July has come. And it’s high time for those who celebrate their birthdays this month to learn more about their birthstone Ruby.

The ruby, a red variety of the mineral corundum (all other color varieties of corundum are referred to as sapphire), is one of the most expensive gems. The ruby is the second hardest mineral only to diamond on the Mohs scale. Its name originates from the Latin word “rubber” meaning red. Depending on the chromium and iron content of the stone, ruby can be of different colors varying from a rose to a deep carmine. The distribution of color is often uneven due to foreign elements present in the gem that impart the color. One of the prominent characteristics of the gemstone is that the color is as beautiful by day as by artificial light

Apart from being the rarest and the most valuable of all gems, it is also believed to possess healing powers and protect its owners from misfortune and bad health, especially if worn on the left side of the body. In the Antiquity and Middle Ages the Ruby was considered to possess magical power to change the color so as to warn if its owner was in danger. As an ancient verse says:

“The gleaming ruby should adorn,

All those who in July are born,

For thus they’ll be exempt and free,

From lover’s doubts and anxiety.”

The main deposits of the ruby are in Burmah, Siam, Ceylon, Afghnistan, Thibet, Australia, and North Carolina, United States.