Few gemstones evoke as much emotion, history, and visual impact as Ruby: July’s Fiery Birthstone. Its intense red hue isn’t just captivating—it’s steeped in meaning. From ancient legends to modern custom jewelry, rubies remain one of the most powerful symbols of love, strength, and individuality.
In this guide, we’ll uncover everything that makes ruby a gemstone worth knowing—from its origins and value to its symbolism, styling potential, and timeless appeal.
A Stone That Burns Bright With Meaning
Ruby isn’t just the birthstone for July—it’s one of the most iconic and coveted gemstones in the world. Known for its rich red hue, symbolic power, and enduring value, the ruby has captivated civilizations for centuries.
Whether you’re considering a ruby piece for its fiery charm, timeless elegance, or personal meaning, you’re choosing a gemstone celebrated for both its beauty and lasting significance.
Where Do Rubies Come From?
Rubies form under intense heat and pressure, making their creation as dramatic as their appearance. These precious stones are a variety of the mineral corundum—the same family as sapphires—but what sets them apart is their red color, caused by trace amounts of chromium.
Primary sources of rubies include:
- Myanmar (Burma): Known for producing the legendary “pigeon blood” rubies—prized for their deep, vivid red and excellent fluorescence.
- Thailand and Cambodia: Major sources of commercial-grade rubies.
- Mozambique and Madagascar: Emerging leaders offering high-quality rubies in vibrant tones.
- Sri Lanka and Vietnam: Known for their lighter, often pinkish rubies.
Each region contributes a unique character to the ruby’s appearance, with variations in tone, saturation, and inclusions.
Ruby Lore and Symbolism
A Gemstone Steeped in Fire and Meaning
Rubies have adorned the crowns of monarchs and the armor of warriors—not just for their beauty, but for their symbolic strength:
- Love & Vitality: Rubies are said to ignite the heart and represent enduring passion.
- Protection: Ancient cultures believed rubies could shield warriors in battle and bring prosperity.
- Royalty & Prestige: Long seen as the “king of gems,” rubies adorned the crowns of rulers and emperors.
- July Birthstone Meaning: For those born in July, ruby symbolizes strength, ambition, and loyalty.
- Anniversary Symbolism: A traditional gift for 15th and 40th anniversaries, marking milestones with brilliance.
Styling Tips: How to Wear Ruby Jewelry
Make a Bold Yet Elegant Statement
Rubies are as versatile as they are striking. Whether worn in everyday jewelry or reserved for special occasions, they bring a sophisticated edge to any look.
Here’s how to style rubies with confidence
Choose the Right Metal
Rubies pair beautifully with various metals and gemstones, making them easy to incorporate into both classic and contemporary looks.
Metal Pairings:
- Yellow Gold: Accentuates ruby’s warmth and vintage feel
- White Gold / Platinum: Offers a clean, elegant contrast
- Rose Gold: Adds a romantic and modern twist
Make Rubies the Focal Point
A ruby solitaire ring, pendant, or drop earring makes a luxurious statement.
Pair With Other Gems
Rubies look stunning next to diamonds, pink sapphires, and even pearls. Use contrast wisely to highlight ruby’s intensity.
Incorporate Into Custom Designs
Ruby accents add personal meaning and bold color to engagement rings, stackable bands, and even men’s accessories.
Timeless Ruby (July’s Fiery Birthstone) Jewelry
At Victoria Marie Jewelers, we offer a curated and custom-designed collection of ruby jewelry including:
- Cushion-cut ruby pendants – Elegant, timeless, and everyday-friendly
- Ruby eternity bands – Ideal for stacking or anniversaries
- Men’s ruby signet rings – Understated, bold, and rich in symbolism
- Ruby tennis bracelets – A luxurious gift for milestone moments
- Vintage-inspired ruby earrings – Romantic with a nod to heirloom craftsmanship
Great For
- Birthstone gifts
- Anniversary celebrations
- Custom engagement rings
- Holiday and milestone presents
What Affects Ruby Value: A Close Look
From their mesmerizing hue to their weight and craftsmanship, several key factors determine just how valuable a ruby truly is. Understanding these nuances can help you make a more informed choice—whether you’re buying your first ruby piece or selecting a custom gem for a bespoke design.
