Birthstones first begin popping up in several different instances and cultures throughout history. Each culture has its own idea of what makes these gemstones special and why the color of each stone is important to the person born in that month.

One origin story dates back to ancient Hebrew culture and the twelve tribes of Israel. In this origin story, the breastplate of Aaron was believed to have had twelve different gemstones, each of which represented one of the twelve tribes and its corresponding month.

Another origin story lies in ancient Hindu tradition which associates different colored stones with different chakras. People born in certain months had talents or abilities associated with the chakras and stones that went hand in hand with their month. For instance, someone born in July was known to hold a fiery chakra as vibrant as the red ruby, which was associated with the root chakra. People with this gemstone were said to have a sense of safety and grounded reason.

No matter which tradition you choose to believe, birthstones have become a very important part of modern culture and can be a great way to better understand yourself and to represent who you are as a person.

Rubies are among diamonds and sapphires as one of the most precious gems in the world. Rubies have a universal meaning of power, passion, and good fortune. As July’s birthstone, the ruby is meant to enhance the beauty and confidence of those who wear it.

Also known as the King of Gems, rubies have been used as a symbol of royalty through the ages. They have emblazoned crowns, rings, earrings, and necklaces of history’s most powerful figures. Today, the ruby is meant to place the same regal value on those lucky enough to possess one.

Believed to imbue confidence, the ruby can boost a woman’s self-image and attract admiration. For this reason, ruby gemstone earrings are designed to bring out the fire and passion in a woman’s eyes. Also often used as a symbol of the heart, a ruby necklace is a popular choice to represent romance and commitment. In addition to July’s birthstone, the Ruby Anniversary celebrates 40 years of marriage.

There are plenty of famous rubies around the world that have become well known in pop culture for their size or other attributes. These gems have a unique history and have many mysteries surrounding them that make owning a pair of ruby earrings or other jewelry a beautiful and exciting thing.

One such ruby is the 125 Ruby which is the largest ruby in the world. This gigantic gemstone weighs almost eight and a half pounds and is worth 18,696 carats. Plus, it has a distinctly beautiful red color when placed under ultraviolet light, which gives it an extra special characteristic to set it apart. All in all, the ruby measures 122mm x 112mm x 134mm, making it one hefty gemstone.

Another large red ruby that’s famous for its size and brilliance is Chaiyo Ruby. This ruby is not only huge, weighing about 109,000 carats, but it’s also got a mysterious story surrounding it. Some experts claim that it came from Africa and was first purchased at the Thai-Burmese border, while others claim that it's completely fake. Still, other experts say that it was involved in a huge military heist and was stolen from its original possessor. No matter what its origins really are, the ruby is currently kept safe in the home of its private owner in Laos.

Speaking of crazy theft stories surrounding precious gemstones, another famous ruby is the DeLong Star Ruby. This ruby is a little over 100 carats and currently sits in the Museum of Natural History located in New York City, New York. It has a beautifully sharp red color with a 6-rayed star and its namesake is a woman named Mrs. Edith Haggin de Long who originally purchased the ruby in 1937. Unfortunately, this ruby was stolen during a jewelry heist in 1964. It was stolen along with two other rare and valuable gemstones, but luckily was eventually recovered and is now safely back where it belongs.

The last noteworthy ruby is a gemstone called The Sunrise Ruby and is the most expensive ruby in the world. It's untreated and clocks in at almost 26 carats. It has a gorgeous “pigeon blood red” color which gives it a unique clarity and brilliance and is complemented by its own finely curated shape and cut. It was named after a Sufi poem from the 13th century and is currently selling for over $30 million. It’s not only the most expensive ruby sold at an auction but is also the most expensive all around gemstone ever sold at auction.

Rubies have many meanings and provide special attributes to a wearer born in July, but there are a few key things to note about July’s birthstone.

Firstly, it’s important to note that rubies are associated with passion and a desire to live your best life. Rubies are typically used in crystal healing practices for integrity, devotion, passion, enthusiasm, inspiration, courage, healing, high energy, generosity, and power and leadership. These properties make rubies symbolic of people who are cheerful and engaged in the life they are leading and are excited about future prospects.

Rubies are a popular choice for engagement rings because of their significance. Their zest for life, dedication, and passion make them desirable to fashion into all types of jewelry. If you’re thinking about getting engaged soon, this could be a great way to bring your birthstone into your new life!