July Birthstone: Ruby

There’s no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby in celebration of a July birthday. Rubies arouse the senses, stir the imagination, and are said to guarantee health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value.

Rubies do not age. The fire that was locked in their hearts millions of years ago still burns, even after the emperors and empires that fought for them have crumbled to dust and ashes

The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. If the gem is too light or has too much purple or orange, it will be called a fancy-color sapphire.

 

 

Two-sided ruby and diamond Art Deco bangle, Boucheron, circa 1935

 

 

Van Cleef Arpels yellow gold, ruby Mystery Ring

 

Two round rubies and a center brilliant diamond make this ring truly dazzling.

Ruby and diamond engagement yellow gold ring

 

Bow ruby necklace by Garrard, ruby beads, diamonds & white gold

Ruby engagement rings are said to symbolize love, passion and courage, perfect for a colorful engagement ring that represents your relationship. For those born in July, ruby rings are particularly poignant. If your loved one’s birthstone is the ruby, it is worth considering whether a ruby center stone or side-stones would be a gorgeous choice for their engagement ring.

by Jean Amr

Birthstones by Month

Traditionally, a birthstone is associated with each month of the year. For example, the birthstone for January is a garnet, while lucky babies born in April get a diamond as their birthstone. The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Verdura 18kt Yellow Gold ‘Pebble’ Amethyst Bracelet

It’s uncertain how the specific months became connected with the various stones. However, some speculate that their origins date back to biblical times when the breastplate belonging to a priest was decorated with 12 assorted colored gems. As time wore on, the 12 gems became associated with the zodiac and the months connected to it.

This started the tradition of wearing a colored stone each month as a sort of good luck charm. Initially people wore all twelve stones, rotating according to the month of the year to derive the greatest benefit of each stone. Believing that the various gems held magical powers for the individual born within a given month, people started to wear the stone associated with their birth month for the entire year. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers designed a list dedicating different gems to various months. What was once thought to be controversial based on its commercialism is now widely accepted as the official birthstone list.

 

 

A vintage 14kt white gold, turquoise, emerald, blue sapphire and diamond necklace, the clasp of which can be worn as a brooch.

The current list dates back to 1912 with only one addition since then, the tanzanite was added to December. There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and their therapeutic influence. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers.

For the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve and alternate them monthly.

More on birthstones and their fabulous jewels here at Yakymour at the first of every forth comming month….

by Jean Amr