Every month has a birthstone, and July is lucky enough to be the month of the ruby. The ruby is one of the most precious of birthstones. Its rich color and inviting appearance makes it one of the most desirable gems. Owning a beautiful piece of ruby jewelry, though it is not as unique as fine colour diamond jewelry, it is still unique, rare, and special. Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after diamonds of course. The red variety of this mineral, otherwise known as the ruby, is found in a range of colors from the highly desired pigeon-blood-red ruby that resembles a Fancy Red Diamond shade, to an almost pink shade of red that resebles a Purplish Pink Diamond shade. All other colors of corundum other than red and white are known as sapphires. The red color is caused by a small admixture of chromic oxide in the mineral.