July's Birthstone

Ruby is July's birthstone.

The word ruby comes from the word ruber, Latin for red. It is a variety of corundum and a red version of the stone we know as sapphire. Rubies are found in Kenya, Thailand and Burma. They rank a 9 on the Mohs scale.

Because of its red color, folklore tells us that a ruby can heal ailments of the blood or even assuage bleeding. Rubies are also thought to be protective of one's home and land as well as improving harmony with others.

Virtually all rubies (like many colored gemstones) are heated to enhance their color and clarity. Rubies come in a variety of shades of red, from a light pink-red to a deep wine-red. It is rare to find a cut ruby with a weight over 5 carats, but those that exist are very valuable.