One of the most popular and beloved birthstones is July’s birthstone, as known as the ruby. Very few stones are as eye catching and fascinating as a ruby. From its interesting history to stunning varieties, here is everything you should know about July’s birthstone: the ruby!
1 STONE FACTS
10.09-ct Cushion Cut Ruby by Katerina Perez
This striking stone is not only beautiful to look at, but also interesting to learn about. From its intense and bold color to its name origin, here are some facts you may not know about the ruby.
The bold red color we know and love in rubies comes from Chromium. However, this can cause the ruby to be more vulnerable to cracking, which is why it is rare to find a ruby larger than 3 carats.
When in sunlight, a ruby will start to glow. This is because the UV rays are interacting with the Chromium.
The word ruby originally came from the Greek word ‘rubens’, which means red.
Rubies can be mined all over the world. This includes Africa, Australia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), and the United States.
While rubies are most known for being July’s birthstone, they are also viewed as a 15th or 40th wedding anniversary stone.
2 STONE VARIETY
Like all stones, rubies can come in different varieties. From different colors to different cuts, here are some of the most popular varieties of ruby.
Pigeon’s Blood Ruby – This stone has an intense red color, even its name referring to its color looking like fresh pigeon blood. Thanks to its color, this stone is very sought after.
Star Ruby – This rare ruby has a stunning star-like visual effect that could impress anyone. This ruby is even considered one of the most valuable colored gemstone in the world.
Burmese Ruby – Known for its high quality, these rubies rarely few blemishes and have a vivid red color. These stones can be worth millions of dollars.
Tanzania Ruby – This ruby is a rare gemstone that can be founded near the Tanzania town of Songea. More rare than diamonds, this stone has an intense raspberry red color with a medium tone.
3 STONE DURABILITY
When it comes to durability, rubies are known for being a resilient gemstone. On the Friedrich Mohs scale of mineral hardness, these stones has a rating of 9 out of 10.
This shows that a ruby is perfect for daily use, as it is not vulnerable to scratches or abrasions. So, if you accidentally drop your stone a few times, it will likely survive without any (or few) blemishes.
4 STONE CARE
Despite its durability, it is still important that you take care of your ruby. You should clean your ruby once a week with mild, unscented soap and a lint-free dry cloth. To increase its longevity, you should also have it professionally cleaned at least once a year. A professional will also be able to clean your ring and fix any loose settings.