The birthstone for July is the Ruby.

Ruby and sapphires are varieties of the mineral corundum, one of the hardest minerals on Earth; second only to diamond. Only red corundum consisting of aluminium oxide and chrome as well as very fine traces of other elements is entitled to be called ruby, all other colours are classified as sapphires.

Rubies of more than three carats in size are very rare and consequently fetch more than diamonds of a comparable size at auction. 

Today’s rubies tend to come from Burma (now Myanmar) and neighbouring Vietnam.  Other ruby deposits are located in Northern Pakistan, Kashmir, Tadzhikistan, Laos, Nepal, and Afghanistan. Rubies are also produced in India - which has always had a love affair with this red stone. More recently, people have referred to East Africa as a source of rubies; although the quality is average. 

Colour is more important than clarity with rubies. It’s all about the red and inclusions do not impair on the quality or the value. The name even comes from ‘ruber’ - the Latin for red... it is all about the red. 

As well as the birthstone for July, the ruby is also the gemstone signifying a 40th anniversary. 

Published by Gaynor E. on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 in Jewellery News. Comments: 0

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