Carnelian Birthstone ~ the Alternative Stone for July Birthdays ~ From Rock to Ring
Carnelian is the alternative birthstone for July birthdays and there’s something quietly astonishing about holding a smooth, warm piece of carnelian in your palm. Its translucent orange-to-reddish glow looks simple at first — a pretty color, a glossy finish — until you remember that every carnelian began as silica-rich fluids seeping into rock, took millions of years to form, and then passed through the hands and tools of miners, sorters, cutters and polishers before arriving as a bead, cabochon, or signet on someone’s finger. This article walks that full story: where carnelian comes from, how it forms, how people extract and process it, how lapidaries turn it into jewelry, and…
Ten Ruby Gemstone Facts (July Stones)
Ruby gemstones are among the world’s most prized and durable gems, famous for their vivid red color, fascinating natural features, and remarkable history in both jewelry and science. Here are ten interesting facts about ruby stones followed by a fun trivia quiz. How many can you get right?? Ten Ruby Gemstone Facts 1. Ruby Is the Red Variety of Corundum Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide). All other colors of gem-quality corundum are classified as sapphire, not ruby. What makes ruby different is the presence of chromium, which gives it its red color. 2. Rubies Rank 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale Ruby is extremely durable, ranking…
The Many Different Shades of Ruby Gemstones ~ July’s Birthstone
There are many different shades of ruby gemstones, depending on their origin and the presence of trace elements in their crystal structure. Rubies are a type of corundum mineral that are known for their deep red color, which is caused by the presence of chromium in the crystal structure. Other trace elements such as iron, titanium, and vanadium result in shades of pink, purple, orange, and brown. Ruby Gemstone Colors When describing a color in gemmology (study of gems), the primary color is stated last and the secondary color stated first. So, for rubies the primary color is red and some of the most common ruby shades are purplish-red, orange-red…
Where Carnelian Stone is Found Around the World ~ July’s Warm Reddish-Brown Crystal
Let’s journey around the globe to explore where carnelian is found, what makes each locale unique, how to spot the subtle differences in grade and color, and the various trade names. Lovely, warm reddish-brown carnelian is July's second or alternative birthday crystal. Carnelian, sometimes spelled cornelian, is a reddish‑orange variety of chalcedony - part of the quartz family - that’s been prized since antiquity for its warm glow and rich symbolism. Its name likely derives from the Latin caro, meaning “flesh,” reflecting the stone’s range of hues from pale peach to deep burnt orange. Yet carnelian isn’t alone in its color family: it’s often confused or conflated with sard, sardonyx…
