16 Facts About July's Birthstone: Ruby - House Of Jewellery Blog

There’s no doubt that July’s birthstone, the ruby, is one of the most famous gemstones in the world. It’s been featured in some of the most famous pieces of jewellery and has been sold for well over two million dollars. Time and time again, people flock to the beauty of this elegant stone.

1. It’s All in the Name

Ruby comes from the word “ruber”, which is Latin for red. During the years the word has been seen as “rubi,” “rubinus,” and “rubeous” until finally becoming “ruby.”

2. Colour Source

As mentioned before, red corundum means the stone is a ruby. That red colour comes from chromium, whereas sapphires usually have titanium or iron.

3. One of the Cardinal Gems

Rubies, along with sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, and diamonds, are all cardinal gems. This means that traditionally, they were considered to be the most valuable gemstones compared to all others. The classification is related to gemstones that were used in important cultural and religious ceremonies and rituals. However, since the discovery of so many more gems, the term has fallen out of use.

4. Some Rubies aren’t Really Rubies

In the past, several stones have been misidentified as rubies because of their similarities. These stones are called spinels, and are made of magnesium and aluminum. They used to be called “Balas rubies” before they were classified as their own stone. It’s something to think about if you’re looking for something containing July’s birthstone since the error can still occur.

5. A Globally Sourced Stone

Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar are famous for their rubies, however, it’s been discovered that rubies can be found in Nepal, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

6. Even in America

Rubies have even been found in states like Montana and Wyoming.

7. Enhanced Rubies

Almost all – if not every – ruby on the market has been colour treated. Sometimes rubies don’t have the colour saturation that the market demands, so adding substances like copper and calcium really bring out the reds and pinks.

8. The Most Valuable Rubies

Naturally, the deeper the colour, the more valuable the ruby is. However, the most valuable rubies are deep red with hints of blue. This is called a “pigeon’s blood” ruby.

9. The Imperfect Stone

It’s a well-known fact among jewellers that all rubies possess imperfections. The best way to catch imitations or synthetic rubies is if they don’t have any flaws.

10. They Can Get Pricey

Rubies that weight 10 carats can be more expensive than a diamond of the same weight. Keep that in mind when you’re looking to expand your jewellery or stone collection.

11. Really Pricey

One of the most expensive rubies is the Sunrise Ruby. It was found in Myanmar and named after a poem by Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet. It was a pigeon’s blood ruby weighing 25.59 carats, and set on a ring alongside two diamonds by Cartier. The Sunrise Ruby was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for over $30 million US.

It just goes to show how valuable July’s birthstone is.

12. Spotting Non-Rubies Today

The British Imperial State Crown is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world. It’s been in the Royal Family’s possession since the 15th century, but the current version of the crown has only been around since 1937. The gorgeous crown is home to the Black Prince’s Ruby – which actually isn’t a ruby. In 1783 it was discovered that the ruby is actually a spinel.

Despite this, the spinel is still considered valuable because it’s the largest one to have not undergone a proper cutting or polishing.

13. Elizabeth Taylor’s Famous Rubies

You can’t talk about gemstones without mentioning Elizabeth Taylor. The celebrity had a jewellery collection worthy of making even the most wealthy people green with envy. When her jewellery went up for auction in 2011, her ruby pieces included an 8.24-carat ring that sold for $4.2 million, breaking a record or two, and a necklace that sold for over $3.7 million.

14. The Liberty Bell Ruby

Noted as one of the largest rubies in the world, the Liberty Bell Ruby was a mini sculpture of the famous Liberty Bell. It was adorned with about fifty diamonds, bringing the price of the gem to about two million dollars.
While the ruby itself was found in the 1950s, it wasn’t shaped and sculpted until 1976 when Kazanjian Brothers, an American jewellery company, hired Alfonso de Vivanco to craft it for the U.S. Bicentennial.

In 2011 the gem was being held in a jewellery store in Delaware when the shop was the target of a jewellery heist and the Liberty Bell was stolen. Despite the suspects were arrested in 2014, the mini ruby sculpture still hasn’t been recovered.

15. Rubies Have Many Meanings

Just like any other gemstone, the ruby has been given more meaning and symbolism than just July’s birthstone. It’s associated with vibrancy in life, protection, love, and passion. This makes it an ideal gift for loved ones.