July Birthstone: Ruby and Its Meaning
The birthstone for the month of July is ruby, a vibrant red “king of gemstones”. Loved across many cultures and eras, rubies symbolize love, passion, protection, and prosperity. Rubies also decorate many royal crowns and jewelry as a symbol of power and divine favor.
Read on to find out what makes the July birthstone so special and why it is a perfect July birthday gift.
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What Is the July Birthstone?
The official July birthstone is ruby, a fiery red precious gem. Ruby is one of the four most prized precious gemstones, along with clear diamonds, green emeralds, and blue sapphires.
The name of the gemstone comes from the Latin word “ruber,” which means simply “red” – an obvious nod to the stone’s fiery color.
Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, a gem form of crystalline aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Other colors are called sapphires, with blue sapphire being the other most common gem variety of corundum.
Durability and Hardness
Your July birthstone ranks among the toughest gems in nature. Rubies score an impressive 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making them second only to diamonds.
This remarkable strength means your ruby jewelry can handle daily wear without showing signs of damage. Your ruby jewelry won’t scratch easily, and it stays resistant to common wear and tear. You’ll love how these gems maintain their sparkle and beauty through years of regular use.
Ruby’s exceptional durability makes it a perfect choice for wedding or engagement rings, as well as family heirloom pieces. Their natural toughness keeps the stone’s brilliant red color shining for generations. Many people choose rubies for their most treasured jewelry pieces because they know these gems will last a lifetime.
July Birthstone Color
The July birthstone colors range from soft pink-red to deep crimson, making each ruby stone special in its own way. The most prized gems display a stunning deep red color with hints of purple, often called “pigeon blood” by gem experts. Your birthstone’s rich crimson shade comes from chromium, a natural element inside the stone.
July Birthstone Meaning
The July birthstone’s meaning is connected to the heart and soul and brings power to your life. Rubies tie to passion, protection, and prosperity.
Symbolism of passion and love
The July birthstone, ruby, with its rich red color, is a powerful symbol of deep love and fiery passion. Ruby jewelry carries the energy of romance and strong emotions, making it a perfect gift for expressing deep feelings.
Ancient cultures already linked this precious stone to matters of the heart and good fortune in love. Hindu traditions suggest wearing a ruby near your heart to boost love and relationships.
Many couples choose ruby engagement rings to represent their burning passion and lasting commitment. Your ruby jewelry piece serves as a daily reminder of love’s eternal flame. The stone’s connection to protection adds an extra layer of meaning to romantic relationships.
A ruby is like a heart that beats with the warmth of eternal love.
Representation of vitality and courage
Symbolizing heart and blood, ruby also represents strength and life force. The July birthstone’s meaning is connected to vitality and inner fire.
Ancient warriors wore rubies into battle, believing these red stones would protect them and boost their courage. So these precious gems are also linked to powerful traits like bravery and fearlessness.
People often pick rubies as gifts to inspire loved ones facing big challenges. These gems shine with fierce energy, making them perfect symbols for life’s bold moments. Ruby jewelry serves as a constant reminder to stay brave and embrace your inner power.
Modern believers say rubies help spark creativity and drive in your daily life.
The History of Ruby July Birthstone
The bond between July, the hottest month of the summer season, and the fiery red hot ruby birthstone dates back to ancient times.
Rubies have held deep cultural value across many ancient civilizations. Early cultures valued these precious stones because they looked like drops of blood, connecting them to life force and power.
Ancient Hindus saw these red gems as stones of immense rewards, believing that offering rubies to Krishna would lead to rebirth as emperors.
Religious texts also highlight ruby’s importance throughout history. In Sanskrit texts, the ruby is referred to as “ratnaraj,” which means “king of precious stones,” showing how much this July birthstone was prized. The Bible mentions rubies several times, linking them to wisdom and worth.
You’ll find rubies in royal treasuries worldwide, where kings and queens collected them for both their beauty and their supposed ability to protect rulers from harm. Ancient traders moved these precious stones along the Silk Road, spreading stories about their magical properties from Asia to Europe.
Where do rubies come from?
The finest rubies come from Myanmar’s (Burmese) legendary Mogok region, known as the “Valley of Rubies.” These precious stones have a standout deep red color and natural glow.
Your July birthstone also comes from several other places across the globe. Mozambique has become a major source of high-quality rubies in recent years, while Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam offer beautiful stones at more budget-friendly prices.
Sri Lanka holds a special place in ruby history, producing these gorgeous gems for over 2,500 years.
Each location produces rubies with their own special traits, but Burmese rubies remain the most sought-after for their vivid red color and bright fluorescence.
Famous Ruby Stones and Jewelry
Many rubies and ruby jewelry pieces have earned worldwide fame due to their exceptional size, color, historical significance, or record-breaking auction prices. Here are some of the most famous:
- The Liberty Bell Ruby is the largest mined ruby in the world, originally weighing 8,500 carats. Carved into the shape of the Liberty Bell and decorated with 50 diamonds, it was created for the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. The ruby was stolen in 2011 and remains missing.
