July Birthstone
Ruby
The most valuable jewel, the ruby, stands for achievement, love, and passion. purchasing a ruby, the birthstone for July? To choose the best one for you or a loved one, learn about its history, origins, care, and cleaning procedures, as well as where to find them.
One of the most sought-after stones is the ruby, which is the birthstone for July. The Latin word ruber, which means “red” and is the colour of love and passion, is the source of the name. The ruby birthstone is one of the few things that stands out. The July birthstone is most known for its rich red colour with a tinge of purple, which is known as “pigeon’s blood” in the trade. The colour of ruby, a type of the mineral corundum, is caused by minute levels of chromium. The red is stronger the more chromium there is. Here is the information you need to choose a gorgeous July birthstone for yourself or a loved one who was born in the month of July.
Ruby Meaning & History
Ruby was referred to as the “king of precious stones” in ancient India because of its scarcity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty, and what appeared to be supernatural qualities. Ruby has a long history of being connected to the life force and was a powerful and vivacious gemstone used in Indian jewellery. In earlier centuries, some people thought the birthstone for July could foretell bad luck or danger, while others thought it could treat inflammatory illnesses and calm wrath. Burmese warriors thought they were invulnerable in battle because of it. Europeans in the middle ages believed that rubies brought prosperity, success in love, health, and intelligence.
Ruby Source
One of the earliest known sources of beautiful rubies is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), where our search for the birthstone for July begins. The Mogok region of Myanmar has produced some of the most prized rubies for more than five centuries; these brilliant red beauties are softened by light-scattering inclusions and a glowing red brilliance. Ancient Buddhist temples and aged marble can be seen there.
Vietnam has been a significant supplier of the July birthstone since the late 20th century. Rubies with a red to purplish red hue are produced in the northern Vietnamese area of Luc Yen, where mountains covered in rainforest tower over wide paddy fields. The Quy Chau district, further south, has also produced numerous beautiful rubies. Currently, artisanal miners scour the earth in search of a gem that will turn their lives around.
A significant new source for the July birthstone is Mozambique. The productive mines at Montepuez are located in this African country. There are rubies that have been compared to the famous Mogok stones.
The main supply of rubies on the market for many years in the late 1900s was the ruby deposits along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar are additional significant producers of the July birthstone.
Ruby Care & Cleaning
Rubies are frequently heated in order to remove the purple colouring and leave a more pure red. Additionally, “silk” (minuscule needle-like inclusions) that can make a gem appear lighter in tone and more opaque can be removed during the procedure. Heat treatment is commonly accepted in the trade since it is resistant to routine wear and care. However, lattice diffusion treatment and colouring of rubies are also possible. Surface-reaching fractures and cavities in inferior material may be covered with a glass to obscure their visibility and make the gem appear more translucent. Some of these processes could render the ruby more prone to harm from regular wear and maintenance.
Always find out if your ruby has been treated and how before you buy. The disclosure of treatments that alter a gemstone’s perceived value is mandated by the Federal Trade Commission. A GIA Identification Report is crucial for determining if a stone is natural or artificial and whether it has undergone any kind of treatment.
The birthstone for July may typically be safely cleaned using warm, soapy water and a soft brush. For untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion-treated stones, ultrasonic and steam cleaners are often safe. Stones that are coloured or filled with glass should only be cleaned with a moist cloth.