The July birthstone is Ruby, a valuable gemstone with a long history. The meaning, uses, and healing properties of rubies vary depending on the source, but they are often considered to be symbols of love and passion. Rubies are also said to promote strength, courage, and vitality. If you’re looking for a colorful and meaningful gift for someone special in your life, consider giving them a ruby.
What Is Ruby?
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum, composed primarily of aluminum oxide. It’s also one of the most valuable gemstones in the world due to its rarity and brilliant red color. Rubies range in hue from deep crimson to lighter shades of pink or orange.
What is the natural color of Ruby?
Natural rubies are typically a deep red hue but can also be found in various shades of pink and orange due to trace amounts of iron and chromium. Rubies with a bright, even color are the most valuable, as ones with more than one hue or too much brown discoloration tend to be worth less.
Physical Properties Of Ruby
Ruby is a beautiful gemstone because of its many physical properties.
1. Composition: Ruby is composed of the mineral corundum, primarily aluminum oxide.
2. Hardness: On the Mohs scale, Ruby has a hardness of 9 out of 10—just one point shy of the diamond’s rating of 10. This means it can withstand a lot of wear and tear without being scratched or damaged.
3. Specific Gravity: Ruby has a specific gravity of 4.00–4.05, which is quite high compared to other gemstones such as quartz and topaz.
4. Refractive Index: Rubies also have an exceptionally high refractive index—meaning that they can bend light and display beautiful effects like iridescence and “fire” (the sparkles of color you see in a polished stone).
5. Thermal Conductivity: Rubies are excellent conductors of heat, which means they can be used to regulate temperatures in industrial applications.
6. Cleavage: Rubies have perfect cleavage, meaning they can be easily split into thin sheets.
7. Transparency: Rubies are usually transparent, but some pieces can be found in opaque or translucent hues.
8. Streak: The streak of a ruby is white.
9. Fracture: Rubies have a conchoidal fracture, meaning they break into curved surfaces rather than sharp angles.
10. Lustre: Rubies have an adamantine lustre, the same as diamonds and sapphires meaning they sparkle brightly when light reflects off their surface.
Metaphysical Healing Properties Of Ruby
In addition to its physical properties, Ruby is also believed to possess various metaphysical healing properties. These include:
1. Strength
Ruby is said to promote strength, courage, and vitality in those who wear it.
2. Love & Passion
As the traditional birthstone for July, Ruby is often associated with love and passion. It’s said to bring out the best in relationships and encourage acceptance of others.
3. Protection
Rubies are also thought to protect those who wear them from danger, misfortune, and harm.
4. Abundance
Finally, rubies are believed to attract abundance and prosperity into one’s life—making them a great choice for anyone who wishes to bring wealth and good fortune.
How To Use Ruby?
Ruby can be used in various ways to bring its energies into your life. Here are some ideas on how to use it:
1. Wear it.
The best way to bring the energies of Ruby into your life is to wear it as jewelry. Whether you choose a ring, bracelet, or necklace—wearing a Ruby will make its energies more accessible and easier to receive.
2. Place it around.
You can also place rubies in certain areas of your home or office to draw its energies into your life. Consider placing one in each corner of the room or in a place where you spend a lot of time.
3. Meditate with it.
Finally, you can hold a ruby while meditating and visualize the energy coming into your body and mind. This will help to bring more of Ruby’s properties into your life and help you to access its healing powers.
How To Cleanse Ruby?
It’s important to cleanse Ruby regularly to keep its energies strong and vibrant. There are a few simple ways you can do this:
Sunlight
Place your Ruby in direct sunlight for a few hours at least once a month to cleanse it of any negative energy that may have built up over time.
Water
You can also use water to cleanse your Ruby. Leave it in a bowl of cold or lukewarm water overnight, and it will be cleansed by morning.
Smudging
Finally, you can use the smoke from burning sage or other herbs to cleanse your Ruby of any negative energy that may be clinging to it. Pass it through the smoke a few times to purify it.
These are just some of the ways you can cleanse your Ruby and keep its energies strong to reap all its healing benefits.
The Magical Powers Of Ruby
In addition to its physical and metaphysical properties, Ruby is believed to possess various magical powers. These include:
Health
Ruby is a powerful healing stone that can help with physical ailments and promote overall health.
Wealth
Ruby is also said to bring wealth and good luck, making it a great choice for anyone looking to attract wealth and prosperity.
Wisdom & Clarity
Ruby is also thought to bring clarity and wisdom, helping to open the mind and access higher levels of knowledge.
The Ability To Live In Peace With Enemies
Ruby is also said to have the ability to help its wearer live in peace with enemies, allowing them to find common ground and come to an amicable resolution.
These are just some of the magical powers attributed to Ruby—making it a great choice for anyone looking to strengthen their magical practice.
Where should I place my Ruby crystal?
When using Ruby for any purpose, it’s important to place it in the correct location. Generally, you should place your Ruby somewhere where it will receive plenty of sunlight and fresh air—either near a window or outdoors if possible.
It can also be placed on an altar or other sacred area as long as it’s not in direct contact with any other crystals. Finally, Ruby should never be placed in the bedroom as it can become overstimulated and cause restlessness or insomnia.
Other Ruby Varieties
In addition to the traditional red Ruby, there are also a few other varieties of this stone that you may want to consider. These include:
Sunrise Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby features yellow and pink hues, giving it a unique sunrise effect.
Pink Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby is rose-colored and has softer energy than the traditional red variety.
Pigeon’s Blood Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby features a deep, vibrant red color that is reminiscent of the blood of a pigeon.
Red Ruby Gems
The traditional type of Ruby, featuring a deep red color.
Star Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby features a pattern that looks like a star when it is held up to the light.
Tanzanian Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby has a pinkish hue and is typically found in Tanzania.
Indian Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby has a dark red color and is found in India.
Mogok Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby is deep red and is found in Myanmar.
Mozambican Ruby Gems
This type of Ruby has a lighter pinkish hue and is found in Mozambique.
Glass Filled Ruby Gems
Finally, this type of Ruby has been filled with glass to enhance its color.
No matter which type of Ruby you choose, take the necessary steps to ensure that it is properly cleansed and charged to reap all of its magical benefits.
FAQs
How do ruby gemstones work?
Gems can be used to extend or modify functionality in Ruby applications. They’re commonly used to distribute reusable functionality shared with other Rubyists for use in their applications and libraries.
What are rubies typically made of?
Like other gemstones, rubies are created through extreme heat and pressure beneath the earth. The atoms of oxygen and aluminum become compressed into corundum. Corundum mixed with chromium results in rubies and their unique coloration.
What are the benefits of wearing a ruby?
The Ruby, the birthstone of July, has been said to improve its wearer’s focus and overall level of awareness. These beautiful red gemstones have also been known to help with poor eyesight and circulation problems.
Who can wear ruby gemstones?
People with the Aries, Leo, Scorpio, and Sagittarius zodiac signs usually consider rubies to be auspicious. Cancerians have a medium impact when wearing rubies. However, Pisces, Capricorn, and Virgos should steer clear of this gemstone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ruby is an inert gemstone that can only be found in a few parts of the world. Most Rubies on the market have been enhanced with heat treatment to improve their clarity and color. Natural rubies of high quality are precious.
Although wearing ruby jewelry is popular, it is also used for metaphysical healing properties such as restoring energy levels, invigorating the mind, and protecting against negative thoughts and emotions. If you are interested in purchasing a ruby or incorporating it into your daily life for its healing benefits, do your research to know what type of Ruby would be best suited for you.