Ruby: What Makes the July Birthstone a Special Choice

Rubies are among the most popular gemstones in the world. And with good reason. Making up the top four gems on the globe, the prestigious status of rubies is not without merit. Rubies are recognised for their rich red hue and valued for their beauty and rarity. However, in addition to visually striking characters, rubies are also valued for other interesting reasons.

In this Education page, we will provide a deep dive into some of the key features of rubies: the July birthstone. What makes them what they are, how they make great choices of gemstone jewellery, and other key considerations that first-time ruby jewellery buyers have.

What are the July Birthstones? 

For those who are new to the subject of birthstones, here is a quick overview. A birthstone is a specific gem or two that are assigned to a particular month. Those born in the month of the stone are understood to have a deeper connection with the gemstone and what it represents. The idea of associating a gemstone or two with a month is an old one. The origins of the practice go back as far back as the time when birthstones were first used.

In later times, the idea of birthstones took on a more formal system. This is where the first gemstone list started to take shape, with the origins of the birthstone chart, as it is come to be known, getting started in the early part of the 20th century in Europe. With their formal recognition by the National Jewellers Association in 1912. Each month of the year is assigned a specific gemstone. Over time this started to change with a new list of gemstones with some new additions. When it comes to the July birthstone, the ruby has held its own from traditional times to the present. Along with a set of major gemstones on the list, rubies have remained as the gemstone of this month. So what makes rubies special? In answering this question, it is important to look at its main features.

Ruby Gemstone Characteristics

Rubies are part of the corundum family of gemstones. Which means they are part of the same group of gems that make up sapphires. This might sound interesting, given that the two main gemstones are viewed as distinct categories. But with good reason. Rubies are corundum crystals, which means they consist of primarily of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃), with the key difference being their trace mineral character: chromium. Chromium enters the hardening aluminium oxide during the process of its formation deep within the Earth’s surface over the course of millions of years.

What makes the rubies a distinct group of gemstones is that the presence of chromium in sufficient amounts in the aluminium oxide is very rare. But when they are present in sufficient quantities, it gives rise to the rich red hue. For comparisons, in the world of sapphires, there are certain pink or purplish variants, that also feature chromium at various levels but in smaller quantities and often in a mixture with other elements. And given their character as a hardened corundum stone, rubies are extremely durable, scoring a solid 9.0 on the Mohs scale for hardness. 

The key feature of rubies is that they are the undisputed leader when it comes to red gemstones. It is important to note that rubies are not the only red gemstones in the world. As other top crimson, red or gemstones with similar hues make up this range. Rubies, however, have, thanks to the rich deep red hues, and great rarity (rarer than diamonds or sapphires) made them a top choice. That has historically given them the title of “king of gemstones”. So it is no surprise that rubies are a top choice in the world today.

Ruby Meaning and Symbolism

When it comes to picking a gemstone of the month, the choice is often determined by factors that go beyond the visual character and beauty of the stone. When it comes to rubies, are a gemstone rich in symbolism and meaning? And depending on what part of the world you come from or what mystical tradition you subscribe to, they have something for almost everyone.

As a birthstone rubies are known for their connection with the human body. Notably, their blood-red character and glow are meant to represent physical well-being, strength and passion. In parts of Burma (where some of the best rubies are mined) rubies stones, in times of old were associated with physical strength and were believed to imbue warriors with power as they set forth into battle. In the Hindu Vedic tradition, the ruby is associated with the root ‘chakra’ and is associated with a person’s foundation, maintaining their balance. The use of red gemstones like rubies is believed to aid the wearer, bringing balance to their lives.

In Western and Christian traditions, the ruby is a greatly valued precious stone. It is one of the twelve stones that make up the foundations of a new Jerusalem. And is greatly valued for its beauty and character. It is a natural choice for those who are born in the month of July to opt for this stone.

Ruby Countries of Origin

When it comes to countries of origin rubies follow a similar pattern to sapphire-producing nations. Though not as widespread, owing to the same core mineral character, rubies are found in the top gemstone-producing countries with the likes of Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), and Vietnam. The entry of new players notably in South Eastern Africa has added to the number of ruby-supplying nations. Other gemstone-producing nations like Ceylon (Sri Lanka) also supply rubies, but they tend to be of a less concentrated hue.

Arguably the best rubies in the world today come from Myanmar. Known for stones with deep red hues and great clarity. Myanmar is also known for its famous pigeon blood ruby, a distinct red variant in the range of hues. Historically rubies were sourced from countries like India, but the supply of stones today has considerably lessened.

When it comes to the mining of precious red gemstones, the processes tend to vary from country to country, and the type of deposit type in question. In much developing world in Asia, rubies are often sourced from secondary deposits such as sedimentary rock. Mining for rubies from primary deposits such as marble and the basaltic source is much harder requiring greater investment costs.

Natural or Lab-Grown Ruby

Another consideration that ruby gemstone buyers need to keep an eye on is the character of the ruby in question. Given the popularity of coloured gemstones and precious gems in general, the high demand has driven the market for synthetic alternatives which are more affordable, readily available, and for some, comes without the ethical concerns that accompany naturally sourced gemstones. The value of natural and lab grown varies in terms of market value: man-made rubies, are made with the exact materials as natural rubies, but in a much quicker time. And are generally made to uniform specifications in terms of clarity and colour. Natural rubies on the other hand carry a higher level of perceived value in addition to the market price. So here is it is best to request gemstone certificates to verify their character

Buying Quality Ruby Jewellery

No discussion of rubies or any gemstone is complete without an assessment of how they would perform in the top fine jewellery range. When it comes to rubies and fine jewellery, a set of core principles hold true. Notable are the quality of the gemstone in question, which is determined by the gemstone’s carat, cut, clarity and colour. Along with the country of origin and other additions such as treatment (heating). These factors in aggregate come to affect the final quality of the ruby and will affect how the gemstone is how is perceived.

When it comes to picking the right ruby for your gemstone jewellery a number of factors need to be considered. In addition to the four gem quality factors mentioned, potential buyers must pay close attention to the jewellery type in question and if they are going to incorporate another type of gemstone into the same ring type. For example ruby engagement ring buyers who wish to feature a combined diamond and ruby ring setting, then it might be advisable to go for a bigger ruby gemstone with diamond side stones. As rubies on average tend to be priced lower. But this is not a given the rarity of the stone.

When it comes to engagement ring designs for rubies, there is really no hard and fast rule. The principle is does the colour of the gemstone match your style? Is the gemstone type to your liking? In what jewellery type do you wish to showcase its colour and glow? Once you have answered these questions the next key question is finding the right jeweller who can service these demands. Have you made up your mind yet?