The beautiful and richly red Ruby is one of the most stunning gemstones in the world. So, if you celebrate your birthday in July you will be pleased to know that Ruby is your birthstone.
Geologists believe that Rubies are one of the few natural materials that have been around since the dawn of time. There are some that believe that Rubies could have come about when the continents collided, more than 50 million years ago. This monumentally precious and eye-catching stone has an opulent history and interesting properties and uses.
Whether it’s your birthstone or you just have a love and fascination for this gorgeous red stone, all the facts about rubies you need to know are below.
What Is The Birthstone For July?
Ruby is the only stone associated with July as a birthstone. There are some months of the year that have 2 or 3 stones affiliated with their birthday month, but July is not one of them. Interestingly enough, Rubies are also associated with the traditional gift given to someone on their 15th anniversary and their 40th. A 40th anniversary is even called a Ruby Anniversary for this reason!
What Is The July Birthstone Color?
Rubies are well known for their color, the most popular color being red and variations thereof. The highest quality of rubies are sparkling red with a purple tinge and are transparent too. There are some lower quality Rubies that have a cloudier look to them and usually have a brown, orange or pink underlying tone, these are less valuable.
Rubies are a naturally occurring form of a substance called corundum, this is the same mineral found in Sapphire stones. When corundum is in its purest form it has no color, any coloration that occurs in corundum stems from trace amounts of chemical impurities. One of the main chemical impurities found in Rubies is chromium, and this is what gives them their amazing red color.
Chromium is also responsible for the slight weakening of the stone’s strength and can be the reason that a Ruby could crack or split. The higher the chromium content, the richer and deeper the red of the stone will be but also the more likely it is to crack or split when handled.
What Is The Meaning Of The Ruby Birthstone?
The beautiful Ruby has a rich history and appears many times in history books, lore, stories, and even in the Bible. In some of these stories and folklore, it was believed that the Ruby would assist its user in predicting when danger was afoot. It also appears in many historical stories claiming that it cures inflammatory diseases and repels evil. It was believed to be the stone of passion, love, confidence, good fortune, and integrity.
Burmese warriors were convinced that the Ruby would keep them safe when in battle and protect them from all harm. These warriors used to fix Rubies to their armour to keep them safe, and even insert them into their skin.
In Medieval Europe, people believed that Rubies would gift its owner health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Benefits And Healing Properties Of July Birthstone
Ruby is known to be used for healing exhaustion and bringing energy to someone who lacks it. On the flip side of that is the fact that it has been known to sometimes overstimulate a sensitive person or increase their irritability. Rubies are used by crystal healers to detoxify the body, blood, and lymph systems. They have also been known to bring down fevers and treat infectious diseases, especially diseases of the blood.
These red gemstones enhance passion, motivation and assist the user in setting and achieving realistic goals. Rubies can flood your life with positivity, remove negative forces and energies from your life, and bring about a sense of humbled leadership.
On an emotional level, Ruby is believed to balance negative self-talk and promote self-confidence. It can also be very healing for sexual issues and can even be known to attract sexual activity.
Ruby goes hand in hand with the passionate loving force of the heart chakra, assisting in balancing and clearing the heart space and promoting a lust for life. It is also known to support and stimulate the base chakra with its fiery, red, and passionate healing. If you struggle with any reproductive issues then using Ruby in your life will help heal these.
How To Use Ruby Birthstone?
If you are wanting to use a Ruby birthstone for physical and emotional healing then wearing it daily in the form of a necklace or a ring is the easiest way to put its magical powers to use.
Should you wish to utilize it for balancing your heart or root chakra and any issues related to those spots in your body, then lie down with your stone and place it on the area needing healing. Bring yourself into a quiet meditation and use the energy of the stone to bring you the healing you need.
How To Care For And Cleanse Ruby Birthstone?
One of the most important tips to take away from this article is that the birthstone for July should always be stored on its own. Rubies are easily scratched and damaged when stored with other stones or anything with a rough surface. Store them in a lined box or a soft pouch.
If you’d like to clean your Ruby birthstone you can run it under some warm water and use a gentle non-abrasive soap and a soft cloth or brush to clean it.
Some professional jewellers also use ultrasonic and steam cleaners to clean untreated and heat-treated Rubies.
What to look for when buying Ruby birthstones?
Large Rubies with a vibrant color and clarity are the rarest and most difficult to find. The larger the stone, the more expensive it becomes. Inclusions in Rubies are common, but thankfully do not decrease the value of the stone.
In fact, they actually are one of the ways that jewellers can distinguish natural gemstones from synthetic ones. A rough and freshly mined Ruby has a dull or ‘greasy’ look, but as soon as it’s cut it starts to glow and shimmer.
What Are July’s Alternative Birthstones?
As much as Ruby is seemingly the only stone known as being the July birthstone, there is some research that suggests that there are a few alternatives to Ruby.
These are Turquoise, Sardonyx, Carnelian, and Onyx. These beautiful stones may occasionally be seen as birthstones for July, especially when Ruby is not accessible for someone who is born during this month.
A vibrant red gem with wonderful meaning and purpose, this birthstone for July really is a stunning addition to any jewelry collection. Or pair of red slippers!