Ruby Birthstone: A Detailed Look at the July Gem

Has there ever been a stone so connected to opulence and the power of love? There’s just something about rubies that seems to touch the soul. Perhaps it’s the glowing red hue, or maybe the fact that we have seen this red stone adorning generations of royalty and nobility.

Of all the precious stones, the mighty ruby has a rare energy. In history it has been known to symbolise the sun, it’s been called the inextinguishable flame, and a Burmese legend also believed that putting this stone beneath the skin could make you immortal. There’s no doubt, this stone has a lore of power.

The ruby takes its name from the Latin word ‘ruber’ which means red. No doubt a nod to the deep colouring of this rich gem, it’s one of the four ‘precious gemstones’ taking its place alongside diamonds, sapphires and emeralds.

Traditionally, ruby grading employs a tiered system, categorised into AAA, AA, A, and B qualities. Referencing a ruby colour chart reveals these graded ranks beneath each stone.

Natural AAA denotes the rarest and most costly rubies, representing just 1% of all natural gemstones. Following closely is Natural AA, comprising 10% of the gemstone market, favoured for its high quality, ideal for fine jewellery. Think queens and kings throughout history, red carpet royalty and all the moguls and tycoons of the world.

Next in line is Natural A, constituting the top 20% of gemstones, offering commendable quality suitable for jewellery crafting. Finally, Natural B encompasses over 50% of gemstones, providing a diverse range of beauty, though not quite at the top of the prestige charts in the hierarchy of gemstone quality. Whilst this is the standard for assessing ruby quality, our team goes that extra mile to ensure we offer the best gems.

All in all, if you’re after the most perfect stone in the world, look for rubies with vibrant red hues, minimal inclusions, and well-executed cuts, and consider the carat weight to find the best-quality ruby for your needs. But it’s important to remember that each ruby has a story behind it, each colour can look differently in the eye of the beholder so whatever gem you decide to choose will be beautiful because of its significance to you. And rest assured we only choose stones that we’d recommend to our loved ones.

Rubies often undergo heat treatment to enhance their colour, eliminating purplish tones and refining their red hue. This process can also diminish ‘silk’ microscopic needle-like inclusions, and render the gem more transparent. Cleaning methods vary depending on treatment, with untreated and heat-treated stones generally safe for warm soapy water, while caution is advised for glass-filled or dyed stones.

We recommend you use a small drop of washing-up liquid and warm water to gently scrub your jewellery with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with warm water to remove any residue. Pat dry with a soft cloth or microfibre towel. If your ring contains coloured gemstones, we recommend you only clean your ring in this way as gemstones, especially emeralds, can crack when used with other devices such as an ultrasonic cleaner.

When selecting a ruby for a centre stone, side stone or to decorate a piece of jewellery, there’s a world of choice. Whether you prefer a deep, dark red or a lighter blush, our experts are on hand to help you choose the stone that best represents the occasion as well as the wearer.