Birthday Stones: Ruby

Ruby is the birthstone for July and Ruby is also the recommended gem for couples celebrating their 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. In the fascinating world of gemstones, the ruby is the undisputed ruler. Which color would you spontaneously associate with love and vivacity, passion and power? It's obvious, isn't it? Red. Red is the color of love. It radiates warmth and a strong sense of vitality.

Ruby gemstone has been prized throughout history as one of the most precious gemstone. For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on Earth. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or "king of precious stones." In the Bible, only wisdom and virtuous women are "more precious than rubies."

Ruby has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness and outstanding brilliance. Also the color of blood, the stone is symbolic of courage and bravery. Warriors were said to have implanted rubies under their skin to bring them valor in battle and make them invincible. Ruby has also been used as a talisman against danger, disaster, to stop bleeding, and a number of other ailments.

Its intense color was thought to come from an undying flame inside the stone - or, as some legends would have it, a piece of the planet Mars. Two magical elements are associated with the symbolism of this color: fire and blood, implying warmth and life for mankind. So ruby-red is not just any color it is absolutely undiluted, hot, passionate, powerful color.