As well as being the birthstone for the month of July, rubies are also the gemstone for the 15th and 40th years of marriage.  Mining of rubies date back over 2,500 years and today is mined in many parts of the world including Kenya, Burma, Thailand, India, Tanzania, Australia, Sri Lanka and the USA.

• July's Birthstone: Ruby
• Birthstone Properties: Fire and emotion
• Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire

Called the "Lord of Gems" by ancient Hindus, rubies are one of the most highly prized gems throughout history. The fiery glow of rubies is said to come from the gemstone's internal and eternal flame.

As a result, rubies are the symbol of everlasting love and the ancients believed that if held in the left hand will bring good fortune.  If you are looking for an alternative to diamond engagement rings, you might want to consider the ruby.

When is a Ruby not a Ruby?

Ruby Ring

The word ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum that is called sapphire when it is any colour except red…only when it is red does it earn the designation of "ruby."

You would be wrong to think that rubies only come in the colour red.  They can in fact vary from orangey red to a purplish red.  But of course true red rubies are the most prized.

The ruby is a very durable gemstone, surpassed in hardness only by diamonds. But despite its hard nature, it has a soft side. According to legend, you should never make faces at a ruby in a museum or ignore it because it will grow dull if slighted or not worn or seen.

Deliver Me From Evil

Royalty chose rubies as a powerful talisman that could help protect them against evil by anticipating its arrival. Monarchs thought that rubies would darken when peril was danger, and then return to its original colour once the threat was past.

Some say that rubies can only be in the hands of the rightful owner.  I wouldn't trust this "in-built anti-theft device" if I were you!

A Ruby Relation

Gemstones that are not rubies are also called rubies. The Balas Ruby is a type of spinel (a hard glassy mineral). Bohemian Rubies are derived from rose quartz, and Siberian "rubies" are really red or pink tourmaline. In the United States, the American, Cape, Montana, and Rocky Mountain "rubies" are really different varieties of garnet.

Next:  Peridot - August's Birthstone 

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