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July is a month of warmth, long sun soaked days, and bold, fiery colour. It’s perfectly represented by ruby, the official birthstone for July. Known for its rich red hues and powerful symbolism, ruby has captivated hearts for centuries. While some modern lists mention alternatives like carnelian or red spinel, ruby remains the true gemstone of July, treasured by jewellers, collectors, and anyone drawn to vibrant, passionate colour.
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Why Ruby is July’s Birthstone
Like many birthstones, ruby’s connection to July is rooted in a blend of ancient beliefs and modern standardisation. Early birthstone traditions are often linked to the twelve gemstones set into the biblical breastplate of Aaron. While these lists varied across cultures and centuries, red stones associated with strength, vitality, and protection were commonly included and are often thought to refer to ruby.
Ruby’s association with July became firmly established in 1912, when the American National Association of Jewelers created a standardised birthstone list. Their goal was to unify historical tradition with gemstones that were recognisable, desirable, and commercially significant. With its long history, striking colour, and enduring appeal, ruby was an obvious choice for the height of summer.
Despite ruby’s rarity and its higher price compared to many other red gems, no official alternative has joined it on the modern list. Its intense colour, symbolic power and worldwide recognition have helped ruby maintain its place as one of the most iconic gemstones globally.
🔗 Explore the History of Birthstones to learn more about this timeless tradition
History and Lore of Ruby
Ruby has been revered since ancient times and was often considered more valuable than diamonds. In ancient India, rubies were called the king of gemstones and were believed to protect their wearer from harm. Roman solders were said to embed rubies into their armour, trusting the stone to grant courage and invincibility in battle.
Across medieval Europe, ruby was associated with nobility, vitality, and divine favour. It was believed to glow in darkness and warn its owner of danger. Some legends claimed that rubies held an inner flame that could never be extinguished, a symbol of life force and eternal passion.
In Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, rubies were deeply woven into cultural traditions. Burmese legends spoke of rubies granting strength, good fortune, and protection from injury. Even alchemical texts praised ruby as a stone of power, vitality, and transformation.
Through centuries of myth, royalty, and spiritual belief, ruby has retained its reputation as a gemstone of passion, protection, and prestige.
🔗 Dive deeper into Ruby Myths and Legends
Ruby’s Meaning, Symbolism, and Energy
Ruby is strongly linked to themes of passion, vitality, courage, and life force. Its deep red colour reflects blood, fire, and the heart, making it a powerful symbol of love, strength, and motivation. As July is a month of peak energy and warmth, ruby aligns beautifully with its bold seasonal spirit.
In crystal healing traditions, ruby is believed to stimulate confidence, boost motivation, and encourage emotional resilience. It is often associated with grounding energy while also igniting enthusiasm and joy. Ruby is thought to support heart energy while promoting determination and a strong sense of purpose.
🔗 Discover the Symbolic and Spiritual Meanings of Ruby Crystals
Shades, Varieties, and Buying Tips
Ruby is celebrated for its red colour, but not all rubies look the same. Depending on where you are in the world, a rubies shade can range from vivid pinkish red to deep, slightly purplish red. Some countries, like America, only deep the gem to be a ruby when it’s not got an undertone of pink.
The most prized rubies display a rich, saturated red often described as pigeon blood, with a perfect balance of brightness and depth.
Ruby is a variety of corundum, the same mineral family as sapphire. Like many natural gemstones, rubies often contain inclusions. These internal features can give insight into a stone’s origin and formation, and in some cases contribute to special optical effects like asterism in star rubies.
When buying rubies, colour is the most important factor. A vivid, well saturated red will usually be more valuable than a cleaner stone with weaker colour. Clarity still matters, but minor inclusions are expected and accepted in natural rubies. Transparency is also key, as overly cloudy stones can appear dull.
Most rubies on the market are heat treated to enhance colour and clarity. This is standard practice and widely accepted, but treatments should always be disclosed. Untreated rubies with strong colour and good transparency are rare and command premium prices.
🔗 Working with ruby gemstones? Have a read of my Jewellers Guide to Ruby
Fun Facts About Rubies
- Ruby is one of the traditional big three coloured gemstones, alongside emerald and sapphire, and has been prized for thousands of years.
- Rubies are traditionally gifted not only for July birthdays but also to celebrate 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
- Synthetic rubies were the first gemstones ever successfully created in a laboratory, with early versions developed in the late 1800s.
Modern Alternatives for July’s Birthstone
Although ruby is the official birthstone for July, some modern lists mention alternative red gemstones:
Carnelian, with its warm reddish orange tones, is an affordable and cheerful option.
Red spinel offers vibrant red colour and excellent durability. As it was often confused with ruby in historical jewellery, it makes sense for it to be a modern day alternative.
Ruby’s Enduring Place in July Birthstone Lore
Ruby stands as a gemstone of passion, strength, and vibrant life energy. Its fiery colour, powerful symbolism, and rich history make it a perfect match for July birthdays. Whether you are a collector, a jeweller, or someone who simply loves bold gemstones, ruby brings warmth and intensity to every piece it adorns.
🛍️ Interested in using pre-owned rubies in your next design? View our current Ruby selection
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