Ruby Birthstone Jewelry: Everything to Know About July's Birthstone

Are you looking for a strong, colorful stone? While they aren't nearly as popular as sapphires, rubies are just as resilient and only slightly softer than diamonds. This makes them the perfect pick for your next gift or personal jewelry selection. Better yet, if you're born in July, rubies are your birthstone. All the more reason to wear them!

Here's what you should know about July's birthstone and all the occasions to choose ruby jewelry.

About the Ruby

What is the July Birthstone?

The ruby is both the modern and traditional birthstone for July. It's among the most popular and coveted precious gems. The name for the ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber" which means red. Red is the color of love and passion, which is often why rubies are eye-catching to people.

July Birthstone Meaning

Rubies are associated with wealth and prosperity. As a result, you can often find rubies in ancient crowns. In this context, they also represented good fortune and courage.

The deep red color of the ruby gemstone is also connected to

· Love

· Passion

· Raw emotion

· Protection

Ruby Birthday Meaning

Rubies are traditionally gifted on either 40th birthdays or 40th anniversaries. In modern times, however, you may also see people giving them on the 15th anniversary. Red ruby jewelry reminds us of our lives' love and passion, making it an ideal gift for significant others' birthdays.

Ruby Birthstone Meaning

Have you ever wondered where birthstones come from? In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, birthstones are mentioned by their colors. Aaron was a priest in Exodus who wore a special breastplate with 12 unique gemstones. Each of these gemstones represented the 12 tribes of Israel.

Additionally, in Revelation (the final book of the Bible), the 12 gemstones are mentioned again. Here, they become part of the new foundation of the New Jerusalem. Astrologers began to attribute one gemstone to each month of the year and the 12 zodiac signs. They believed that the gemstones brought healing power or protection from evil to people born in those months. 

If you're born in July, then your birthstone is ruby. They have a reputation for improving the health and well-being of people born in the month. Allegedly, they protect against misfortune and allow their wearer to live in harmony with others. Red symbolizes strength, courage, and emotional support for the weather. Rubies can encourage removing negative energy from your life and treat exhaustion.

Occasions to Gift Rubies

July Birthday Gifts

Does someone you love have a birthday coming up in July? You can't go wrong with a solitaire necklace. Here's what we suggest.

Ruby Birthstone Necklace

This Single Ruby Necklace is the ideal gift for someone in your life. Whether you're gifting to a girlfriend or a friend, it's a budget-friendly option that still highlights their birthstone.

40th Anniversary Jewelry

The traditional 40th-anniversary gift is a ruby. If you (or your parents) have the big 40th coming up, you might want to consider a gift involving rubies. Gifts for her might include a gorgeous new ring or a tennis bracelet. You can never go wrong with a ruby engagement ring.

Ruby Birthstone Ring

This Gold Ruby Heart Ring has love written all over it. It's perfect for a couple celebrating their long-term relationship, and it adds a bit of pizzazz to your hands. If your lover enjoys unique jewelry, this is a great option.

Ruby Birthstone Jewelry Set

A gorgeous Ruby Tennis Bracelet that swaps diamonds for rubies. This is ideal for a chronic-bracelet wearer. It can be worn by itself or as part of a stack. Pair it with a Ruby Tennis Choker for the ultimate ruby birthstone jewelry set. 

July Push Present

Will your wife or partner give birth in July? Gift her a beautiful pair of ruby earrings to symbolize the birthstone of your new baby as a push present.

Ruby Birthstone Earrings

These Ruby and Diamond Disc Earrings are fun but not overly extravagant. They're perfect for a new mom because she can wear them without worrying that her newborn will grab at them (like would happen with a necklace or dangly earrings) or that her fingers may be too swollen for a ring to fit correctly. For something more simple, opt for simple ruby stud earrings.

How to Clean Rubies

When's the last time you cleaned the jewelry you wear regularly? Most people can't come up with a clear answer, but jewelers recommend a professional cleaning every six months for frequently worn items. At-home cleanings can happen more regularly.

When you purchase something as valuable as rubies, you want to ensure you properly care for them. Rubies are hard and durable stones — ranking 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Here's how to clean your rubies at home using soap and water.

