The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum. Its color comes from chromium, its name from the Latin ruber, "red," and only diamond is harder. Ancient India called it the king of precious stones. By tradition ruby stands for passion, courage and vitality, and fine stones command some of the highest per-carat prices among colored gems.
What is the birthstone for July?
Ruby is the only July birthstone on the American list used by Jewelers of America and the American Gem Society, and it has held the month since the list was standardized in 1912.
In Britain the National Association of Jewellers also names ruby and adds carnelian as an alternative. Carnelian is a translucent orange-red chalcedony, usually cut as beads or smooth cabochons, and it costs a small fraction of the price of ruby.
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What does ruby mean?
Ruby's meaning starts with its color, the color of blood and fire.
- Life and energy. In India ruby was linked with the life force of blood and became a symbol of power and youthful energy.
- Courage. Burmese warriors believed that a ruby made them invincible in battle.
- Love and success. Medieval Europeans held that rubies brought wisdom, wealth and success in love.
- Warning. Some believed the stone could predict misfortune or danger.
People also once claimed that ruby could cure inflammatory diseases and soothe anger. That is folklore: a ruby has no effect on health and is no substitute for medical care. As a symbol, though, a red stone for love and courage needs little explanation.
What color is the July birthstone?
Red, and the redder the better. Ruby and sapphire are the same mineral, corundum, which is colorless when pure. Traces of chromium turn it red, and according to the Gemological Institute of America, the more chromium, the stronger the red.
The color ranges from orangy red to purplish red. The finest is a deep red with a hint of purple that the trade calls "pigeon's blood." Chromium can also make a ruby glow red under ultraviolet light, which makes the color look even more intense in daylight.
Where a ruby formed affects its look. Rubies that grew in marble, as in Myanmar and northern Vietnam, tend to have that glowing red. Rubies from basalt rock usually hold more iron and are darker and less intense.
How rubies are treated
Most rubies on the market have been treated, and the kind of treatment makes a large difference to price and durability.
- Heat treatment is common. It removes purplish tints and some of the fine needle-like inclusions known as silk. The trade accepts it because the result is stable in normal wear.
- Lattice diffusion and dyeing are also used to change color.
- Glass filling. Lower-quality stones may have fractures and cavities filled with glass. These rubies cost much less and are more easily damaged.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires sellers to disclose treatments that affect a gem's value. Ask what has been done to the stone, and for an expensive ruby ask for a laboratory report, which also states whether the stone is natural or synthetic.
Where rubies come from
Myanmar, formerly Burma, is the most famous source: the Mogok area has produced fine rubies for more than five centuries. Since the late 20th century Vietnam has been another important source. Mozambique, with its mines at Montepuez, is a major newer producer whose rubies have been compared with Mogok's. Rubies are also mined in Thailand and Cambodia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. If the origin of a stone matters to you, ask the jeweler for it in writing.
How to care for ruby jewelry
Ruby is one of the toughest gems for daily wear. How you clean it depends on its treatment.
- Warm, soapy water and a soft brush are safe for most rubies.
- Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated and lattice diffusion-treated stones.
- Glass-filled or dyed rubies should be cleaned only with a damp cloth.
- Store ruby apart from softer gems, which it will scratch.
If you don't know how your ruby was treated, treat it as the delicate kind and stay with a damp cloth or mild soap and water.
Ruby gift ideas for a July birthday
- Small ruby studs or a pendant bring the color at a manageable price, since cost rises steeply with size.
- A ruby ring suits daily wear when the stone is untreated or only heated.
- Color over size. A small stone with strong red looks better than a larger one that is pinkish or dark.
- A ruby accent. One small ruby set in a band or a charm is a quiet way to wear a birthstone.
- The alternative. Carnelian gives a warm red-orange in beads and signet rings at a modest price.
Ruby also marks the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries; see our guide to gifts for every wedding anniversary.
July birth flowers: larkspur and water lily
July's birth flowers are larkspur and the water lily. Larkspur, with its tall spikes of blue, purple, pink or white blooms, stands in the traditional language of flowers for positivity, lightheartedness and an open heart. The water lily, which opens on the surface of still water, stands for purity. Deep pink larkspur picks up the red of a ruby well. It is all tradition rather than botany, so go with the flower that suits the person. Every month's pair is in our guide to birth flowers by month.
Other summer birthdays: June's pearl, alexandrite and moonstone and August's peridot, spinel and sardonyx. For every month at once, go to birthstones by month.