July Birthstone - Ruby

The Royal Ruby, birthstone for July.

Rubies, gemstones that are highly prized. Often called the king of gems this red variety of the mineral corundum, as well as being the birthstone for July the ruby is used to celebrate the 15th and most known for the 40th wedding anniversary.

These beautiful stones with red colours ranging from pinkish to purple hues are very popular in many jewellery collections. In fact large good quality Rubies can be more valuable than diamonds.

Discovered in Sri Lanka, over 2500 years ago, many of the most famous ruby gemstones have come from this area, together with Burma.

But today there are many locations that these fabulous gemstones are found including America Tanzania Kenya and Pakistan.

Royalty and the famous

One of the finest contemporary examples of these equisite stones is the late Queen Elizabeth II Burmese Ruby tiara. Created from a gift of 96 rubies that were given by the Nizam of Hyderbad. Queen Elizabeth comissioned a piece to be made by the royal jeweller Garrad in 1973. 

Richard Burton spent many years searching for the most perfect gemstones for a piece of jewellery for Elizabeth Taylor. His search ended with a ruby from Van Cleef & Arpels. At Christmas in 1968 Elizabeth Burton was presented with a ring created from a 8.24 carat Burmese pigeon blood ruby of fabulous quality, surrounded by diamonds.

Why Rubies ?

Nearly has hard as diamonds, rubies are a great choice for a creating jewellery that sparkles whilst radiating warmth and charm with its deep red colours.

Associated with passion love and romance its a lucky person that has the Ruby as their birthstone. Said to bring good luck and protection to those born in this month, its hot and fiery red colour is the perfect compliment for those lively animated individuals.

What a wonderful gift a necklace, pendant ring or earrings featuring a ruby maybe surrounded by diamonds for that special birthday. Or of course to celabrate that huge and fabulous milestone the fortieth wedding anniversary.

Take a look at the Sarah Beth collection of Ruby jewellery for the perfect gift to cherish.