July Ruby— A Little Goes a Long Way
For us here in the Southern Hemisphere, we have just passed the winter solstice and Matariki, the Māori New Year, a season of reflection and renewal. Meanwhile, those in the north are enjoying the long, generous days of the summer solstice. Wherever you are, July marks the turning of another season.
July is my birthstone month, and after years of avoiding them, I have finally fallen for rubies. Their intensity once felt almost intimidating. Unlike softer gemstones, ruby asks to be noticed. It has a confidence that comes with experience rather than youth. Perhaps that is why I appreciate them now. Worn in small measures, they bring a richness and sophistication unlike any other gemstone.
Ruby is, scientifically, simply the red variety of sapphire. Both belong to the corundum family, sharing the same chemical composition and crystal structure. The distinction comes down to colour. Once the stone carries a true red hue it becomes a ruby, while lighter or more distinctly pink material remains a pink sapphire. There is an old saying in the jewellery trade that if you're selling it, it's a ruby, and if you're buying it, it's a pink sapphire.
The world's most celebrated rubies come from Myanmar (formerly Burma). Their famous pigeon blood colour is among the rarest and most valuable of all gemstones. Seeing one in person is unforgettable. Today, however, many jewellers, myself included, look instead to Mozambique. Its mines produce exceptional rubies with remarkable depth of colour, allowing even the smallest stones to carry that unmistakable flash of vivid red.
Rubies have never been inexpensive, and they are unlikely ever to be. Their durability, rarity and extraordinary colour ensure they remain among the world's most treasured gemstones. They have long symbolised passion, wisdom and achievement, making them a fitting gift for life's defining moments. Whether marking forty years of marriage, a graduation or a personal milestone, even the smallest ruby becomes a daily reminder of how far you have come.
