If you're born in July, your birthstone is ruby.

Let's talk about its unique, rich color first: a rich, deep red, almost like fire in the middle of a flicker. Not orange-red, nor brick-like, but that very distinctive "ruby red" that's hard to mimic.

Historically, the ruby has been linked to passion, protection and prosperity, the very attributes that warriors once wagered their lives on, long before "birthstone" was something a jeweler put on a chart. In ancient Sanskrit it was known as ratnaraj, king of gems. Not a modest title. And for two millennia, ruby has been trying to live up to it.

That's likely why ruby birthstone jewelry remains so popular for gifting in July. It brings together a birth-month connection, a color that's hard not to love, and a gemstone durable enough for everyday wear. The result is a piece that feels deeply personal from the day it's given and only becomes more meaningful over time.

What is the July birthstone?

The birthstone for July is ruby. In some months, the vote is divided between two (sometimes three) stones, but this one is all July ever wanted.

And the concept of birthstones is not as new as many people think; it dates back to a first-century account by the historian Josephus, who connected twelve gemstones to the twelve tribes of Israel, and then to the twelve months and the zodiac. The modern list, which is still used by most jewelers today, was adopted in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers. Ruby's connection to July was not new at that time.

The name is derived from the Latin word rubeus, which means red. There's not much of a mystery in that. The more interesting fact is that ruby and sapphire are, mineralogically, the same stone: corundum. Chromium gives it a red hue and makes it a ruby. Almost anything else turns it blue, or pink, or yellow, and it gets filed under sapphire instead.

It also belongs to a short, specific list: one of four gemstones traditionally called "precious", alongside diamond, sapphire, and emerald.

Ruby birthstone meaning & symbolism

Ruby's symbolism holds up strangely well across cultures that never met each other. Passion. Courage. Protection. A kind of love meant to outlast the moment it started in.

The protection belief has the best story attached to it. Warriors in ancient Burma reportedly embedded rubies under their own skin before battle, convinced the stone would make them invincible. It did not, obviously. But the fact that people believed it enough to try tells you how seriously ruby's power was taken. In Sanskrit tradition, offering a fine ruby to Krishna was said to guarantee rebirth as an emperor.

Modern interpretations have softened, the way this kind of thing tends to. You'll see ruby described today as a stone of confidence or vitality, depending which corner of the internet you land on.

What color is the July birthstone?

Ruby's color is red. But the range is actually from a lighter pinkish-red (which, when it becomes too light, is reclassified as pink sapphire) all the way to a deep, near-black red in the most saturated stones.

The most coveted shade is actually named "pigeon's blood" red. Mostly a pure, bright red, with a hint of blue underneath, most commonly associated with rubies from the Mogok Valley in Myanmar. The origin of that name is debated a lot: some say it refers to the blood of a freshly killed pigeon before it oxidizes; others believe that's a myth wrapped in etymology. No one has really resolved it.

In most rubies, color is the most important factor in determining value, rather than size. A smaller stone with even, intense color will typically sell for more than a larger stone that looks pale or brownish, and it should.

Unlike diamond, clarity is not the same here. Inclusions, known as "silk" by ruby gemologists, are almost always visible in ruby and a completely eye-clean ruby is rare enough to warrant a small red flag. It's normal to have a little internal character. Expected, even.

There's one more thing to know about rubies: what they're not. Garnet may appear similar at first sight, but it lacks ruby's fluorescence, and it costs far less. Red spinel is the trickier lookalike, since for centuries the two were treated as the same stone by people who should have known better. The "Black Prince's Ruby," which is in the center of the British Imperial State Crown, is actually a 170-carat red spinel. Not a ruby at all. It wasn't until the 1800s that gemology could reliably distinguish the two, and for about five hundred years, kings wore the wrong stone with complete confidence.

The history of ruby

Its history runs through nearly every ancient civilization that took gemstones seriously at all, and that was most of them.

In ancient India, rubies were associated with the sun, which was thought to have an internal fire that never extinguished. Burmese warriors, as mentioned, embedded rubies under their skin for protection in battle. Chinese nobility buried them beneath building foundations for good fortune and set them into ceremonial armor for their generals. Red meant blood. Blood meant life. And the logic repeats across cultures that had no way of comparing notes.

That connection with divine and royal power continued into medieval Europe. Ruby was always found in crown jewels and ceremonial garments, and was worn by monarchs who wished to project their power. That 170-carat spinel from a few paragraphs ago, the Black Prince's Ruby, is said to have been in Henry V's helmet at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. It's still in the Imperial State Crown today, still doing a job it was never actually qualified for.

