July Birthstone: Ruby
The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum. Rated 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, ruby has been July’s official birthstone since the modern list was set in 1912, and it stands for passion, protection and courage.
Find the birthstone for your exact date in July, what “pigeon’s blood” means, natural vs heat-treated vs lab-grown ruby, and how TrueSanity makes ruby jewelry with every cost disclosed.
By Amit Jhalani, third-generation jeweler · Updated October 2026
| July birthstone | Ruby |
|---|---|
| Ruby is the birthstone for | July |
| Mineral | Corundum (red) |
| Color | Pinkish red to deep red; finest “pigeon’s blood” |
| Meaning | Passion, protection, courage |
| Hardness | 9 Mohs |
| Zodiac | Cancer, Leo |
| Anniversary | 15th and 40th |
Find your date
What Is the Birthstone for Your July Birthday?
The birthstone for every day in July is ruby. Your zodiac sign changes: Cancer covers July 1–22, and Leo begins on July 23.
Tap a day for its birthstone, zodiac sign and a famous July birthday.
July 1st Birthstone
Ruby
Your Birthstone
If you were born on July 1st, your birthstone is ruby, the king of precious stones. As a Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22), ruby is especially aligned with your sign.
Cancer + Ruby
Ruby brings fire to Cancer’s deep emotional nature. The stone’s old associations with protection and the life force of blood suit the Crab’s fierce instinct to protect those it loves.
What Is the July Birthstone?
The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of corundum, the same mineral as sapphire. Corundum in every other color is called sapphire; only red earns its own name. The name comes from the Latin ruber, red, and in ancient India ruby was called the king of precious stones for its rarity, hardness and beauty.
Ruby gets its red from traces of chromium, which also makes fine rubies fluoresce, so they seem to glow from within. At 9 on the Mohs scale, ruby and sapphire are second only to diamond in hardness, and corundum’s toughness makes ruby one of the best colored gems for rings worn every day.
Ruby
Red corundumChromium makes corundum red. Only red corundum is called ruby.
Sapphire
Every other colorBlue, pink, yellow and more. Light pinkish reds sit on the line, and labs draw it differently. Read the sapphire guide.
Does July Have Two Birthstones?
No. Ruby is the only July birthstone on the modern list, set in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) and still used in the United States today. Older traditional lists, used from the 15th to the 20th century, gave July onyx and turquoise, and the British list names carnelian as an alternative to ruby. So if you see a “second” July birthstone, it is one of those older or regional choices.
Months that do have more than one modern birthstone are June (pearl, alexandrite and moonstone), August, October, November and December. See every month on the birthstone chart.
July Birthstone Color: What Is Pigeon’s Blood Ruby?
Ruby ranges from pinkish red to orangy red to deep purplish red. The most prized color is “pigeon’s blood”: a pure, vivid red with a hint of purple and strong fluorescence. The term comes from the Burmese ruby trade and is most closely tied to rubies from Mogok, in Myanmar.
Color is the biggest factor in a ruby’s value. Chromium that deepens the color also tends to leave inclusions, so large, clean, vividly red rubies are extremely rare. A fine ruby can cost more per carat than a diamond of the same size, and fine untreated rubies with pigeon’s blood color carry the highest premiums.
Color
The purer and more vivid the red, the higher the value. Too dark or too pink lowers it.
Clarity
Rubies are expected to have inclusions. Fine needles called silk can even soften the color.
Size
Fine rubies over a few carats are rare, and price per carat climbs steeply with size.
Natural, Heat-Treated and Lab-Grown Ruby
Most natural rubies are heated to improve their color and clarity. Heat treatment is stable, permanent and accepted across the trade. Lower-quality rubies are sometimes glass-filled, with lead glass packed into fractures to hide them; those stones are fragile and worth far less.
Lab-grown ruby is real ruby, the same corundum with the same hardness and color. It was the first gem grown commercially in a lab, by Auguste Verneuil’s flame-fusion process in 1902, and it costs a fraction of a fine natural stone.
TrueSanity sells both natural and lab-grown ruby. We disclose every natural ruby as heat-treated unless a lab report states it is untreated, we never sell glass-filled rubies, and every lab-grown ruby is disclosed as lab-grown, on the product page and in the Transparency Manifest. Read more in natural ruby vs lab-created ruby.
Where Rubies Come From
Same mineral. Different ground, different character.
Myanmar (Mogok)
The benchmarkSought-after rubies for more than five centuries. The source most tied to pigeon’s blood red and strong fluorescence.
Mozambique
Today’s major sourceThe Montepuez deposits supply much of today’s fine ruby, and produced the record-setting Estrela de Fura.
