July birthstone: ruby
The July birthstone is ruby, the red variety of corundum.
How to read it
Ruby has been the July birthstone since 1912. Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral, corundum: red corundum is ruby, and every other colour is sapphire.
Also searched as: birthstone for July, ruby birthstone.
Why ruby is July's stone
Before 1912, ruby was often given to December. The list adopted that year moved ruby to July and turquoise to December, a change George Kunz recorded in 1913 and disagreed with.
More birthstones
Sources
- July Birthstone: Ruby (GIA), Gemological Institute of America
- Birthstone Chart: Modern and Traditional Birthstones, International Gem Society
- The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, by George Frederick Kunz, 1913, J. B. Lippincott (Project Gutenberg edition)
Last reviewed September 27, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research