Birthstone
Pink tourmaline is a popular alternate for the month of October.
Ruby is the birthstone for July.
Origins
Some of the finest rubies in the world are mined in Myanmar. Other important sources include Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam.
Treatments
Ruby is routinely heat treated to improve its appearance. Heat enhanced rubies are extremely stable. Some rubies may have a glasslike residue left in surface-reaching fissures after they are heated. This glasslike material is not stable, and care should be exercised during the cleaning process.
Care
Rubies are both a hard and durable and can be cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning machine, any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and water using a soft brush. Rubies with a glasslike residue in surface-reaching fractures should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam machine. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning.
Photo: Robert Weldon, Copyright Professional Jeweler Magazine
Editors Note: This article is © 2002-2014 Jewelers of America Inc.