Ruby: The Birthstone Of July And Why It Has Been Prized For Centuries

June 15, 2026 6 min read

Some gemstones earn their reputation through clever marketing. Ruby earned its place in history through colour alone. That vivid, uncompromising red has drawn traders, kings, and collectors for over two thousand years, and it remains one of the most sought-after stones in fine jewellery today.

If you were born in July, or you are buying for someone who was, the July birthstone is worth understanding properly. Not just the colour, but the meaning, the quality differences, and what to look for.

Browse Manna Jewellers' collection of ruby engagement rings, including bespoke and ready-to-wear designs in 9ct and 18ct gold.

Quick takeaways

Ruby is the sole birthstone of July. There is no alternative stone for this month.
The July birthstone colour ranges from pinkish red to deep crimson. The most prized shade is called pigeon's blood red.
Ruby gets its colour from chromium. More chromium means a more intense red.
Ruby scores 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond.
Ruby is also the traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary.
The name comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red.

What is the birthstone of July?

Ruby is the official birthstone of July, and unlike some months where two or three stones are recognised, July has just one.

It belongs to the corundum mineral family, which also includes sapphire. The difference comes down to colour. Any red corundum is classified as a ruby. Every other colour is a sapphire.

The red in a ruby comes from trace amounts of chromium in the crystal structure. More chromium means a deeper, more saturated red. Chromium also gives some rubies a natural fluorescence in sunlight, which collectors pay a significant premium to find.

What is the July birthstone colour?

The July birthstone colour runs from soft pinkish red through to deep blood red. Within that range, the most valuable shade has a specific name: pigeon's blood.

Pigeon's blood describes a pure, vivid red with a slight blue or violet undertone. It has been used in the gem trade for centuries to describe the finest Burmese rubies. Stones from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar have historically produced this colour more consistently than anywhere else, and unheated Burmese rubies command some of the highest per-carat prices of any coloured gemstone.

For everyday jewellery, the precise shade matters less than it does at auction. What matters is that the red looks alive, saturated, and consistent throughout the stone.

The history and meaning of the ruby birthstone

Ruby has been the July gemstone across many traditions long before modern birthstone lists were formalised. Ancient Indians called it "ratnaraj," meaning king of precious stones. Sanskrit texts over two thousand years old describe it as the most precious of all gems.

In medieval Europe, the stone was believed to bring health, wisdom, and prosperity. Warriors wore rubies in armour for protection. Some cultures held that the stone would darken in colour to signal danger.

The name comes from the Latin word "ruber," meaning "red." By the time the modern birthstone list was standardised by the American National Retail Jewellers Association in 1912, ruby's place as the July gemstone was already settled across multiple cultures.

Beyond its July birthstone, ruby also holds significance as the traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary, making it meaningful across various life occasions.

Is Ruby a good choice for daily wear?

Ruby is one of the most practical coloured gemstones for everyday jewellery. It scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, which measures resistance to scratching. Only diamond, at 10, scores higher.

Gemstone	Mohs hardness	Suitable for daily wear
Diamond	10	Yes
Ruby	9	Yes
Sapphire	9	Yes
Emerald	7.5-8	With care
Opal	5.5-6.5	Occasional wear only

This makes ruby a genuinely practical choice for rings, which take more contact than any other piece of jewellery. It is not immune to chips if struck at a sharp angle, but for normal daily use, it holds up well.

Expert tip: The National Association of Jewellers advises that when buying gemstone jewellery in a shop, you have the chance to inspect the stone and ask about treatments before committing. Most commercial rubies are heat-treated to improve colour and clarity. This is accepted practice across the trade, but untreated stones carry a higher value and should come with independent certification.

How to choose a ruby for a July birthday gift

The four quality factors for ruby follow the same framework as diamonds: colour, clarity, cut, and carat.

Colour is the most important. Look for a red that feels saturated and consistent, without brown or orange tints pulling it off.

Clarity comes second. Rubies almost always have inclusions, and minor ones are expected and accepted in the trade. Large inclusions that cloud the stone heavily should be avoided.

Cut affects how the colour reads. A well-proportioned cut concentrates the red in the face of the stone rather than the sides.

Carat weight affects price significantly. Fine quality rubies above one carat become exponentially rarer.

A smaller stone with excellent colour will always look more impressive than a larger stone with a dull or brownish-red colour. Colour is what people notice and remember.

At Manna Jewellers, ruby rings are available in a range of styles, from clean solitaire settings to diamond-shouldered designs in yellow, white, and rose gold. If you want something made to a specific brief, the bespoke design service allows you to choose the stone, metal, and setting from scratch.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is the birthstone of July?

Ruby is the only birthstone of July. Unlike some months, July has one official stone. Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, coloured red by trace chromium, and has been associated with July across multiple gem traditions. It was formally listed as July's birthstone in the modern calendar established in 1912.

2. What is the July birthstone colour?

The July birthstone colour ranges from pinkish red to deep crimson. The most valued shade is pigeon's blood, a pure, vivid red with a slight blue undertone, most commonly found in rubies from Myanmar. For jewellery purposes, any saturated, consistent red without brown or orange tints is desirable.

3. Is ruby a good gemstone for an engagement ring?

Ruby is an excellent engagement ring stone. It scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, is suitable for daily wear, and has centuries of prestige as one of the four precious gemstones. Its association with love and passion gives it meaning beyond aesthetics. It works well set in yellow, white, or rose gold.

4. What does the ruby birthstone mean?

Ruby has been linked with love, passion, courage, and vitality across many cultures and centuries. Ancient Indians called it the king of precious stones. In medieval Europe, it was believed to bring health and wisdom. Today, it is most commonly associated with deep love and strength, and it is also the traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary.

5. How do I know if a ruby is natural or treated?

Most commercially sold rubies have been heat-treated to improve colour and clarity. This is standard and broadly accepted. Untreated rubies are rarer and more valuable, and they should come with an independent gemological certificate from a recognised laboratory, such as the GIA or Gübelin, confirming that no heat treatment has been applied. Always ask your jeweller about treatment status before buying.

About Manna Jewellers

Manna Jewellers is a family jewellery business with over 40 years in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. The ruby ring collection includes engagement rings, gemstone rings, and diamond-and-ruby combinations in 9ct and 18ct gold. Every ring is hand-finished by the team in the workshop. A bespoke design service is available for anyone who wants a ruby ring made to a specific design, stone grade, or metal. Visit the showroom or book an appointment to view ruby stones in person.