The modern birthstone(s) for May are Emerald. Traditional birthstone(s) are Emerald, Agate. Zultanite — gem-quality color-change diaspore from Türkiye — is not an official May birthstone.

Modern birthstone

The modern May birthstone list, established by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912 and updated periodically since, includes: Emerald.

Traditional birthstone

The traditional birthstone list (drawing from older European and Polish gem-month associations) for May includes: Emerald, Agate.

Where Zultanite fits

Not an official May birthstone. Zultanite’s sage-green daylight phase resembles emerald visually but the gems differ in mineral species (beryl vs diaspore) and price tier.

How birthstone lists work

There is no single global authority on birthstones — modern, traditional, mystical (Tibetan), and Ayurvedic lists all differ. Zultanite was discovered too late (commercial production began in the early 2000s) to enter any of the historical lists.