• The month of July that includes the zodiac signs of Cancer and Leo has an assortment of 10 stones listed as birthstones.
• The birthstones marked for July are ruby, sapphire, onyx, sardonyx, and carnelian.
• The zodiac signs add on five more birthstones: emerald, moonstone, pearl, diamond, and tourmaline.

Ruby's rich red color speaks of its richness and makes it one of the highest priced birthstones since ancient times. The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red.

It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals inside metamorphic rock. Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond. It has a value of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby. Rubies range in hue from an orange red to a purple red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color. Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable.

Historically, ruby gemstone has been mined in Thailand, Cambodia and Afghanistan. Later, ruby deposits were also discovered in Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, United States, Montana, North Carolina and South Carolina. For centuries, Myanmar was also considered an excellent source for rubies.

• Ruby was considered to have magical powers and was worn by the rulers for fighting against the evil powers. It was believed to change its color growing darker in the presence of evil powers and return to original color once the evil subsided.
• Ancient tribes used this gemstone as bullets for blowgun.
• It was also believed to possess heating powers. Thus, a gem tossed into the pot could boil up the water.
• An early recorded note of the transport and trading of rubies is found in the literature on the North Silk Road of China, where in about 200 BC rubies were carried along this ancient way moving westward from China.
• In Asian countries, they were used to ornament armor, scabbards, and harnesses of noblemen in India and China.
• It was considered a sacred stone to the Hindu god Krishna and when given as an offering was said to reincarnate the devotee as an emperor.
• Rubies were laid beneath the foundation of buildings to secure good fortune to the structure.
• The Sanskrit word for ruby is 'ratnaraj', which means 'king of the gemstones'. A royal welcome was planned to receive a ruby gemstone when it was found by an emperor in ancient India.
• The crystal was also used as a cure for indigestion in grounded form.

• It is given to commemorate the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
• Ruby radiates warmth and a strong sense of vitality.
• It is believed that the ruby's glow comes from an internal glow which cannot be extinguished and thus it is gifted as a symbol of eternal love.
• It is also known to bring in good luck to its wearer if worn on the left hand.
• It is said to keep your present relationships harmonious as well as attract new friends.
• It is also known for its strength in overcoming destructive and addictive behaviors.
• It helps in diminishing melancholy and depression and is a good treatment for lethargy.
• It is believed to enhance temper and dominant nature and is not suitable for people with these characteristics.
• It is considered good for treatment of blood related problems as well as leukemia.
• It also promotes fertility and is good for all problems related to the sexual organs.
• It works well for skin diseases and strengthens the immune system.
• Ruby is known for its protecting powers and thus not only protects the wearer from all kinds of attacks but also safeguards your house from burglars, etc.

Sapphire is considered as another birthstone for the month of July and is made of the same mineral corundum as ruby. All other colors of this mineral except red and white are known as sapphire. Blue is the most common color but they are found in almost all colors including yellow, pink, white, green, brown, etc. The word sapphire comes from the Persian word 'safir' meaning beloved of Saturn. It is given to commemorate the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries. It is believed to be good for curing mental disorders.