Gemstones
July’s Birthstone: The Beauty of Ruby and Its Gemstone Alternatives
Published: Jul 7, 2026
July’s Birthstone: The Beauty of Ruby and Its Gemstone Alternatives
July is the month of ruby, one of the most admired and historically important gemstones in the world. Known for its deep red color and timeless symbolism, ruby has long been associated with love, strength, passion, and royalty. For anyone born in July, ruby is more than just a birthstone; it is a gemstone with history, beauty, and lasting value.
At Geneva Jewelry, we always enjoy helping clients understand what makes a gemstone special before they choose a piece. Ruby belongs to the corundum mineral family, the same family as sapphire. The difference is its red color, which comes from chromium in the stone. The richer and more vivid the red, the more desirable the ruby becomes. Fine rubies can range from bright red to deeper red tones, with the most sought-after stones showing strong color, excellent saturation, and beautiful life.
One of the reasons ruby has remained so popular in fine jewelry is its durability. Ruby measures 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest natural gemstones used in jewelry. This makes it a wonderful choice for rings, pendants, earrings, and heirloom pieces that are meant to be worn and treasured for many years.
High-quality natural rubies, however, can be very expensive. Color, clarity, origin, size, and treatment all play major roles in a ruby's value. Stones with strong red color, good transparency, and minimal treatment are especially rare. Many rubies on the market are heat-treated, a common practice widely accepted in the jewelry industry. Still, other treatments, such as glass filling, can greatly affect both value and durability. This is why it is so important to purchase ruby jewelry from a trusted jeweler who can explain exactly what you are buying.
For those looking to explore ruby jewelry, you can view our collection online here: Ruby Jewelry Collection. Whether you are shopping for a July birthday, an anniversary, or a meaningful custom design, ruby remains one of the most classic choices in colored gemstone jewelry.
For clients who love the rich red and pink tones of ruby but may not want to spend the price of a fine natural ruby, rubellite tourmaline is a beautiful alternative. Rubellite is a variety of tourmaline known for its vibrant pink, raspberry, cranberry, and red tones. While it is not the same mineral as ruby and does not have the same hardness, it offers a bold and romantic color that can look stunning in fine jewelry.
Rubellite tourmaline is especially appealing for clients who want a gemstone with personality. Its color can feel warm, bright, and expressive, making it a wonderful option for rings, pendants, and custom pieces. For many people, rubellite gives the look of a rich red or pink gemstone at a more approachable price point than a high-quality ruby.
Spinel is another gemstone worth mentioning. Fine red spinels can resemble ruby and have been mistaken for ruby throughout history. Today, however, high-quality red spinels are much more appreciated and can be quite valuable. Because of that, spinel is not always the lower-cost alternative people expect. For clients who want a beautiful red or pink gemstone without reaching the price of fine ruby or fine spinel, rubellite tourmaline can be an excellent choice.
When choosing between ruby, spinel, and rubellite tourmaline, the right stone depends on the piece being made, the color you love, how often the jewelry will be worn, and your budget. Ruby offers durability, history, and classic beauty. Spinel offers brilliance, rarity, and beautiful red tones. Rubellite tourmaline offers vivid color, warmth, and individuality.
If you are interested in comparing ruby jewelry with other richly colored gemstones, we invite you to browse our Ruby Jewelry Collection or visit us in person at Geneva Jewelry in Riverside. Seeing the color of these gemstones in person can make a big difference, especially when choosing between shades of red, pink, and raspberry.
This July, celebrate the beauty of ruby and the many gemstone options that share its rich, romantic color. Whether you are shopping for a July birthstone gift, a custom gemstone ring, or a special piece of jewelry with lasting meaning, our family at Geneva Jewelry would be happy to help you find the right stone and design.
Visit Geneva Jewelry in Riverside or explore our Ruby Jewelry Collection online to learn more about ruby jewelry, tourmaline jewelry, and custom colored gemstone designs.