Birthstone for July


Mohs hardness 9
Mineral Class - corundum (same as sapphire)
Symbol – Contentment

It is also the recognized gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversary.

Alternate Birthstones: Rubellite Tourmaline and Red Spinal

Ruby’s name is derived from the Latin “ruber” meaning red.

The most precious of all gemstones, ruby has been as prized throughout history. It is found in writings celebrated in the Bible as well as in ancient Sanskrit writings.

The color of blood, the stone is symbolic of courage and bravery. Mystics used rubies to stimulate spiritual creativity and religious devotion. Healers believed that rubies could heal diseases of the pelvic cavity and generative organs as well as the heart and the blood. Soldiers wore rubies to stop the flow of blood from wounds received in battle and as a talisman against getting shot by arrows. The Ancient Greek women believed that wearing ruby could bring them love and physical beauty. Roman nobles had intaglio rings carved out of ruby to protect their wealth and health and to allowed its owner to live in safety, even in the midst of enemies. In Myanmar (formerly Burma), it could make one invincible if it was embedded in the skin. Rubies has been the symbol attract and maintain deep love and passion and is recognized as a talisman to ensure harmony, guard against sorrow, inspire confidence, bring success, and bring to light the electrifying personality of those who wear it.

Rubies come in many shades of red. The closer a gem is to the vivid red “pigeon's blood” color, the higher the price. Only red stones are called rubies. Ruby comes in shades of red which vary from purplish and bluish red to orangey red in medium to dark tones. Prized colors are pure red with no overtones of brown or blue. If the color is too light to be called red, it is a pink sapphire. The question then becomes where does red in ruby stop and pink sapphire begin? When shopping for a fine ruby one should look for a bright red stone with as few inclusions as possible.

Traditional rubies are routinely enhanced by heating to produce, intensify or lighten color and/or improve clarity. They are mined throughout Southeast Asia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, as well as Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and are also found here in the United States.

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