The birthstone for July is the ruby. The ruby’s deep red hue has been historically associated with passion, protection, and prosperity.
Rubies have been highly valued since ancient times, with records of trade along the North Silk Road in China as early as 200 B.C. These gems were often associated with nobility and worn by European royalty for protection and to signify
wealth and power.
Ancient warriors in Burma and China adorned their armour with rubies, believing the stones would protect them in battle. Rubies were also thought to provide invincibility when inserted into their flesh.
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The ruby’s name comes from the Latin word “ruber,” meaning red. In Sanskrit, it’s called “ratnaraj,” or king of precious stones. Historically, rubies have been symbols of love, commitment, and protection against misfortune and illness.
The ruby is the traditional gift for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, symbolising enduring passion and love. Ruby has been called the most precious of the 12 stones created by God.
The famous ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” are an iconic piece of film history. These slippers, although not made from real rubies, symbolise the magical and protective qualities attributed to the gem.
On July 22nd, Fura Gems unearthed a stunning 101-carat ruby in Mozambique, named the Estrela de Fura.
Rubies and sapphires belong to the mineral family corundum, one of the hardest minerals on Earth. Only the red variety of corundum crystal is a ruby.
Mozambique is an important new source for the July birthstone. This African nation is home to the prolific mines at Montepuez. Rubies found there have been compared to the famed gems of Mogok.
For many years in the late 1900s, the ruby deposits along the border between Thailand and Cambodia were the major source of rubies in the marketplace. Other important producers of the July birthstone include Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar.
