July has officially arrived, which means it’s finally time to get outside and enjoy the summer sunshine. But let’s not forget about all of the July babies born during this scorching month! If someone you love celebrated a birthday in July, they’re fortunate to have one of the most beautiful birthstones imaginable – radiant red ruby. What makes the July birthstone so special? Continue reading to find out!
Ruby has long been one of the most beloved gems, treasured for centuries among a variety of cultures. In ancient India, ruby was considered the “king” of precious stones, prized for its intense color, rarity, and powerful healing properties. Because the deep red color of ruby resembles that of blood, the gem served as a symbol of youth and vitality in traditional Indian jewelry. In medieval Europe, ruby was believed to bring about wealth, wisdom, and success, and was a popular adornment among the wealthy.
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, which comes in a range of captivating colors. Red corundum is known as ruby, pink-orange corundum is called padparadscha, and any other color of corundum is considered to be sapphire. Ruby derives its vivid crimson color from trace amounts of chromium. The vibrant red hue of a ruby radiates passion, fire, and intensity, cementing its status as the most romantic gemstone. Burmese ruby is the most valuable variety of this July birthstone, thanks to its rich shade of red with a slight blue hue. This color of ruby is sometimes referred to as “pigeon’s blood,” and is exclusive to the Mogok Valley mines of Myanmar.