Vietnam
Luc Yen & Quy ChauAn important source since the late 20th century, often red to purplish red.
Thailand–Cambodia
Darker redsA major source of rubies for many years in the late 1900s, known for darker, iron-rich reds.
Sri Lanka & East Africa
Lighter redsSri Lanka gives lighter, pinkish reds. Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar add more; Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan are smaller sources.
July Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
Ruby stands for passion, protection and courage. Its color is the color of blood, and nearly every culture that knew it tied it to life, love and power.
King of Precious Stones
In ancient India ruby was the king of gems, a symbol of power and youthful energy worn by royalty.
Protection in Battle
Burmese warriors believed ruby made them invincible. Others thought it could warn of danger, cure inflammation or soothe anger.
Love and Devotion
Medieval Europeans believed ruby brought health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. Ruby marks the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
The History of the July Birthstone
- Ancient India
- Ruby was called the king of precious stones, valued above all others for its rarity, hardness and color.
- 15th century on
- Mogok, in Myanmar, became the world’s most famous ruby source, and has produced sought-after rubies for more than five centuries.
- 1902
- Auguste Verneuil grew ruby in a lab by flame fusion, the first gem ever made commercially.
- 1912
- The National Association of Jewelers named ruby the July birthstone on the modern list, replacing the older onyx and turquoise.
- 1939 and 1960
- Dorothy’s ruby slippers, made of sequins, not rubies, appeared in The Wizard of Oz; one pair is now at the Smithsonian. In 1960 the first working laser used a synthetic ruby crystal.
- 2015 and 2023
- The Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese ruby, sold for about $30.3 million. In 2023 the Estrela de Fura, a 55.22-carat ruby from Mozambique, set a new record at about $34.8 million.
Ruby in Astrology: Who Should Wear It?
In Vedic astrology, ruby (manik) is the gem of the Sun. Astrologers usually recommend it based on a person’s birth chart rather than birth month, and some advise against it for certain charts, which is why “who should not wear a ruby” is a common question. If astrology matters to you, ask your astrologer about your own chart.
As a gem, ruby has no such limits: anyone can wear it, and at 9 on the Mohs scale it suits everyday rings. In Western astrology, ruby is linked with both of July’s signs, Cancer and Leo.
Four Ways to Wear Ruby
Each piece ships with a Transparency Manifest. No hidden markups. Just the stone, the craft, and the truth.
How to Care for Your July Birthstone
Ruby is one of the easiest gems to care for. Clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated and heat-treated rubies. Glass-filled or dyed rubies should only be wiped with a damp cloth, which is one reason we don’t sell them.
Built for Daily Wear
9 on the Mohs scale with good toughness. Ruby handles rings worn every day.
Simple Cleaning
Warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic is usually safe for heat-treated ruby.
Store Apart
Keep ruby away from diamonds, which can scratch it, and have prongs checked now and then.
Nocturnal Luxury, Radical Transparency
What a July birthstone piece really costs
Ruby has been the gem of kings for centuries, and its pricing has been just as guarded. This is the live Transparency Manifest of a real ruby piece: metal, ruby and diamonds, craft, shipping, and what we make. When its costs change, this changes with them.
How the Transparency Manifest works →Ruby & Diamond Three Stone Ring - Marina
Birthstone for Every Day in July
Whether you’re born on July 1st, July 15th, or July 31st, your July birthstone is ruby. Birthstones are assigned by month, not by individual day. What does change is your zodiac sign: July 1–22 is Cancer, July 23–31 is Leo.
Jul 1–22 · Cancer
Water sign · Ruled by the Moon
Ruby brings fire to Cancer’s deep emotional nature: passion to protect, courage to feel, and warmth that turns vulnerability into quiet strength.
Jul 23–31 · Leo
Fire sign · Ruled by the Sun
Ruby is Leo’s stone in every sense: the king of gems for the king of the zodiac, and in Vedic astrology the gem of the Sun.
