July Birthstones

Unveil the magic of July birthstones, featuring the radiant ruby and mystical carnelian, as we delve into their rich symbolism and cultural significance. Natural rubies were found among weathered marble and ancient Buddhist temples in Myanmar's Mogok Valley. Explore the captivating world of birthstones for individuals born in July and their remarkable attributes.

Key Takeaways

• July Birthstones: The primary birthstone is Ruby, with Carnelian as an alternative.

• Ruby Meaning: Symbolizes love, passion, and courage, offering physical benefits like detoxification and heart health.

• Carnelian: Promotes vitality, courage, and creativity, providing a boost to physical stamina.

• Strengths and Weaknesses: Rubies are durable and captivating but can be sensitive to heat and inclusions.

View all our crystals

July Birthstone Meaning

July birthstones, both traditional and alternative, offer a range of health benefits, from detoxification and heart health to stamina improvement and inflammation reduction. These stones are a remarkable testament to the belief that nature offers us beauty and a path to improved well-being.

If you’re born in July, you’re bestowed with one of the most prestigious and esteemed precious stones as your birthstone - the Ruby. The traditional July birthstone ruby is among the four precious gems revered across cultures for its stunning deep red color and rarity. The name 'ruby' comes from the Latin word 'ruber', which means red.

The ruby birthstone, part of the mineral corundum family, shares its family tree with sapphires but is distinguished by its enchanting red color, brought to life by chromium.

Traditional July Birthstone

July’s birthstone, the ruby, with its fiery red color and robust hardness, is truly a gem to be treasured. Its mystical and physical properties make it an intriguing and desirable gemstone. The presence of the trace element chromium gives rubies their red coloring, and higher levels of chromium lead to stronger color expression and fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Not only does the ruby’s rich color captivate the eye, but it also offers physical and metaphysical benefits to those lucky July-born individuals.

Ruby Gemstones

Ruby is a precious gemstone known for its striking red color and exceptional hardness, symbolizing love, passion, and courage, making it a treasured and timeless choice for jewelry and royal adornments.

• Description: One of the hardest and most durable gems, second only to diamonds. Rubies rank at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them highly resistant to breakage and scratching. Color: a deep red with a hint of blue, also known as “pigeon’s blood.”

• Physical Benefits: Detoxifies the body, stimulates the heart, and improves circulation.

• Metaphysical Benefits: Energy, love, vitality, passionate creativity.

• Chakra: Root Chakra.

Alternative July Birthstones

While the ruby remains the traditional birthstone of July, alternative precious stones associated with July's birthdays also carry their unique allure and benefits.

Carnelian Birthstone

The carnelian birthstone is a translucent orange to reddish-brown gemstone with a smooth texture, believed to bestow courage, vitality, and creativity upon its wearer, making it a cherished gem with symbolic significance.

• Description: A translucent orange to reddish-brown variety of chalcedony.

• Color: Orange to reddish-brown shades.

• Physical Benefits: Improve vitality and stimulate creativity.

• Metaphysical Benefits: Enhances courage, and joy, and promotes positivity.

• Chakra: Sacral Chakra.

Onyx Birthstone

Onyx is a captivating black gemstone with smooth texture and occasional white banding, symbolizing strength, protection, and grounding energy, making it a popular choice for elegant jewelry and amulets.

• Description: A black gemstone with a smooth texture and occasional white banding.

• Color: Black.

• Physical Benefits: Promotes stamina, strength, and self-control.

• Metaphysical Benefits: A powerful protection, absorbing negative energy.

• Chakra: Root Chakra.

Jade Birthstone

Jade is a durable and alluring gemstone with a rich green color, symbolizing harmony, prosperity, and spiritual protection, making it a revered gemstone in ancient traditions and modern jewelry.

• Description: A lustrous gemstone known for its smooth texture and vivid green color.

• Color: Green, but it can also be found in lavender, yellow, and white.

• Physical Benefits: Purifies the body and encourages health and prosperity.

• Metaphysical Benefits: Promotes harmony, balance, and peace.

• Chakra: Heart Chakra.

Sapphire Birthstone

The sapphire birthstone is a durable and captivating blue gemstone from the corundum family, revered throughout history for its royal allure and association with wisdom and protection.

• Description: A durable and brilliant blue gemstone of the corundum mineral family, known for its hardness and excellent clarity.

• Color: Sapphires come in various colors, except red.

• Physical Benefits: Heals the body and reduces inflammation.

• Metaphysical Benefits: Symbolizes wisdom and royalty, attracts prosperity.

• Chakra: Throat Chakra.

In summary, each alternative precious stone has unique characteristics and benefits, offering a wealth of choices for those born in July to connect with a stone that truly resonates with them.

Health Benefits of July Birthstones

When it comes to birthstones, there’s more than just beauty to consider. Each stone carries unique health benefits that have been celebrated across cultures and throughout history. High-quality rubies are extremely rare and valuable due to their red hue, which is influenced by the presence of chromium.

Whether you’re born in July or simply fond of its stunning birthstones, their potential health benefits may intrigue you.

• Detoxification: Rubies were believed to detoxify the body and blood.

• Heart health: Rubies are thought to stimulate the heart, improving circulation.

• Vitality boost: Carnelian is known for improving vitality and promoting good health.

• Stamina and strength: Onyx is believed to boost stamina and promote self-control.

• Inflammation: Sapphires are thought to aid in healing the body and reducing inflammation.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the July Birthstones

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the July birthstone, the ruby, allows us to truly appreciate its charm and handle it with the care it deserves. Natural rubies may have inclusions or tiny internal flaws, which can affect their value.

