July Birthstone: The Enduring Romance of Rubies

The July birthstone is the incomparable Ruby, a blood red gem that has long been associated with love and passion. Rubies are valued for their distinctive colour as well as their strength, as their hardness comes second only to diamonds. As well as their status at the July birthstone, rubies are the traditional gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

July Birthstone Meaning and History

Rubies have long been revered as gems, particularly in Asia. Records suggest that the July birthstone was being traded along the silk road as early as 200 BC. Not only were the gems being traded, but their value was immense. Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan offered to exchange a whole city for a large ruby.

Rubies in folklore have been believed to possess protective qualities, with ancient Chinese noblemen choosing to adorn their armour with the gems, or bury them beneath their homes. Warriors in ancient Myanmar even implanted the July birthstone into their skin for protection in battle. Ancient Hindu and Greek legends claimed that the inherent fire within rubies could boil water or melt wax. In Medieval Europe, people believed that rubies brought with them health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love.

The July birthstone is featured regularly in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament book of Exodus.  It is associated with blood, which is considered a life giving force. Therefore rubies are linked to vitality and passion.

Where Do Rubies Come From?

Rubies are a form of the mineral corundum, which is the same mineral as Sapphire. To become a ruby, the mineral must form in the Earth's crust with the rare element chromium present. Due to the rare geological conditions required for rubies to form, they are more rare than sapphires.

The two main providers of rubies in the world are Myanmar and Mozambique. Myanmar boasts the most longevity in ruby mining, and the more sought after gems. However, they are not considered ethical so we would not recommend seeking out a stone from this origin.

Unlike other varieties of gemstones, the mining origin of rubies does not preclude a visual difference. The colour variation and presence of fluorescence in rubies is not determined by the origin of the gems.

Rubies are also mined in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia,  Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. There have even been rubies found in Montana, USA.

 

How to Choose Your July Birthstone

Rubies command some of the highest prices for any coloured gemstone. Exceptional examples of the July birthstone regularly break auction records. When you are shopping for your July birthstone jewellery, you can consider the following factors.

Colour

Colour is the defining factor of rubies, and sets their value. The most sought after stones exhibit a vibrant red to purplish red colour, while rubies of lesser value may appear more orange or more strongly purple. A ruby will command a lower value if the colour is too dark or too unsaturated.

Clarity

The clarity of a gemstone refers to the presence of flaws, or inclusions. Rubies almost always have some inclusions, so their presence is not necessarily a devaluing factor. Inclusions can take many forms, which will have different effects on the look of the stone. If the inclusions are particularly large, or formed in a way that affects the colour of the gem, they can lower the value of the stone.

Cut

Due to the crystal structure of the July birthstone, it is most suited to be cut into cushion and oval shapes. Stone cutters take care to maximise the yield out of any piece of rough stone, so these shapes will be more common than round or pear cuts which require more wastage to achieve.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of a precious stone, and not as some believe, the measurements. Natural, high-quality rubies over one carat in weight are very rare. However, commercial quality stones can be found in larger sizes. The premium for rubies over one carat is high due to their rarity.

How To Care For Your July Birthstone Jewellery

Caring for your ruby will depend on whether or not the gem has been treated. It can be common for the July birthstone to undergo heat treatments to improve the colour of the gem. Rubies are heat treated to remove purple tones from their red hue. This is fairly common practice, and does not always mean an inferior stone.

Some rubies of lower quality may have been treated with glass to fill surface reaching inclusions. These gems need more care than other rubies, as this glass filling will not stand up to daily wear and tear.

Generally, the July birthstone can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Heat treated or untreated rubies can be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners. However, any glass-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned gently with a damp cloth. Ask your jeweller before you purchase July birthstone jewellery to ensure that you know all of the properties of your gem.

 

How to Buy a July Birthstone Ring

Rubies are a striking addition to a wedding band, eternity ring, or an engagement ring as either side stones or the centre stone. Before diamonds were popularised by marketing campaigns in the 1940s, rubies were a common choice for engagement rings due to the symbolism of passion.

If you would like to purchase a ring featuring a ruby, we would love to help you out! Get in touch with our in-house bespoke jeweller to discuss your options for this magnificent gem.