July

June's birth stone is Ruby. July birthstones are made from aluminum oxide, just like sapphires. Next to the diamond, these birth stones are the hardest mineral known to man. They are usually found in areas that are rich in clay limestone. Pure corundum is colorless, but just add a few atoms of chromium and look, a ruby!

Rubies are pliochromatic which means they appear to be different colors when viewed from different directions. Some of these birthstones have a red fluorescence about them. These particular rubies are called pigeon's blood.

Like sapphires, these birthstones are frequently enhanced to an even brighter color by heating.