Strengths

• Durability: The ruby's extreme hardness makes it resistant to scratches and ideal for everyday wear.

• Symbol of love: The deep red color of the ruby symbolizes passion and love, making it an ideal gift.

• Luster: Rubies have a vitreous luster when polished, making them incredibly captivating.

Weaknesses

• Heat sensitivity: Rubies may be subject to damage under extreme heat conditions and should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light.

• Inclusions: Many rubies have inclusions or tiny internal flaws. Although these give each ruby its unique character, they can also affect the gem's value.

The strengths of the ruby, such as its durability and attractive luster, make it a beloved gem. However, its sensitivity to heat and potential for inclusion are weaknesses that require mindful care.

July Birthstone Jewelry

Jewelry featuring the radiant July birthstone, ruby, is often considered the epitome of elegance. Here are some examples:

• Rings: Ruby rings, particularly engagement rings, symbolize eternal love. Seen as excellent gifts to your loved ones.

• Necklaces: A ruby necklace adorned with beautiful red gems can make a bold and timeless statement.

• Earrings: Ruby earrings can add a touch of class to any outfit.

• Bracelets: Ruby bracelets, whether in the form of a tennis bracelet or a charm bracelet, bring a hint of sophistication.

These red gems make perfect gifts for July birthdays. Ruby jewelry makes a stunning, timeless addition to any wardrobe, symbolizing love, courage, and beauty. Ruby jewelry also makes a perfect gift for July babies, symbolizing love, courage, and beauty. Best way to clean any ruby gemstones or jewelry would be using ultrasonic and steam cleaners and whip them off afterwards with a soft cloth.

How to Use July Birthstones in Your Daily Life

For those born in July, embracing your birthstone can be a delightful part of daily life. There are numerous ways to incorporate the July birthstone into daily life, from practicing mindfulness and meditation to fostering gratitude and resilience. These practices can help you feel more connected to your birthstone and the qualities it embodies.

• Mindfulness: Carry a small ruby gemstone in your pocket as a tactile reminder to stay present.

• Chakra meditation: Use a ruby during meditation to balance the Root Chakra.

• Journaling: Note any feelings or thoughts when interacting with your ruby.

• Gratitude: At the end of the day, hold your ruby and list things you're grateful for.

• Positivity: Wear ruby jewelry to help inspire positivity and courage.

• Resilience: Draw upon the strength of the ruby to help you face challenges.

History and Location of the July Birthstones

The history of the ruby, the July birthstone, is deeply entwined with humanity’s past. Revered as a symbol of wealth, power, and passion by ancient Hindus in ancient India and during medieval times, the ruby is steeped in myth and legend.

The ruby was considered so precious in the Middle Ages that only royal blood could possess it. It was often called the ‘king of precious’ in ancient India due to its rarity. Rubies were traded along the North Silk Road in China as early as 200 B.C.

Rubies have been produced in several locations around the world. They’re mostly found in countries like Myanmar (formerly Burma), famous for its ‘pigeon blood’ rubies with a deep, purplish-red color. Other countries that produce rubies include Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Vietnam, and Nepal. Rubies are also found in Mozambique, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

Frequently Asked Questions About the July Birthstones

What is the Lucky Stone for July?

The ruby is considered the lucky stone for those born in July. Its vibrant red color is said to bring good fortune and love.

What's the Most Expensive Ruby Ever Sold?

The most expensive ruby ever sold is the "Sunrise Ruby." This 25.59-carat Burmese ruby fetched a stunning $30.42 million at a Swiss auction in 2015.

Its vivid pigeon blood color and exceptional size make it one of the rarest gemstones, justifying its record-breaking price. Thank you for the correction.

What's the Largest Ruby Ever Found?

The largest ruby ever discovered is the "Liberty Bell Ruby," in East Africa in the 1950s.

Weighing in at an astounding 8,500 carats, or about 3.9 pounds, it's crafted into a mini sculpture of the Liberty Bell with 50 diamonds. It's the largest ruby and is considered the largest carved piece of a single ruby worldwide.

Is July's Birthstone connected to Tarot cards?

Yes, July's birthstones have connections to various Tarot cards due to their attributes and symbolism.

1. The Lovers: Ruby, symbolizing love and passion, aligns with The Lovers card, representing relationships, choices, and unity.

2. Strength: Carnelian, known for boosting courage and vitality, resonates with the Strength card, symbolizing inner strength, resilience, and bravery.

3. The Emperor: Ruby’s association with power and leadership connects with The Emperor card, representing authority, structure, and control.

4. The Magician: Carnelian’s ability to stimulate creativity and personal power aligns with The Magician card, symbolizing resourcefulness, skill, and manifestation.

References

Ruby - Wikipedia

Gemstone Healing: How to choose and use the right crystal and healing technique

Crystal Therapy

Crystal healing and gem therapy - "using energy vibrations to heal and harmonise" : complementary and alternative medicine | SA Pharmaceutical Journal

Health benefits of pendant from the viewpoint of Persian medicine

Crystal Power: 12 Essential Crystals for Health & Healing

Healing with quartz crystals: An exploratory study of nine crystal healers' beliefs and practices

Crystal Basics: The Energetic, Healing, and Spiritual Power of 200 Gemstones

Disclaimer

The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is always recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related changes or if you have any questions or concerns about your health.  Anahana is not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences that may occur from using the information provided.