The Pomegranate Jewellery Guide To Rubies, Birthstone For July

July 2023

Ruby is the birthstone for July and is one of the most loved gemstones next to the likes of diamonds and sapphires. Although we generally think of rubies as being bright red in colour, they actually come in a variety of different hues. Read on to find more.

Rubies are a stunning gemstone and we love the fact they come in a variety of hues, deep red rubies are truly stunning, but lighter rubies with more of a pink tone to them are beautiful and are gemstones we often make use of in our handcrafted pieces.

Interesting Facts About Rubies

Catharine Becket, Head of Magnificent Jewels in New York, states that “Rubies are evocative in a way no other coloured gem can match. The ruby’s lore and geographic origins are steeped in Asia, where it has been heralded as one of the rarest and most precious stones."
40th wedding anniversaries are also known as the ruby wedding anniversaries and traditionally rubies are gifted by couples.
Rubies have cultural significance in many societies. For example, in ancient Hinduism, rubies were considered the "king of gemstones" and believed to protect against evil.
Some cultures use rubies as a talisman for good fortune and protection.
The largest ruby in the world is currently housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and is known as the "Rosser Reeves Star Ruby", the ruby weighs 138.7 carats.
URA Gems uncovered the world's largest gem-quality ruby ever discovered in September 2022, weighing in at 101 carats
Ruby mining in Mozambique has a long and rich history. Early discoveries of ruby deposits in the country date back to the 1960s.
The current world record for rubies sold at auction is held by the ‘Sunrise Ruby,’ which is a 25.59 carat Burmese ruby, which was auctioned at Sotheby’s May 2015, selling for $30.3 million.
Rubies are regarded as a tough gemstone, rating at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (compared to diamonds that rate at 10).
It's not unusual for rubies to be more expensive than diamonds due to their rarity.

Ruby Gemstone Care Guide

Over time rubies can appear cloudy or dull, but our simple tips will help you clean them and keep them looking beautiful.

Warm soapy water is generally safe to use for most hard gemstones, including rubies. Use a soft brush to scrub the stone and then dry using a soft, lint-free cloth.
If you have an item of jewellery that contains a number of rubies that suffers a bump or knock, it's worth taking your piece to a jeweller for them to double check to ensure none of the settings have become lose.
Diamonds are harder than rubies, so if stored together, they could potentially cause scratching. To avoid this, also ensure diamond and ruby jewellery is stored separately, particularly when travelling.