JULY BIRTHSTONE
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Ruby is the July birthstone – and it’s one of the most coveted of gems. The name is
derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red” – the color of love and passion.
Few things catch the eye like the ruby birthstone. The finest color of the birthstone for
July is a deep red with a hint of purple, called “pigeon’s blood” in the trade. A variety of
the mineral corundum, ruby gets its color from trace amounts of the element chromium.
The more chromium, the stronger the red. Here’s what you need to know about this
beautiful July birthstone so you can better choose one for yourself or a loved one who
was born in the month of July.
RUBY BIRTHSTONE
RUBY BIRTHSTONE MEANING & HISTORY
In ancient India, ruby was called the “king of precious stones” for its rarity, hardness
(second only to diamond), beauty and seemingly mystical powers. Long associated with
the life force blood, ruby was a symbol of power and youthful energy in Indian jewelry.
In past centuries, some believed this birthstone for July could predict misfortune or
danger, and others claimed it would cure inflammatory diseases and soothe anger.
Burmese warriors believed it made them invincible in battle. Medieval Europeans
maintained that rubies bestowed health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Art Deco carved ruby and diamond necklace by Mauboussin circa 1930. The ruby
beads are secured to the frame by white metal posts capped with a tiny diamond.
Photo: Robert Weldon/GIA. Courtesy: Private Collector
In addition to being the July birthstone, ruby is traditionally given for the 15 and
th
40 wedding anniversaries.
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WHERE ARE RUBIES FOUND?
Our search for the July birthstone starts in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), one of
the oldest recorded sources of fine rubies. For more than five centuries, the Mogok area
in Myanmar has produced some of the most sought-after rubies – vibrant red beauties
softened by light-scattering inclusions and a glowing red fluorescence. The region is a
place of weathered marble and ancient Buddhist temples.
A classic view of Mogok town, dominated by the Chan Thar Gyi Pagoda (left) and
arranged around its lake, which was created from a gem mine worked during British
colonial times. Photo: Vincent Pardieu
Since the late 20th century, Vietnam has been another important source for the July
birthstone. The Luc Yen region in northern Vietnam, where rainforest-clad mountains
rise over broad paddy fields, produces rubies of red to purplish red color. Farther south,
the Quy Chau district has also yielded many fine rubies. Today, artisanal miners work
the soil in hopes of finding a gem that will change their fortunes.
A small village sits at the base of the mountains in the ruby-bearing Luc Yen region.
Photo: Vincent Pardieu/GIA
Mozambique is an important new source for the July birthstone. This African nation is
home to the prolific mines at Montepuez. Rubies found there have been compared to
the famed gems of Mogok.
For many years in the late 1900s, the ruby deposits along the border between Thailand
and Cambodia were the major source of rubies in the marketplace. Other important
producers of the July birthstone include Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar.
RUBY BIRTHSTONE CARE & CLEANING
The 5.00 ct oval ruby in this designer ring is set in platinum with 18k rose gold,
surrounded by halos of round rubies and diamonds. Courtesy: Omi Privé
Rubies are often heat treated to remove purplish coloration, leaving a purer red. The
process can also remove “silk” (minute needle-like inclusions) that can cause a gem to
appear lighter in tone and be more opaque. The trade typically accepts heat treatment,
as it is stable to normal conditions of wear and care. However, rubies may also be
subjected to lattice diffusion treatment and dyeing. In lower-quality material, surface-
reaching fractures and cavities may be filled with a glass to decrease their visibility so
the gem appears more transparent. Some of these treatments may make the ruby more
vulnerable to damage during normal wear and care.
Before you buy, always ask if your ruby has been treated and by what method. The
Federal Trade Commission requires disclosure of treatments that affect a gemstone’s
perceived value. A GIA Identification Report is important in identifying if a stone is
natural or synthetic and whether it has been treated in any fashion.
In most cases, the July birthstone can be safely cleaned with warm soapy water and a
soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated
and lattice diffusion–treated stones. Glass-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned
with a damp cloth.
