The birthstone for July is ruby, which is one of the most valuable gemstones. Boasting of rich hues ranging from deep pink and purple to stunning reds, they are rightfully called the king of precious gemstones. They have been used for making jewelry for hundreds of years because of their ethereal beauty and unmatched brilliance. Ruby jewelry, such as unique ruby rings and necklaces, is an amazing choice of gift for people who were born in the month of July, as well as for couples on their 15th or 40th wedding anniversary.

History and meaning behind ruby

Rubies symbolize love, passion, courage, and prosperity, and have been considered to be a prized gemstone since ancient times. While the name “ruby” comes from the Latin word for “red”, it is in the Asian countries that the stone finds special reverence. In the Orient, it is described as “a deep drop of the heart’s blood of Mother Earth.” Accounts of ruby trading dates to as far back as 200 BC, to China’s North Silk Road. Men belonging to noble households in China got their armor encrusted with rubies because they believed that the stone possessed the power to protect them against harm. In India, the Hindus believed that donating rubies to honor Lord Krishna will assure you rebirth as a king in the future life.

Today, rubies are widely used for crafting a plethora of precious jewelry, such as ruby olive jewelry, ruby necklaces, rings, and more.What is ruby olive jewelry?

How to take care of your ruby jewelry

If you want your ruby jewelry to stay beautiful and sparkling for a long time, you need to learn how to take care of it. Here’s what you should do:

• Do not wear your ruby jewelry while doing household chores, because blunt force can damage the stone.
• Keep your ruby jewelry protected from chemicals and oils, such as the ones found in lotions, and perfumes.
• Clean your jewelry regularly using a mild soap and warm water solution. You can gently scrub the stones with a soft brush to remove dirt. Rinse with warm water and wipe it dry using a soft cloth.
• Do not store your ruby jewelry with other gemstone jewelry. While rubies can hardly be scratches by other stones, they can damage softer gemstones.

Buy gorgeous handmade ruby jewelry at Gemjunky.