Birthstones by month
Birthstones · Updated 2026-10-25
July Birthstone and Birth Flower: Meaning and Gift Ideas
The July birthstone is ruby, the red gem of love and passion that India once called the king of precious stones. July's birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily. Ruby is the only stone the American Gem Society lists for July, and its color comes from chromium.
Save July birthday ideas in Prezynt
What does the July birthstone, ruby, mean?
Ruby's name comes from the Latin ruber, meaning red, the color of love and passion. It is a variety of corundum that gets its color from trace amounts of chromium; the more chromium, the stronger the red, and the finest color is a deep red with a hint of purple the trade calls pigeon's blood.
In ancient India, ruby was called the king of precious stones for its rarity, hardness (second only to diamond), beauty and seemingly mystical powers. Burmese warriors believed it made them invincible, and medieval Europeans thought it bestowed health, wisdom, wealth and success in love.
Ruby is also the traditional gem for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Because rubies are often heat treated, GIA advises asking whether yours has been treated and by what method before you buy.
What is the July birth flower?
The July birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily. Larkspur represents an open heart and strong attachment, and water lily speaks of purity and quiet majesty.
Larkspur is a cool-season annual that blooms in July in full sun when sown in fall or earliest spring, and its tall spires make a bold bouquet. Water lilies are grown in ponds, so a water lily print or a photo is a lovely gift for a July birthday.
What are the best birthday gifts for someone born in July?
July birthdays often fall in vacation season, when the person may be traveling. A gift that fits in a bag, such as jewelry, a good book or a travel pouch, is more useful than something bulky.
Ask Mira in Prezynt who the gift is for, the occasion and their interests, and she suggests 3 to 5 ideas, a quick way to find a July present that fits their taste.
What are the July birthstone facts?
Stone lists from the American Gem Society, meanings from GIA, and birth flowers from the Farmers' Almanac.
| Detail | July |
|---|
| Birthstone | Ruby |
| Older or alternate choice | None listed; the main stone is the traditional pick |
| Color | Vivid red |
| What it stands for | Ruby is the color of love and passion, once called the king of precious stones in India. |
| Birth flowers | Larkspur and Water Lily |
| Flower meaning | Larkspur represents an open heart; water lily speaks of purity. |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | Second only to diamond among gems |
| Wedding anniversary | Ruby is the gem for the 15th and 40th anniversaries |
| Where it comes from | Myanmar's Mogok area is among the oldest recorded sources; Vietnam and Mozambique are important too |
Gift picks
Prezynt may earn a commission when you buy a gift through the app. It never changes what we recommend.
Ruby gifts
14k Diamond & Ruby Birthstone Earrings
$182.57 · My Gift Stop
14k gold earrings that pair a diamond and a ruby, made for July birthdays. A mid-priced pair in the month's birthstone with a bit of sparkle added, and a gift that gets worn.
See it in Prezynt
Ruby Birthstone Necklace
$34.99 · All Cotton and Linen
A ruby birthstone necklace at a very friendly price. July's stone, in a small pendant she can wear daily, and a gentle gift that works for a birthday or a thank-you.
See it in Prezynt
Personalized Birthstone Keychain July Birthday Gifts Engraved Keychain
$15.95
A personalized July birthstone keychain, engraved. It costs very little, it sits on her keys daily, and the ruby red color keeps the month close. A small gift for anyone whose birthday is in July.
See it in Prezynt
14k White Gold 4mm Ruby Stud Earrings
$194.35 · My Gift Stop
Ruby stud earrings in 14k white gold with 4mm stones, a classic July birthstone gift. Studs are an everyday piece, and the deep red adds a bit of color to every outfit.
See it in Prezynt
Red Ruby Earrings 18K Gold-Plated Brass
$22.99 · All Cotton and Linen
Red ruby earrings in 18k gold-plated brass, at a very low price. A fun, bright July birthday gift, or a small extra to pair with a card and a bigger present.
See it in Prezynt
Birthday gifts for someone born in July
Scented Candle La Vie En Rouge
$108.12 · Rigaud
A La Vie En Rouge scented candle from Rigaud, a splurge-level red candle for a July birthday. The red echoes ruby, July's birthstone, and the scent fills a room for many evenings.
See it in Prezynt
Red French Linen Tea Towels - Set of 2
$25.99 · All Cotton and Linen
A set of two red French linen tea towels, in a ruby red for July. A small, useful birthday gift for a cook, and the linen gets softer after every wash.
See it in Prezynt
Red Tote Bag
$19.52 · EltaMD
A red tote bag at a very low price, in a ruby red for July. It is a useful birthday gift for market runs and beach days, and it is easy to wrap with a card.
See it in Prezynt
ANYDECO Flower Vase Rosy Red Large Nordic Style Pot Room Home Decor
$68.90 · Anycostore
A large rosy red Nordic-style flower vase, a decor piece in ruby red for a July birthday. It looks good with larkspur or any summer bouquet, and it is a fair-priced gift.
See it in Prezynt
Frequently asked
What is the July birthstone?
The July birthstone is ruby, a red variety of corundum. The American Gem Society and Jewelers of America both list it as the only stone for July.
What color is a ruby?
Ruby ranges from red to purplish red, and the most valued color is a deep red with a hint of purple that gem dealers call pigeon's blood.
What are the July birth flowers?
The July birth flowers are the larkspur and the water lily. Larkspur represents an open heart and strong attachment, and water lily speaks of purity.
How can I tell if a ruby has been treated?
Ask the seller, since disclosure is expected. Heat treatment is common and accepted, while glass-filled or dyed rubies need extra care, and a lab report can confirm a stone's details.
What is a good gift for someone with a July birthday?
A ruby pendant or earrings are the classic pick. For a summer birthday without jewelry, try a bouquet of larkspur, a travel pouch or a red keepsake dish.