July Birthstone: Ruby

Published: Jul 9, 2020

Author:

Heather Simpson

Summer is in full swing! The nights are getting longer and the weather is, oh, so lovely! Not only is summertime arguably the best time of the year, but to top things off, those born in July share the highly prized and striking ruby birthstone.

Rubies are one of the most coveted stones of all due to their rarity, preciousness, and durability! On the Mohs scale of hardness, rubies are rated at 9, which means that they are the second hardest stone only to a diamond. Their hardness also makes them ideal to wear in all types of jewelry because they are resistant to chipping and scratching! The vibrant red stone gets the ruby name from the Latin word “rubens” which translates to “red.” The red hue of a ruby is said to be the color of love and passion and the color is the most important feature! The color or rubies range in varied shades of red. You can find them in pinkish red to dark red, but deep red with a hint of purple is considered to be the finest color. This specific color variation is referred to as “pigeon blood” in the jewelry industry (a little morbid, but that’s the term). Rubies of this color are most often discovered in Mogok Valley mines in Myanmar. The rubies have trace amounts of mineral chromium which helps to provide the stones with such rich coloring. The more chromium found in the stone then the more vibrant red the stone will be.

Throughout history, some people believed that rubies could be used to predict danger or misfortune, as well as having healing powers to cure inflammatory diseases. In particular, India’s culture has a deep past with rubies, and it refers to them as the “king of precious stones.” Meanwhile, rubies are considered to be a symbol of power and youthful energy in the United States.

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) has remained one of the oldest sources for fine rubies for over 5 centuries. Other sources of this precious gemstone include mines in Vietnam, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar!

You can treat a loved one who would admire the coveted stone below!