July

July’s birthstone is ruby — the “king of gems”, that true red a symbol of love, passion and strength, and since antiquity a stone of protection. At hardness 9 it takes daily wear, one of the few coloured centre stones you can give without a misstep.

About the July Birthstone

Ruby is July’s modern and traditional birthstone, red corundum coloured by traces of chromium, Mohs hardness 9, the only red member of the corundum family. Within corundum, only the red is ruby; every other colour is sapphire. Its value turns above all on origin and treatment.

The Meaning of This Month

Ruby symbolises love, passion, strength and protection. Red is our most primal colour — blood, fire, heartbeat; ancient India honoured it as the “king of gems” and believed it guarded the wearer from harm. To give it to someone born in July is to wish “passion like fire, and love’s protection”.

History & Culture

The birthstone tradition traces to the twelve gems of the Breastplate of Aaron, matched to the months and zodiac, and standardised into the modern list by the American jewellers’ association in 1912. Ancient India called ruby ratnaraj (king of gems); the pigeon’s-blood reds of Mogok, Burma have been pursued by emperors and Mughal royalty for centuries. Ruby is also the stone of the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

The Lists

List	July birthstone
Modern (1912 · US)	Ruby
Traditional	Ruby
Zodiac	Cancer (to 7/22) · Leo (from 7/23)