Ruby: The July Birthstone Guide

The July birthstone is the ruby. The ruby is part of a group of gemstones called the Big 3, which consists of the ruby, the emerald, and the sapphire. In addition to being the birthstone for July, the ruby is traditionally used to commemorate the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries (“Ruby”).

The word ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means “red.”

Early cultures believed that rubies held the power of life because of their red color being similar to the redness of the blood that flows through our veins. Additionally, experts consider the ruby one of the most historically significant gemstones as it is mentioned four times in the Bible in association with having qualities like beauty and wisdom. In Sanskrit, a ruby is called ratnaraj or “king of precious stones” (“Ruby History and Lore”).

Ancient Hindus believed that offering rubies to the god Krishna guaranteed you rebirth as an emperor. People in India believed that owning rubies allowed you to live in peace with your enemies. In Burma (now Myanmar), warriors used rubies to make them invincible in battle—they inserted them in their flesh and made them part of their bodies. The ruby eventually became one of the most sought after gems of European royalty and the upper class. Many medieval Europeans would wear rubies to ensure health, wealth, wisdom, and love (“Ruby History and Lore”).

The ruby is one variety of the corundum mineral species, which also includes the sapphire. Some say it is one of the most important gems in the colored stone market (“Ruby Description”). The mineral corundum, in its purest form, is actually colorless; but when trace elements become part of the mineral’s crystal structure, that is what causes variation in color.

Chromium is the trace element that causes a ruby to become red; a ruby can range from an orangey red to a deep purplish red. The more chromium that is present, the stronger the red color (“Ruby Description”).

Myanmar is one of the oldest recorded sources of rubies. For more than five centuries, Myanmar has produced some of the most sought after rubies. These rubies are vibrant red with “light-scattering inclusions” (“Ruby Birthstone”).

Vietnam has been another source of rubies since the late 20th century; this area produces rubies in a red to a purplish red color. The African nation of Mozambique is another important source of rubies; the rubies found there are compared to the Myanmar rubies (“Ruby Birthstone”).

Other sources of rubies include Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar (“Ruby Birthstone”).

Learn more about birthstones in our Birthstone Guide.