Ruby

Ruby is the recognized birthstone for July.

The ruby is often called the "Lord of the Gems" for its rarity and beauty. Hindus also refer to the ruby as "The Lord of the Gems," believing its deep red color came from an eternally burning and inextinguishable fire which was capable of boiling water. Ruby, in essence a red sapphire, is a variety of corundum with small amounts of chromium which gives the ruby its red color.

The finest ruby – a vivid, almost pure red – is said to protect its wearer from misfortune. Many believed rubies would protect a person's stature in life, home and land. Many believed a ruby would also assure its wearer would live in harmony with their neighbors. A ruby's protective powers are believed to be intensified when set in jewelry and worn on the left side of the body.

Rubies were believed to contain a glowing spark captured from the planet Mars. Ancient lore suggests that the ruby was capable of curing illness and reconciling quarreling lovers. Superstition holds that a person should never make faces at a ruby in a museum and never ignore it, for a ruby ignored, unseen, or unworn is said to grow dull.