Unpolished ruby

Ruby

July's birthstone

Photograph by bildagentur, Alamy

Represents contentment

You’re happy with yourself and your life. You don’t feel the need to make changes.

Old-school myths

Some people thought rubies contained the spark of life. Many believed that the gems glowed from within and that royalty and gods used rubies to light their homes. That also meant that the stones couldn't be stolen, because they'd shine through the thieves' clothing. A ruby supposedly brought good health, cured bleeding, guarded against wickedness, and foretold bad luck.

Rock-solid facts

Rubies are a red form of the mineral corundum. All other colors of corundum are sapphires. Large gem-quality diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires are scarce, but rubies are the rarest of all.