July Birthstone: Ruby Color, Meaning, History & Care

If you were born in July or are shopping for someone who was, your July birthstone is one of the most valuable colored gems in the world. Ruby is the official birthstone of July. It is the red variety of the mineral corundum, colored by chromium, and it ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just below diamond.

Ruby stands for passion, courage, and protection. It is also the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Every day from July 1 to July 31 shares the same stone, so your exact date does not change it.

At Beads of Cambay, we source and grade ruby beads for jewelry makers. This guide also covers how treatments change care and how to judge a strand before you buy.

Ruby has held the July spot since 1912, when American jewelers standardized the modern birthstone list. The trade group behind that list is now Jewelers of America. Other months have gained new stones since then, but July has never changed.

The name comes from the Latin word ruber, which means red. In ancient Sanskrit, ruby was called ratnaraj, or "king of precious stones." Ruby, emerald, and sapphire are still called the big three of colored gems.

Ruby and sapphire are the same mineral, but only red corundum is called ruby. Blue, yellow, and most pink stones are sold as sapphire. Among common gems, only diamond is harder than ruby. That is why it holds up so well in rings and bracelets you wear every day.

Ruby ranges from pinkish red to a deep, slightly purplish crimson. Chromium creates the red, and it also makes many rubies glow faintly in daylight, a trait called fluorescence.

The most prized shade is called pigeon's blood. It is a pure, vivid red with a hint of blue. Labs such as GRS and Gübelin now use the term as a color grade, not as proof that a stone came from Myanmar.

Many rubies hold fine, needle-like inclusions called silk. When the silk lines up and the stone is cut as a smooth dome, it can show a six-rayed star. These are star rubies.

When we grade ruby bead strands, the color shifts a little from bead to bead. That variation is normal for natural stone. A strand with perfectly even color deserves a closer look for dye or glass.

July's birthstone has carried much the same meaning for centuries. Here is what ruby has stood for across cultures:

• Love and passion: Its red has long signaled deep affection.
  
  

• Courage and protection: Warriors in old Burma believed ruby made them hard to defeat in battle.
  
  

• Wealth and wisdom: In medieval Europe, ruby was linked to health, wisdom, wealth, and luck in love.
  
  

• A warning sign: Some cultures believed a ruby turned darker when danger was near.

These meanings come from history and tradition. They are not medical or scientific claims.

The Mogok Valley in Myanmar has produced fine rubies for more than five centuries. Vietnam's Luc Yen area became a key source in the late 20th century. Mozambique is now a major source. Ruby is also mined in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

Two auction results show how rare top rubies are. The 25.59-carat Sunrise Ruby from Myanmar sold for $30.3 million at Sotheby's Geneva in 2015. Then, in June 2023, the 55.22-carat Estrela de Fura from Mozambique sold for $34.8 million in New York. That is the highest price ever paid for a ruby at auction.

Not every red gem is a ruby. Here is how ruby compares to the two stones most often mistaken for it.

Spinel fooled jewelers for centuries. The Black Prince's Ruby in Britain's Imperial State Crown is actually a red spinel. Garnet, January's birthstone, is the budget-friendly red for beaded designs.

Does July have two birthstones? Officially, no. The modern list names only ruby. Still, two stones appear on older and alternative lists, and both are good picks when ruby is out of budget.

• Carnelian is an orange to reddish-brown chalcedony, 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. The Burke Museum lists it as an alternate July stone. Its warm color pairs well with gold.
  
  

• Onyx is a black or banded chalcedony, about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. Much of the black onyx sold today is dyed, a stable and long-accepted practice. Some modern charts pair onyx with July, often for Leos.

Neither stone replaces July's birthstone. Both work well as spacers or accent beads next to ruby.

July covers two signs. If you were born July 1 to 22, you are a Cancer, a sign often paired with moonstone and pearl. If you were born July 23 to 31, you are a Leo, and peridot is your sign stone. Your birthstone is still ruby, so you can wear both.

Most rubies sold today are heated. Heating improves color and clarity; the result is permanent, and the gem trade accepts it as standard practice.

Glass-filled ruby is different. These stones have surface-reaching cracks filled with high-lead glass. GIA notes that large numbers are on the market and that even lemon juice can damage the glass. Many dealers sell them as composite ruby.

Dyed ruby also exists, mostly in low-grade bead material. Always ask which treatment a stone has received. We list treatments on our product pages whenever we know them.

• Clean untreated or heated ruby with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse, then pat dry.
  
  

• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated and heated ruby.
  
  

• For glass-filled or dyed ruby, use only a damp cloth. Skip ultrasonic cleaners, steam, and acids.
  
  

• Store ruby away from softer stones. It will scratch garnet, onyx, and pearls.
  
  

• If your strand is on silk or nylon thread, restring it every year or two with regular wear.

Ruby is tough enough for daily wear, so the right piece depends on how you will use it.

• Rings are the classic choice, since ruby resists scratches.
  
  

• Earrings are an easy gift because there is no sizing.
  
  

• Necklaces work as a single pendant or a full strand of faceted rondelles.
  
  

• Bracelets can be a beaded stretch style or a chain with ruby accents.

Handmade ruby July birthstone jewelry starts with the bead. Faceted rondelles add sparkle. Smooth rondelles show depth of color. Ruby zoisite, and ruby in kyanite give a lower-cost, two-tone look. Ruby pairs well with gold vermeil and with neutral spacers like pearl.

When you shop July birthstone jewelry, ask three questions. Is it natural ruby? How was it treated? What metal is the setting or chain?

Officially, July has one: ruby. Carnelian and onyx appear on some older and alternative lists.

Ruby is the birthstone for July. It is also the gem for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

Yes. Fine rubies with a strong, even red color are rare, and top stones can cost more per carat than diamonds. Smaller rubies and ruby beads are far more affordable.

Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby resists scratches and suits rings and bracelets worn daily.

Cancers (July 1 to 22) are often paired with moonstone and pearl. Leos (July 23 to 31) are paired with peridot. Ruby belongs to all of July.

Natural ruby usually shows tiny inclusions and slight color shifts. A flawless, glassy stone at a low price may be synthetic or glass-filled. For valuable pieces, ask for a report from GIA or another major lab.

To start a piece for a July birthday, explore our ruby beads or browse our carnelian and onyx beads for a warmer or bolder look.

Read our guides to the other months:

 

• January Birthstone

• February Birthstone

• March Birthstone

• April Birthstone

• May Birthstone

• June Birthstone

• August Birthstone

• September Birthstone

• October Birthstone

• November Birthstone

• December Birthstone