Ruby birthstone facts

Here are a couple of things to know before purchasing one:

• Mineral family: Corundum (also known as sapphire)
• Mohs hardness: 9/10, second only to diamond
• Clarity: Inclusions ("silk") are visible and normal
• Color range: Pinkish-red to deep, near-black red ("pigeon's blood" at the top)
• Myanmar, Mozambique, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar are the main sources.

The overwhelming majority of rubies on the market, including most fine ones, are heat-treated to improve color and clarity. It's been standard practice for decades. Lab-created rubies exist too: chemically identical to natural stones, grown in a controlled setting instead of mined out of a mountain. They're a legitimate, less expensive option, just a distinctly different product from a natural stone.

Another interesting fact: A 25.59-carat Burmese ruby, known as the Sunrise Ruby, sold at Sotheby's Geneva for just over $30 million, or about $1.2 million per carat, in 2015. It held the record for the most expensive ruby ever sold at auction until 2023, when the Estrela de Fura ruby sold for $34.8 million.

July birthstone jewelry ideas

July birthdays get an easy gift brief: ruby, in almost any form, tends to work.

For everyday wear, a birthstone charm necklace keeps the stone close without asking much in return. It's the kind of piece that gets worn daily instead of saved for occasions, as are our birthstone studs.

Our Starry Ruby Ring sets a ruby in 14K gold along our signature Starry setting (a stack favorite). Meanwhile, our Ruby Star Eternity Band pairs star-set rubies with white diamonds in rose gold (the kind of piece that has serious meaning behind it).

For a fuller statement, our Wrapped in Rubies Tennis Bracelet lines up rows of natural rubies in 14K gold.

Every ruby we use is conflict-free, hand-selected for color and clarity, and set by jewelers who make each piece to order, usually within six to eight weeks. Good things take time, especially with a stone this particular about how it's cut.

Browse the full July birthstone collection for a gift that easily turns into an heirloom; rather than something that ends up in a drawer.

How to care for ruby jewelry

As gemstones go, ruby is one of the more forgiving to live with day to day.

Clean it with warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft-bristled brush, working gently around the setting, then rinse and dry with a polishing cloth. It doesn't take long.

A few things to actually avoid: chlorine, hot tubs, and long stretches of direct sun can dull a setting's shine over time, even though the ruby itself can handle daily bumps without much complaint. Store it apart from softer stones so nothing gets scratched sitting in a drawer together.

Ultrasonic cleaners are the one point worth being stubborn about. Most rubies can survive one; the stone's tough enough that it usually does. But "usually" isn't "always", especially on a stone with more visible silk than average, and that's not a gamble worth taking on a piece you actually wear and love. A soft brush has never once damaged anything.

For the full breakdown by stone type, our jewelry care guide covers cleaning and storage for every gem we work with.

July birthstone frequently asked questions

What is the July birthstone?

Ruby. It's been July's gemstone on every major list since the modern chart was standardized in 1912, and its connection to the month existed well before that date made it official.

What does ruby symbolize?

Passion, courage, protection, and vitality, across nearly every culture that's worked with the stone. It's also historically tied to a love meant to last, which is a big part of why it shows up so often in anniversary jewelry.

What color is the July birthstone?

A deep, saturated red, ranging from pinkish-red to a nearly black-red in heavily saturated stones. The most prized shade, pigeon's blood red, is a pure red with a whisper of blue underneath.

What is the spiritual meaning of ruby?

Historically, protection and vitality. Warriors once believed it made them invincible in battle, and Sanskrit tradition called it ratnaraj, king of precious stones. Modern interpretations lean toward confidence and vitality, though that's a newer, softer read on a much older idea.

Can ruby be worn every day?

Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby is one of the most durable gemstones available, second only to diamond. It holds up well to daily wear, though it's still worth keeping away from sharp, direct impact.

Where is ruby found?

Primarily Myanmar, Mozambique, and Thailand, with meaningful deposits in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Myanmar's Mogok Valley has historically produced the finest examples.

What makes ruby so valuable?

Color saturation above almost anything else. A well-saturated, evenly colored ruby with few visible inclusions can be worth significantly more per carat than a larger, paler stone. Rarity plays a role too: fine, untreated ruby in large sizes is simply scarce.

What zodiac signs are associated with ruby?

Leo, most commonly, since July falls mostly