July’s birthstone is among the most highly prized of the gems throughout history. Â Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Â The word ruby comes from the latin “Ruber”, meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. Â Corundum is the second hardest mineral after diamond. Â It comes in a variety of shades/colors and is considered a sapphire in any color other than red.
Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are true red in color. Large size rubies are very rare and valuable.
The history of  ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years.  The most beautiful stones are thougt to be from Burma, but quality stones are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States.
It has been said that the ruby’s red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished making a gift of this stone symbolic of ever lasting love.
