JULY: RUBY is the symbol of love, life, passion, wealth and power. Rubies are said to attract and retain love, remove obstacles and bring victory. To dream of ruby heralds success. A fine ruby assured the owner he would live in harmony with his neighbors. Rubies when worn on the left side were believed to bring good fortune and invulnerability. It would protect his stature in life, his home and land. The ancients believed that rubies possessed an inner flame which burns eternally. Ruby is known as the "Lord of the Gems" because of its rarity and beauty. Derived from the Latin word "ruber", it simply means red.

Ruby, like sapphire, is a variety of corundum and only exists as a true red in color. The finest color is a vivid, almost pure spectral red with a very faint undertone of blue, as seen in Burmese rubies which are considered the finest. Large high quality rubies are extremely rare and can fetch higher prices than diamonds.

As part of the customary fashioning process, virtually all rubies are heated to permanently improve their color and appearance.

The finest rubies emanate from Burma, having been mined there since ancient times.

Other sources include Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan and India.