Born in July? Ruby is Your Birthstone

Ruby, the alluring and precious red birthstone of July!

From Wizard of Oz’s iconic Ruby slippers to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous Van Cleef & Arpels ruby ring, the legacy of this precious red gemstone is filled with symbolism and interesting facts. Read on to discover even more about the ruby, July’s birthstone!

• The word Ruby is derived from the base Latin word rubeus, which means red.
• Ruby is one of the traditional “cardinal gems” together with emerald, sapphire, and diamond
• Ruby gets its red coloring from trace amounts of chromium
• Rubies are said to symbolize protection and strength. In some Asian cultures, the precious gems were used to ornament armor, scabbards, and harnesses of nobleman due to their perceived powers.
• Rubies are referenced 4 times in the bible where they are associated with beauty and wisdom
• Ruby mining and production occurs primarily in Thailand, as well as Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and India. Burma is still widely recognized as the superlative source of fine rubies today due to their ability to fluorescence and emit an intense “glow” in sunlight.
• In 2011, an 8.24-carat Van Cleef & Arpels ruby ring belonging to Elizabeth Taylor sold at auction for $4.2 million
• The red variety of spinel was assumed to be ruby until scientists discovered it was a completely different gemstone in the late 18th century.
• In Frank Baum’s original book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s magic slippers are silver. MGM changed them to “ruby” red for the film to better take advantage of new color cinematography technology. While ruby in name and color only, the iconic slippers are perhaps the most famous pop cultural use of the gemstone and it’s famed red hue.
• The Sunrise Ruby is the world’s most expensive ruby and the world’s most expensive colored gemstone. The deep red stone is a 25.59 carat Burmese “pigeon blood” ruby that was mounted by Cartier in a ring flanked by two diamonds, The gem, considered among the rarest of all gemstones, was sold for a record $30.24 million to an anonymous buyer in Switzerland.

In honor of July birthdays we’ve curated a selection of ruby jewelry available at Provident Jewelry. We are also available to make you a custom jewelry gift with rubies, and any other type of gemstone and precious metal. Contact us for custom jewelry design.