Meaning: The Ruby's rich red color represents love, passion and fire. Some have said that the July birthstone gets its color from an everlasting eternal fire, which cannot be extinguished

Healing properties of Ruby: Ruby brings love, confidence, loyalty, and courage. It instills stamina, vitality and strength. A good stone for removing blocked energies in the reproductive system. It re-energizes one after exhaustion. Good for balancing the blood's sugar. Helps to reduce negative thought patterns.

Sources of Ruby: India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States. Rubies are found in ancient literature. In Exodus (Ex. 28:17) the breastplate of the high priest held twelve precious stones, one of which was a sadius, the ancient word for ruby.

Interesting Facts: Ruby is second only to diamond in terms of hardness and durability.

Called the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems by the ancient Hindus in India, Ruby is one of the most treasured gems throughout history. Considered to have magical powers due to the stones deep red color and glow, rubies were worn by nobility as a way to ward off, and warn of, approaching evil. Some thought it was a drop of the heart blood of Mother Earth.

It was said to be able to cause a pot of water to boil if thrown in. Healers have used rubies to cure various ailments, such as indigestion. It represents love and carries the red ray. Some say that it allows one to overcome fear.