July Birthstone by Date: Quick Reference
| Dates | Birthstone | Zodiac sign | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1st–5th | Ruby | Cancer ♋︎ | Red |
| July 6th–11th | Ruby | Cancer ♋︎ | Red |
| July 12th–17th | Ruby | Cancer ♋︎ | Red |
| July 18th–22nd | Ruby | Cancer ♋︎ | Red |
| July 23rd–27th | Ruby | Leo ♌︎ | Red |
| July 28th–31st | Ruby | Leo ♌︎ | Red |
The July 1st birthstone is ruby.The July 2nd birthstone is ruby.The July 3rd birthstone is ruby.The July 4th birthstone is ruby.The July 5th birthstone is ruby.The July 6th birthstone is ruby.The July 7th birthstone is ruby.The July 8th birthstone is ruby.The July 9th birthstone is ruby.The July 10th birthstone is ruby.The July 11th birthstone is ruby.The July 12th birthstone is ruby.The July 13th birthstone is ruby.The July 14th birthstone is ruby.The July 15th birthstone is ruby.The July 16th birthstone is ruby.The July 17th birthstone is ruby.The July 18th birthstone is ruby.The July 19th birthstone is ruby.The July 20th birthstone is ruby.The July 21st birthstone is ruby.The July 22nd birthstone is ruby (last Cancer date).The July 23rd birthstone is ruby (Leo begins).The July 24th birthstone is ruby.The July 25th birthstone is ruby.The July 26th birthstone is ruby.The July 27th birthstone is ruby.The July 28th birthstone is ruby.The July 29th birthstone is ruby.The July 30th birthstone is ruby.The July 31st birthstone is ruby.
July Birthstone FAQs
What is the July birthstone?
The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of the mineral corundum. It rates 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, and has been the official July birthstone since the modern list was set in 1912. Ruby stands for passion, protection and courage.
What month is ruby the birthstone for?
Ruby is the birthstone for July. It is also the traditional gem for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
What are the two birthstones for July?
Ruby is the only July birthstone on the modern list. Older traditional lists gave July onyx and turquoise, and the British list names carnelian as an alternative, which is why some charts show a second July stone.
What is the original July birthstone?
Before the modern list of 1912, traditional lists from the 15th to the 20th century gave July onyx and turquoise. The National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) made ruby the July birthstone in 1912, and it has been ever since.
What does the July birthstone ruby symbolize?
Ruby symbolizes passion, protection and courage. In ancient India it was the king of precious stones, Burmese warriors believed it made them invincible, and medieval Europeans believed it brought health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Is ruby the same mineral as sapphire?
Yes. Ruby and sapphire are both corundum. Red corundum, colored by chromium, is ruby; corundum of every other color is sapphire. Both rate 9 on the Mohs scale.
What is pigeon's blood ruby?
Pigeon's blood is the trade name for the most prized ruby color: a pure, vivid red with a hint of purple and strong fluorescence. The term comes from the Burmese ruby trade and is most closely tied to rubies from Mogok, in Myanmar.
Is July's birthstone the rarest?
Fine ruby is one of the rarest and most valuable colored gems. Large, clean rubies with vivid red color are extremely scarce, and the most valuable rubies sell for more per carat than diamonds of the same size.
Who should not wear a ruby?
As a gem, anyone can wear ruby; it is hard and tough enough for everyday rings. The question comes from Vedic astrology, where ruby is the gem of the Sun and astrologers recommend or advise against it based on a person's birth chart. If astrology matters to you, ask your astrologer about your own chart.
Which stone is lucky for July born?
Ruby, the July birthstone, is the stone traditionally linked with people born in July. It has long been seen as a stone of protection, courage and good fortune.
What is a Leo's stone?
Lists of zodiac stones vary. Ruby is often linked with Leo, the sign of the Sun, and peridot, the August birthstone, is also commonly listed for Leo. Leos born July 23 to 31 have ruby as their birthstone.
Is ruby durable enough for an engagement ring?
Yes. Ruby rates 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond, and has good toughness, so it suits engagement rings and other rings worn every day.
Are TrueSanity rubies natural or lab-grown?
We sell both. We disclose every natural ruby as heat-treated unless a lab report states it is untreated, and we never sell glass-filled rubies. Every lab-grown ruby is disclosed as lab-grown. You will find the details on the product page and in the Transparency Manifest.
Does the July birthstone change depending on the date?
No. Every day in July has the same birthstone: ruby. The zodiac sign changes, Cancer through July 22 and Leo from July 23, but the birthstone does not.
How do you clean a ruby?
Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated and heat-treated rubies. Glass-filled or dyed rubies should only be wiped with a damp cloth.
Why are some rubies more expensive than others?
Color matters most: the purer and more vivid the red, the higher the price. Size, clarity, treatment and origin follow. An untreated ruby with fine color is worth far more than a heated or lab-grown stone that looks similar.
What is July's birth flower?
July's birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily. Its birthstone is ruby, and its zodiac signs are Cancer (July 1 to 22) and Leo (July 23 to 31).
Keep Learning
More from the TrueSanity guides.
Find Your Ruby
Birthstones by month
Sources: GIA, July birthstone · Jewelers of America, which set the modern birthstone list in 1912 as the National Association of Jewelers · American Gem Society · Sotheby’s, for the Estrela de Fura sale.
Clarity is a Form of Luxury.