The July birthstone is the ruby, a vibrant red gem stone that blazes with the heat of the high summer and commands focus when placed into one of these July band eternity rings. The ruby birth stone is actually a unique kind of sapphire, as they form from the same minerals; ruby is just the special name for gem stones in the sapphire class that form with a distinctive bright scarlet color. These July birth stones are said to have defensive qualities, & to inspire enduring love and romance.