JULY BIRTHSTONES

Ruby birthstone

Rubies, the birthstone of July, are considered the king of gems and represent love, health and wisdom. It was believed wearing a fine red Ruby bestowed good fortune on its owner. A Ruby is the most valuable gemstone and its value increases based on its color and quality.

Symbolic of the passion and energy associated with the color red, the vibrant ruby is said to bring love and success.

The name “ruby” comes from rubeus, the Latin word for red. In ancient Sanskrit, ruby translated to ratnaraj, which meant “king of precious stones.” These fiery gems have been treasured throughout history for their vitality.

Tough and durable, ruby measures 9 on the Mohs scale. Diamond is the only natural gemstone harder than ruby.

Ruby’s strength and red fluorescence make it valuable for applications beyond jewelry. Both natural and synthetic rubies are used in watchmaking, medical instruments and lasers.

Due to its deep red color, ruby has long been associated with the life force and vitality of blood. It is believed to amplify energy, heighten awareness, promote courage and bring success in wealth, love and battle.

Though ruby has a long history, it wasn’t recognized as a variety of corundum until 1800. Prior to that, red spinel, tourmaline, and garnet were also believed to be ruby. Even the Black Ruby, one of the famed crown jewels of England, was considered one of the largest cut rubies until determined to be spinel.

Imitation ruby dates back as far as Roman times, though it wasn’t actually synthesized until the early 1900s.

Whether you’re showing your love for someone born in July, or celebrating a 15th or 40th wedding anniversary, there’s no better gift than ruby.

Popular since ancient times, these precious gems are said to rouse the senses, amplify positive energy and guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.

Like diamonds, rubies are evaluated using the 4Cs*, plus size and geographic origin. The most important feature of a ruby is its red color, as other hues of this gem species are considered sapphire. The finest ruby is a vibrant purplish red, losing value (and classification as a ruby) as it leans toward brown, orange or even pink.

Rubies also require good transparency. Opaque rubies are much less valuable, even if they display cat’s eye or asterism**.

All natural rubies contain imperfections, like rutile inclusions called “silk.” These can actually increase the value of ruby (when displaying a rare cat’s eye or star effect) and are often used to determine a gem’s authenticity.

The Sunrise Ruby is the world’s most expensive gemstone other than a diamond. A 25.6-carat Burmese Pigeon Blood Ruby set between two diamonds weighing 2.5 and 2.7 carats respectively, it sold at auction in 2015 for nearly $30 million, setting a new record price-per-carat.

Lower quality rubies are heat treated to improve color saturation and minimize inclusions, making these varieties more affordable.

A valuable gift to symbolize passion, protection and prosperity, ruby is the perfect way to express powerful emotions.

Mary Elizabeth

* 4C's are Color Clarity Carat and Cut

** as·ter·ism

Ref. American Gem Society