The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum, colored by trace amounts of chromium. Ruby ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, so it suits rings and bracelets worn every day. The finest color is a deep red with a hint of purple, called pigeon's blood.
Ruby symbolizes passion, power and vitality, and it has been called the king of precious stones. Compare every month in the birthstone chart by month.
What Is the July Birthstone?
Ruby is the only July birthstone on the modern US list, and it has held that place since the first list in 1912. Britain's list adds carnelian as a second July stone, which is why some charts show two.
| Quick fact | July birthstone: ruby |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Corundum (aluminum oxide) |
| Mohs hardness | 9 |
| Color cause | Trace chromium; more chromium means a stronger red |
| Prized color | Pigeon's blood: deep red with a hint of purple |
| Traditional meaning | Passion, power, youthful energy, protection |
| Notable sources | Myanmar (Mogok), Vietnam, Mozambique (Montepuez), Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar |
| Anniversaries | 15th and 40th |
| Zodiac signs in July | Cancer and Leo |
The facts above come from the GIA July birthstone guide and the GIA ruby gem encyclopedia.
Ruby Color and Pigeon's Blood
The July birthstone color is red, from pinkish red to deep crimson. GIA explains that ruby's red comes from chromium, and that more chromium produces a stronger red.
Ruby is the red variety of corundum, and GIA names a deep red with a hint of purple, called pigeon's blood, as the finest July birthstone color. Corundum in other colors is sold as sapphire, so ruby and sapphire share the same Mohs hardness of 9 and differ mainly in the trace elements that color them (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Mogok in Myanmar has supplied sought after rubies for about five centuries, according to GIA. Vietnam's Luc Yen district yields red to purplish red stones, and Mozambique's Montepuez area is now an important source.
Ruby Meaning and History
Ruby has been linked with life force and blood for thousands of years. In ancient India it was called the king of precious stones, and it stood for power and youthful energy, GIA notes.
Burmese warriors believed ruby made them invincible in battle. In medieval Europe, ruby was thought to bring health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Some believed a ruby could even warn its owner of coming misfortune.
Fine rubies are among the most valuable colored gemstones in the world. GIA reports that a 25.59 carat ruby ring sold at auction on May 12, 2015 for $1,266,901 per carat, setting a new auction record for a colored gemstone at the time and showing how scarce large, fine rubies are (GIA, Ruby).
Ruby has been July's stone since the 1912 list from the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, as the International Gem Society notes. Unlike March or December, July has never gained a second US stone.
Natural, Treated and Lab-Created Ruby
Most rubies on the market are heat treated, and GIA considers heat treatment stable. Heat removes purplish tints and the fine needle inclusions called silk.
Other treatments need more caution. Glass filling hides surface fractures in lower quality material, and dyeing or diffusion can add color. GIA warns that these treatments can make a stone more vulnerable, so always ask the seller to disclose them in writing.
Lab-created ruby is real corundum grown in a laboratory, with the same chemistry and hardness as mined ruby. The flame fusion method developed by Auguste Verneuil in the early 1900s made synthetic corundum widely available, as the Britannica entry on the Verneuil process explains. Lab-created ruby usually costs far less than a natural stone of similar color.
July Birthstone Alternatives Compared
Ruby is the strongest everyday choice for July, but alternatives fit specific budgets and looks. The table compares the stones shoppers most often consider.
| Stone | Mohs hardness | Color range | Relative price tier | Everyday wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural ruby | 9 | Pinkish red to deep purplish red | Highest | Excellent, including rings |
| Lab-created ruby | 9 | Same reds as natural | Low to moderate | Excellent, including rings |
| Red spinel | 8 | Red, pink and many other colors | Moderate to high | Very good |
| Carnelian | 6.5 to 7 | Orange red to brownish red, translucent | Low | Good for pendants and earrings |
Spinel ranks 8 with good toughness, per GIA spinel care guidance. Carnelian is a chalcedony colored by iron oxide, and Romans used it for signet rings because hot wax does not stick to it, according to the Wikipedia carnelian entry. The British list names carnelian for July, and older traditional lists name onyx and turquoise, per the Wikipedia birthstone page.
How to Care for Ruby Jewelry
Clean ruby with warm soapy water and a soft brush. GIA says ultrasonic and steam cleaners are safe for untreated and heat treated rubies.
- Clean glass filled or dyed rubies only with a damp cloth.
- Keep treated rubies away from jewelry cleaning chemicals and high heat.
- Store ruby apart from softer gems, because a Mohs 9 stone can scratch them.
- Care for the setting too. For plated metals, follow the gold plated jewelry care guide.
How to Wear and Gift a July Birthstone
A July birthstone necklace puts a pop of red near the face, and it layers well with fine chains. The necklace layering guide shows how to build a stack around one colored pendant.
Start with birthstone styles such as the Kali Birthstone Necklace, Noa Birthstone Necklace, Faye Birthstone Necklace and Celeste Birthstone Necklace. Check each product page for the stone used for July and current availability.
Red is a strong accent, so let one ruby piece lead and keep the rest of the look simple, with plain chains or thin bands around it. Ruby is also the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries, according to GIA, so a ruby piece can mark a milestone as well as a July birthday. If she wears both gold and silver, the guide to mixing gold and silver jewelry helps a red stone work with either metal.
For a dainty touch of color on the wrist, the Gem Bar Bracelet pairs a small colored stone with a fine chain. Browse gemstone rings for July rings, and remember that July birthdays fall under Cancer and Leo, so the zodiac collection makes a thoughtful pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the July Birthstone
What are the two birthstones for July?
The US list names only one July birthstone: ruby, assigned in 1912 and never changed. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths adds carnelian, an orange red chalcedony, as a second July stone, and older traditional lists name onyx and turquoise. The difference matters for wear: ruby ranks 9 on the Mohs scale, while carnelian ranks 6.5 to 7. Choose ruby for everyday rings and carnelian for pendants or earrings.
Is July's birthstone rare?
Yes, fine ruby is rare. Large rubies with strong, even pigeon's blood color are scarce, which is why GIA reports a 25.59 carat ruby selling for $1,266,901 per carat at auction in 2015. Smaller and heat treated rubies are far more available, and lab-created ruby offers the same Mohs 9 hardness at a lower price. Rarity drives price, but every ruby shares the same durable corundum structure.
Who cannot wear ruby?
Gemologically, anyone can wear ruby. Ruby ranks 9 on the Mohs scale and is suitable for daily wear, according to GIA. Restrictions you may read online come from astrology traditions, such as Vedic astrology, which assign stones to signs and planets; these are beliefs rather than gemological rules. The practical limits are physical: glass filled or dyed rubies need gentle cleaning and should avoid heat and chemicals.
What 2 months have three birthstones?
June and December each have three birthstones on the modern US list. June has pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, and December has turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. August also lists three stones on some charts: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. July, by contrast, has one US stone, ruby, which has stayed unchanged since the first 1912 list. See every month in the birthstone chart by month.
Is a lab-created ruby a real ruby?
Yes. A lab-created ruby is real corundum with the same chemical composition and the same Mohs hardness of 9 as a mined ruby. The difference is origin: lab stones are grown under controlled conditions, a process that became common after the flame fusion method of the early 1900s. Lab-created rubies usually cost less, so always ask whether a ruby is natural or lab grown, and whether it was treated.
Find a July piece to celebrate the month in the EVRY gemstone necklaces collection.
