July's Birthstone: Five Things You May Not Know About Ruby

Ruby doesn't know the definition of the word subtle. It's bold, unapologetically red, and has spent centuries earning titles like the "King of Gems."

While it's one of the most recognizable colored gemstones in the world, there are still a few things about the July birthstone that surprise most people: 

1. Ruby Is Actually a Sapphire... Sort Of.

Ruby and sapphire are both varieties of the same mineral: corundum.

The only difference is color. If corundum is red, it's classified as a ruby. Every other color (from blue to yellow, pink, and even colorless) is considered sapphire.

The vibrant red comes from trace amounts of chromium, which also gives ruby another remarkable characteristic...

2. Rubies Glow.

Thanks to that chromium, many rubies fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

Some even appear to glow from within in natural daylight, giving high-quality stones a vivid and electric appearance.

3. Fine Rubies Are Rarer Than Diamonds.

Loupe-clean and inclusion-free rubies are among the rarest gemstones on Earth. When exceptional color, clarity, and size come together, rubies enter an entirely different league.

In 2023, the Estrela de Fura, a 55.22-carat ruby, sold for a record-breaking $34.8 million, becoming the most valuable ruby ever sold at auction.

4. "Pigeon's Blood" Isn't Just Marketing.

Arguably, the most sought-after color for this stone type is Pigeon's Blood Ruby.

The term refers to a vivid, saturated red with a subtle hint of blue (This is an appearance long associated with the finest rubies from Myanmar)

While laboratories have higher standards for how this color is defined, the phrase has remained part of gemstone vocabulary for generations. You might come into this trade not knowing what a Ruby is, but knowing that whatever it is - it needs to be pigeon blood color. 

5. Rubies: Myth vs Man

Ruby's story extends well beyond the jewelry world!

• The first working laser, demonstrated in 1960, used a synthetic ruby crystal as its active material.
• In ancient times, rubies were believed to offer protection in battle, symbolize prosperity, and even guarantee success in love.
• In ancient Sanskrit, ruby was known as ratnaraj—the King of Gems.

Whether admired for their history, rarity, or unmistakable color, rubies remain one of the world's most iconic gemstones!