Ruby - July

Ruby is often considered one of the most valuable gemstones. With its intense red color, it is commonly associated with passion and courage.

The best color for rubies is a deep, pure vivid red to slightly purplish red. A purplish red is generally considered better than an orangey red. Pink, purple and orange stones are classified as fancy sapphire rather than ruby.

Rubies are very rare and valuable in large sizes. A fine 4-carat ruby will sell for more than a top 4-carat emerald or diamond!

The most famous source of ruby is Myanmar (Burma), which produces ruby with a juicy intense red.

Rubies are also found is Madagascar, Thailand, Vietnam, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Tanzania.

Rubies are a very durable gemstone with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.

Clean rubies with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.