Ruby: The Fiery Birthstone of July



Ruby: The Fiery Birthstone of July

If you were born in July, or you love someone who was, you already share a birth month with one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones on earth. Ruby is July's birthstone, and it has been prized for thousands of years for a color that simply does not exist anywhere else in nature: a deep, saturated red that jewelers call "pigeon's blood" when it reaches its finest quality.

At Diamond Haus Custom Jewelers, we get a lot of questions about ruby every summer, so we put together this guide to help you understand what makes it special, what to look for, and how to find (or design) a piece that will hold its beauty for generations.

Why Ruby Is So Valuable

Ruby belongs to the corundum family, the same mineral family as sapphire. What separates a ruby from every other corundum gem is the presence of chromium, which gives the stone its signature red. That same chromium is also what makes fine rubies so rare. Large, clean, richly colored natural rubies are harder to find than comparably sized diamonds, which is why exceptional rubies routinely bring higher prices per carat than diamonds of the same size.

A natural ruby also carries something a lab-created stone or a dyed imitation never will: a real geologic history. It formed under intense heat and pressure over millions of years before it ever reached a jeweler's bench. That history is part of what makes it meaningful as a gift.

What to Look For in a Ruby

If you are shopping for ruby jewelry, here is what our GIA-certified team pays attention to:

  • Color. The most prized rubies show a vivid, slightly bluish red. Stones that lean too orange or too purple are generally less valuable.

  • Clarity. Rubies almost always have some natural inclusions. A few tiny inclusions are normal and even expected in a natural stone. What matters is whether they affect brilliance or durability.

  • Cut. A well-cut ruby returns more light and shows richer color. Cutting a ruby well takes skill, since the goal is to preserve carat weight without sacrificing color.

  • Origin and treatment. Many rubies on the market are heat treated to improve color and clarity, which is an accepted industry practice. Untreated rubies are rarer and more valuable. We are always transparent with our clients about what they are buying.

Ruby for Every Kind of Gift

Ruby's boldness makes it a favorite for more than just birthstone jewelry:

  • July birthdays, obviously, but ruby is also the traditional gift for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

  • Engagement rings for anyone who wants a colored center stone with real fire and a nontraditional look.

  • Statement pieces, since ruby pairs beautifully with white diamonds, yellow gold, and platinum alike.

If you have been eyeing something with ruby, take a look at our ring, necklace, and pendant collections, or browse everything currently in the showroom.

Why Buy Your Ruby From Diamond Haus

Diamond Haus Custom Jewelers has been family-owned and operated since 1997, and everything we sell is backed by GIA-certified gemologists working right here in Cold Spring, KY. 

If you would rather design something completely your own, that is where we really shine. Bring us a Pinterest board, a family heirloom you want reimagined, or just an idea in your head, and our in-house CAD design team will turn it into a wearable piece of jewelry you will not find anywhere else. Learn more about our custom design process.

Ready to See Ruby in Person?

Photos never quite capture the way a fine ruby catches light. Stop by our Cold Spring showroom; no appointment necessary for walk-ins, or book a free consultation if you would like one-on-one time with our team.

Want to know more about the family behind Diamond Haus? Learn about us here.

Warmly, The Diamond Haus Team 3955 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 | (859) 442-0506