The birthstone for July is the ruby, as stated in this poem, published by Tiffany & Co in 1870, although nobody knows who wrote it and when.
Those who in July are born;
Then they’ll be exempt and free
From love’s doubts and anxiety.
Power and protection
The ruby was the gemstone of choice for tribal kings and warriors, as it was believed to offer power and protection. This beautiful red gem has always been associated with passion, this, allied with its associations with wisdom, good fortune and success also made the ruby the stone of love. The wearer of the ruby need have none of the anxieties and concerns most lovers feel, as they have made the right choice in matters of the heart!
The ruby is the hardest of the precious gemstones, meaning that it is ideal for everyday wear. It’s value lies in its colour: rubies are available in a range of red hues from purplish and bluish red to orange-red. The brightest and most valuable colour for a ruby is known as a ‘Burmese Ruby’ or ‘Pigeon Blood Red’ – this does not refer to the blood of a pigeon, but in fact to the colour of a white, or albino, pigeon’s eye. The term ‘Burmese Ruby’ reflects the fact that the best rubies come from Burma (now called Myanmar) dug from the Mogok Valley mines.
Blue cousin
Fascinatingly, the ruby is part of the Corundum family, the only other member of which is the sapphire. Sapphires come in a whole rainbow of colours, except red. Red sapphires are claimed as rubies. Red Corundum gems that don’t have the correct red hue are simply called sapphires. The true red gemstone is very rare and its rarity gives it the value it has carried for millennia.
Rubies can be cut as faceted stones or cabochon, as shown here. Often these stones will display an asterism – or six-pointed star, giving them the name Star Rubies. This mysterious, fascinating stone, if also demonstrating real clarity, is highly sought after and exceedingly valuable.