July Birthstone Color and Flower & more July Birthday Symbols

The July Birthstone is Ruby

The official birthstone for July is the ravishing red Ruby and thus the July birthstone color is red. The Carnelian gemstone is the alternative birthstone for July, which also occurs in warm reddish colors.

Ruby is one of the Zodiac birthstones for Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22) and Carnelian is one of the Zodiac birthstones for Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22). Other birthday symbols include the birth flowers for July which are the Larkspur and Water Lily.

Rubies are extremely valuable and are one of the four precious gemstones, together with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. Besides being a meaningful July birthday gift, Ruby jewelry is also given to celebrate 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

The word Ruby originates from the Latin “ruber” meaning “red”, and the Ruby gemstone is associated with devotion, integrity, courage and happiness. Famous rubies such as the Timor Ruby and the Black Prince's Ruby of the British crown jewels, were in fact later discovered to be red spinel.

Watch the short, informative videos below highlighting the history, symbolism and properties of Ruby and Carnelian.

The July Birthstone Color is Red

July's birthstone color of red comes from July's birthstone Ruby, which has a primary color of deep red with secondary hues of pink, orange and violet. These secondary shades can indicate the country of origin.

Rough Ruby is found in limestone and in gem gravels around the world. The most well known deposits are in Myanmar (Burma) where rubies have an exceptional color and a glowing fluorescence.

Rough uncut Ruby stones are used as healing crystals or unusual pieces added to rock collections. Smaller, lower grade stones might be polished and tumbled and used in crafts or handmade jewelry. Larger, higher grade stones are cut by lapidary experts into cabochons or faceted and set in gold or silver fine jewelry.

July birthstone jewelry set with the valuable and precious Ruby gemstone is a special gift for a milestone birthday.

Discover more about ruby gemstones and ruby history and symbolism.

The Alternative July Birthstone is Carnelian

The alternative birthstone for July is Carnelian which occurs in various shades of reddish brown. Clarity can range from being totally clear to opaque and the stone is sometimes banded. The reddish color of Carnelian comes from its iron content and heat treatments enhance these deeper red tones.

Carnelian usually forms as nodules in basalt volcanic rock and major deposits occur in Brazil, India, Japan and Uruguay. The gemstone is hard enough to fashion into beads or cabochons, and was once widely used in carved cameos. Carnelian is one of the brightly colored gemstones used to decorate the extensive inlays of the Taj Mahal.

Rough Carnelian crystals are used by healers, collected by rock hounds or wrapped in wire as pendants. Polished and tumbled stones can be carved into various shapes for craft projects, home decor or set in handmade jewelry.