• Avoid using any harsh detergents or strong solvents like alcohol, acetone, or paint thinner
• Take your ruby ring, earrings, or the charm from your ruby necklace and put them in a bowl with warm water and soap
• Allow the jewelry to sit for 15 to 20 minutes
• Remove the piece after the time has elapsed and gently rub them with a cloth or old toothbrush 
• Gemstone settings are best cleaned with a soft brush as it allows you to reach the corners of the setting where dirt and grime often accumulate
• Be as gentle as possible to avoid bending any prongs
• You can also scratch the metal if it's gold, so be as gentle as possible
• Rinse thoroughly with water and then dry it with a soft cloth

Because rubies are durable, they are generally safe to wear. However, it's not impossible to damage one. Thus, we recommend removing your ruby jewelry when engaging in vigorous activity or completing housework. When you keep your rubies away from harsh chemicals, they last longer and require cleaning less often. 

How to Spot a Fake Ruby

Are you worried about purchasing a fake ruby? A few tell-tale signs can help you find out if you have authentic ruby jewelry on your hands. Here's what we recommend.

1. Do the rub test

The rub test involves rubbing a ruby across a smooth, hard surface to see if the gem leaves any color behind. A good surface to use is glass. It has only a five on the Mohs scale, and a genuine ruby is a 9. Thus, it's an imitation if your ruby leaves color behind on the glass.

That said, just because your ruby doesn't leave color behind doesn't mean it's genuine. It could be another hard gemstone masquerading as a ruby. However, the rub test is an excellent place to start!

2. Be cautious of "great deals"

Everyone loves a great deal. However, if the jewelry shop you're purchasing from is running a sale or discount, you want to ensure you're paying what your ruby is actually worth. As the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Natural rubies are rare, and as a result, they're also expensive. Synthetic rubies are about 20 percent cheaper than natural rubies. Imitation rubies tend to be 90 percent cheaper than natural rubies. Price rubies at a few different shops before you decide to buy. There are other red gemstones such as garnet that are a red color but not as expensive. Similar to a diamond, the price of a ruby will depend on the carat weight, color, inclusions, and clarity.

3. Ask a pro

The best way to determine whether you have a genuine ruby is to have a professional gemologist examine it. They have the training and tools to distinguish real rubies from fake ones.

History of Rubies

Sapphires and rubies are both part of the corundum family. The rarest and most valuable variety of the mineral corundum family is a Burmese ruby. Rubies get their color from the element chromium. The more chromium in a ruby, the deeper the red hue. Rubies are only red. However, they can have tones such as purplish, brown, etc.

Rubies are a historically significant stone and have long been desirable. Early in history, it was thought that they were treasured because their color was similar to the redness of blood that flowed through their veins. They are mentioned four times in the Bible and are associated with beauty and wisdom each time. They have been called the most precious of the 12 stones created by God.

In Sanskrit, the ruby is called "ratnaraj" which means "king of precious stones." Rubies were also included in Roman scholar Pliny's Natural History in the first century AD.

Hindus have also held rubies in high regard. In ancient times, they believed those who offered rubies to the god Krishna were granted rebirth as emperors. They divided the ruby into four castes. The genuine Oriental ruby was deemed a "Brahmin," and someone in possession of a Brahmin was believed to have an advantage of perfect safety.

In India, people believe that rubies allow their owners to live in peace. In Myanmar (formerly Burma), warriors possessed rubies to help make them invincible. To fortify them, they would insert the rubies into their flesh and make them a part of their bodies.

As the western world was born, rubies became one of the most sought-after gems of European royalty and the upper classes symbolizing health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. The desire for rubies has never died — they're the perfect gift.

Final Thoughts

Invest in gorgeous ruby jewelry — the July birthstone — today! This is the ideal gift for someone born in July, giving birth in the coming weeks, or celebrating an upcoming 40th wedding anniversary.

Our mission at Alexis Jae is to help people skip the middleman and invest in high-quality, ethically-sourced jewelry. We only sell fine jewelry (14k or 18k rose gold, white gold, and yellow gold) featuring precious or semi-precious stones. Start shopping today and save 50% off traditional retail prices! Visit here to learn more.