Ruby - July's Birthstone

Ruby, the Birthstone of July

“The Carbuncle (ruby) eclipses by its blaze, all shining gems and casts its fiery rays.”

-         Marbode of Rennes, De Lapidibus (1035-1123)

Summer is in full swing as July arrives!

The birthstone for July is ruby, the red jewel once called the “king of gems”, or “Ratnanayaka” in Sanskrit writings.

~ Assorted ruby gemstones, photo curtesy of Stuller

This stunning fiery gemstone can vary in color and tone. Red with hints of purple or orange to even slightly pinkish hues encompass rubies. The range from light to vivid to dark in tone creates a unique color that seems to glow.

This red is hard to match in any other stone.

As a member of the corundum family of minerals (alongside sapphire) the color of rubies comes from chromium. 

The modern name “ruby” is thought to come from the Latin word “Ruber”, roughly meaning, “red”.

~Ruby and diamond pendant by Beverley K.

Although, in ancient times gemstones were only grouped by color, and many red gems were called “carbuncle”, including rubies. Carbuncle was the Roman name, and they believed the red color of rubies brought wealth, but that the color would fade if misfortune was close at hand.

Ruby is not only the birthstone of July, it is also the gemstone associated with Cancer, the Zodiac sign of the Crab.

~ Ruby flower ring by Zeghani

Red is a powerful color in many cultures, and ruby’s reputation of a stone that embodied wealth, health and good luck is well known in China and India to name a few. The tradition of ruby being a helpful and auspicious stone extends into modern times.

These gems were not only worn as jewelry, but were often inlaid in harnesses, weapons, artwork and ornament armor.

~ Ruby earrings by Amali and Stanton Color

Rubies, alongside other gemstones, were listed in records of the Silk Road, putting trading of these fine jewels round 200 BC.

Hindu belief holds that rubies were gifts from the gods, and that if you held them in your hand, you could feel heat. They also had a story for the origin of all gemstones that involved the slaying of a demi-god; rubies were said to be droplets of blood that fell to earth.

Fine rubies often traded and sold for more than any other gemstone, including diamonds. They are still considered one of the most prized and treasured jewels today.

Red brings to mind fire and love, and even in smaller sizes ruby’s glowing color brings warmth and light.

~ Ruby and diamond rings in white gold by Jye's International

Rubies have always symbolized strength, wealth, health and good luck, and they continue to carry that legacy forward.

Halfway through a year and those are truly things to aspire to!

 ~Blog by Isabelle Corvin, Staff Gemologist and Merchandising Manager at Panowicz Jewelers