- The Sunrise Ruby set a world record at Sotheby’s in 2015, selling for over $30 million, making it the most expensive ruby and colored gemstone ever sold at auction at the time. It is a fine example of the rare “pigeon blood” color and exceptional clarity of rubies mined in Burma’s legendary “Valley of Rubies” in the Mogok region.
- Its record was broken in 2023 by Estrela de Fura ruby. The rough stone originally weighed 101 carats, making it the largest gem-quality ruby ever found at the time. After cutting and polishing, the ruby became a cushion-shaped stone weighing 55.22 carats that sold for $34.8 million.
- The Rosser Reeves Star Ruby might be the largest and finest star ruby in the world. This 138.7-carat gem displays a perfectly sharp asterism, or star effect. This 138.7-carat gem from Sri Lanka now lives in the Smithsonian Institution.
- The Carmen Lucia Ruby Ring showcases the classic deep red “ratnaraj” saturated red color and exceptional transparency. This 23.1-carat Burmese ruby is one of the finest gems on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
- The Burmese Ruby Tiara of Queen Elizabeth II is a piece of jewelry commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. It features 96 rubies, gifted to her by the people of Burma (now Myanmar) upon her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947. These rubies were believed in Burmese culture to protect against illness and evil.
Victorian Inspired Queen Elizabeth II Style
- The British Imperial State Crown showcases the “Black Prince’s Ruby,” which sits at its front. Despite its name, the Black Prince’s Ruby is actually a red spinel, not a true ruby. Nonetheless, it is one of the most famous stones in the British Crown Jewels. This 170-carat bright red stone has adorned British royal events since 1367.
- The Duchess of Angoulême’s ruby tiara was crafted in 1816 using rubies and diamonds from the French Crown collection. The stones originally belonged to Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife. The tiara was part of a grand ruby parure (suite) that included a tiara, coronet, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more. The tiara with large, high-quality rubies disappeared into private hands and was not seen after the 1961 Sotheby’s auction.
925 sterling silver Cubic zircon
- The Crown Ruby Brooch is British royal jewelry from 1854, originally linked to Queen Victoria. Queen Mary later transformed it with rubies from a necklace given to Victoria by the ruler of Nepal around 1926. The brooch is part of Queen Elizabeth II’s collection and appears occasionally at important royal events.
with Lab created Corundum Rubies and 5A cubic Zirconia
Popular July Birthstone Jewelry
From classic ruby rings to modern pendant designs, there is no shortage of ruby jewelry to match your style. Here are some of our hand-picked favorites from trusted suppliers for you:
July Birthstone Rings
Ruby rings are the most popular choice for July birthstone jewelry. From classic solitaires to modern designs, your July birthstone ring can feature a single ruby or multiple smaller stones in artistic patterns.
Many couples choose ruby rings for engagement or anniversary gifts as a symbol of passion and love. The exceptional hardness of ruby rings makes them perfect for daily wear.
Ruby Birthstone Necklaces and Pendants
A ruby necklace makes a perfect gift for July-born loved ones. Pendant styles range from simple solitaires to eye-catching statement pieces that draw attention. The deep red gems catch light beautifully against any neckline.
You’ll find options to match every style and budget, from delicate chains with small ruby drops to bold designs with larger stones. These necklaces work great for both daily wear and special occasions.
July Birthstone Earrings
Ruby birthstone earrings make stunning birthday gifts for July-born loved ones, and create eye-catching accessories perfect for special occasions.
Ruby Birthstone Bracelets
Bracelets featuring July’s birthstone add a pop of color to any outfit while celebrating your birth month in style. The versatile nature of ruby jewelry means you can wear these pieces daily or save them for milestone moments.
Conclusion
Ruby, the July birthstone, is indeed the “king of gemstones”. Treasured for centuries, prized by royalty, rubies are timeless symbols of love and passion. Being a hardy stone, they are also a symbol of courage and power. Shining with fierce energy, they help throughout life’s bold moments and remind you to stay brave, understand your worth, and embrace your inner power.
Thanks to their durability, rubies are perfect for daily wear jewelry and will stand the test of time as heirloom pieces. There is a reason your July birthstone adores some of the world’s most famous jewelry pieces in royal collections, passed down over generations.
Enjoy your connection to this remarkable gemstone that combines beauty, strength, and rich heritage.
FAQs
What is the July birthstone?
The official July birthstone is ruby, a dark red precious gem. Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, a gem form of crystalline aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and one of the hardest gems in nature.
What does the ruby birthstone mean?
The ruby stands for love, passion, and power. Symbolizing heart and blood, ruby also represents strength and life force, and vitality and inner fire.
Where do rubies come from?
Most rubies come from mines in Myanmar, Thailand, and Africa. These precious stones form deep in the earth when a mineral called corundum mixes with chromium.
What month is the ruby birthstone?
Ruby is the birthstone for the month of July. The bond between July, the hottest month of the summer season, and the fiery red hot ruby birthstone dates back to ancient times.
Why is ruby chosen as July’s birthstone?
Ruby fits summer perfectly. Its fiery red color matches the heat of July days. In ancient times, people chose stones to match a month’s spirit, and ruby just shines in midsummer.
