute of America reports.

Emeralds are also often given as gifts for the twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries.

What color is my birthstone? Learn which gemstone represents each month and what it means.

Want to learn more about other month's birthstones?

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the birthstone for May? A colorful gem rich with symbolism