Color: The Most Important Factor
Color is the single most influential element in determining a ruby’s value. The finest rubies exhibit a rich, vivid red—often described as “pigeon blood” red. This shade is intense yet pure, with just a hint of blue that deepens the saturation.
- Highly saturated reds with uniform tone command the highest prices.
- Too much purple or brown can diminish the stone’s appeal and lower its value.
Pinkish-red rubies may be reclassified as pink sapphires depending on their intensity, which affects both marketability and price.
Color is judged by hue (the base color), tone (lightness or darkness), and saturation (vividness). A well-balanced combination of all three creates the visual fire rubies are known for.
Clarity: Nature’s Signature
Rubies often contain inclusions—tiny internal characteristics formed during the gem’s creation. Unlike diamonds, which are expected to be near flawless, some inclusions in rubies are not only accepted but expected.
- Eye-clean rubies (no visible inclusions to the naked eye) are extremely rare and therefore much more valuable.
- Silk-like inclusions—fine rutile needles—can actually improve the stone’s appearance by diffusing light and adding softness to the color.
- Too many dark inclusions, especially if they cloud the stone or break the surface, lower the ruby’s transparency and overall worth.
Professional grading labs take both visibility and placement of inclusions into account when assigning value.
Cut: Unlocking the Ruby’s Fire
The cut of a ruby is not just about shape—it’s about how well the gem has been faceted to enhance brilliance, symmetry, and light performance.
- A well-cut ruby reflects light evenly and showcases the gem’s natural depth of color.
- Poorly cut rubies can appear too dark (windowed) or lifeless, even if the color is excellent.
Common shapes include oval, cushion, and round, with emerald and pear cuts used for more stylized designs. Because rubies are often cut to maximize color and retain weight (rather than ideal symmetry), custom jewelers like Victoria Marie Jewelers can help select or re-cut a stone to bring out its full potential.
Carat Weight: Rarity Multiplies with Size
Unlike diamonds, ruby prices don’t increase linearly with weight—they leap. Large rubies are exceptionally rare, especially those over one carat with rich color and high clarity.
- A 1-carat ruby of excellent quality is already considered investment-grade.
- A 3-carat ruby with strong color and minimal inclusions can be worth exponentially more per carat.
Because high-quality rubies are scarce in larger sizes, even a modest increase in weight can dramatically shift the price. This makes ruby selection a delicate balance between size, color, and clarity.
Common Questions About Ruby Jewelry
What do people ask when shopping for rubies?:
Are rubies more expensive than diamonds?
Top-quality rubies can exceed diamond prices per carat, especially in sizes over 1 carat with vivid color and clarity.
Are rubies suitable for everyday wear?
Yes. Rubies rank 9 on the Mohs scale, making them durable enough for daily use—second only to diamonds.
Can I design a custom ruby ring?
Absolutely. At Victoria Marie Jewelers, we specialize in bespoke jewelry, including ruby-centered engagement rings, stackable bands, and personalized gifts.
How does ruby compare to other red gemstones?
Ruby is the most valuable red gemstone, known for its rich color, durability, and rarity. While garnet and spinel may look similar, they are generally softer, more common, and less valuable than ruby.
How do rubies and sapphires compare?
Both rubies and sapphires are varieties of corundum, but ruby is defined by its red color, while sapphires come in a range of hues, most commonly blue. Rubies are rarer and often more expensive in larger sizes, while sapphires offer more color options and the same durability.
Discover Ruby: July’s Fiery Birthstone Jewelry at Victoria Marie Jewelers
From fiery red center stones to delicate accents in stackable rings or pendants, ruby jewelry is full of personality, history, and purpose. It’s more than a gem—it’s an heirloom in the making.
At Victoria Marie Jewelers, we offer:
- Custom ruby engagement rings and anniversary gifts
- Natural and lab-created ruby options
- Jewelry repair, appraisal, and cleaning services
- Personalized appointments with expert gemologists
- Permanent jewelry and bespoke designs tailored to your lifestyle
Visit us:
18595 Mainstreet, Suite 130
Parker, CO 80134
(303) 841-7353
Theresa@vmjewelers.com