What Color Is July: Ruby, Larkspur & Water Lily
July features a vibrant color palette from its birthstone and birth flowers: the passionate red Ruby, the blue and purple Larkspur, and the serene Water Lily in white, pink, and yellow.
The Color of July
July is represented by one of the most coveted gemstones in the world - the Ruby. Known for its vibrant red color, the Ruby has been treasured throughout history for its beauty, rarity, and symbolic significance.
The name "Ruby" comes from the Latin word "ruber," meaning red. This magnificent gemstone ranges in color from pinkish-red to deep crimson, with the most valuable specimens displaying a pure, vibrant red with a hint of blue, often described as "pigeon's blood" red.
Let's explore the distinctive color and fascinating properties of July's birthstone, the Ruby.
The Vibrant Red of the Ruby
For centuries, the Ruby has been a symbol of passion, protection, and prosperity. Its rich red color evokes feelings of love, energy, and vitality, making it a perfect representation for the warm summer month of July.
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide), and it gets its red color from the presence of chromium. The intensity of the red color depends on the amount of chromium present - the more chromium, the stronger the red color. The most prized rubies have a pure, vibrant red color with a slight blue undertone, often described as "pigeon's blood" red.
Ruby Facts
- Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum (the same mineral as sapphire).
- With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, Ruby is one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamond.
- The most valuable rubies come from Burma (Myanmar) and are known as "pigeon's blood" rubies for their intense red color.
Ruby Varieties and Sources
While all rubies share the characteristic red color, there are several varieties based on their origin and specific color characteristics. Burmese rubies, particularly those from the Mogok Valley, are considered the finest in the world, known for their "pigeon's blood" color—a pure red with a hint of blue.
Thai rubies typically have a darker, more garnet-like red with brownish undertones, while Mozambique rubies can rival Burmese stones with their rich, slightly purplish-red color. Other significant sources include Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania, each producing rubies with their own unique color characteristics.
More Ruby Facts
- Star rubies display a six-rayed star effect that appears to float across the surface when moved.
- Ruby and sapphire are actually the same mineral (corundum) - ruby is the red variety, while all other colors are sapphires.
- Fine quality ruby is rarer than diamond and can command higher per-carat prices.
The Symbolism of July's Color
The vibrant red of the Ruby carries rich symbolism for those born in July.
Primary Symbolism
- Passion
- Protection
- Prosperity
Additional Symbolism
- Power
- Vitality
- Courage
Connections to July
- The vibrant red of Ruby represents passion and the heat of summer, perfectly aligned with July's position in the calendar.
- Ruby's association with courage and strength reflects the bold, confident energy of summer.
- As one of the four precious gemstones (along with diamond, sapphire, and emerald), Ruby holds a special place in the gemstone hierarchy.
- Ruby's durability makes it perfect for everyday wear, symbolizing enduring love and commitment.
July's Birth Flowers: A Spectrum of Colors
While Ruby represents July with its vibrant red, the month is also associated with two beautiful birth flowers that add to July's color palette: Larkspur and Water Lily.
Larkspur (Delphinium species) displays a stunning range of colors including blue, purple, pink, and white. These tall, stately flowers with their spikes of blossoms add vertical interest and a cool color contrast to July's fiery ruby red. The most iconic larkspur color is a vivid blue, which symbolizes an open heart and positivity.
Water Lily (Nymphaea species) contributes even more colors to July's palette with its elegant floating blooms in white, pink, yellow, and blue. These serene flowers open with the morning sun and close in the evening, symbolizing purity, rebirth, and enlightenment. The classic white water lily represents purity and peace, while pink varieties symbolize joy and yellow ones represent enlightenment.
Together with Ruby's red, July's birth flowers create a rich, diverse color palette that captures the vibrant energy and natural beauty of midsummer.
July's Complete Color Palette
July offers one of the most diverse and vibrant color palettes of any month, combining the rich red of Ruby with the varied hues of its birth flowers.
Ruby Red
The deep, passionate red of July's birthstone symbolizes love, courage, and vitality. This rich color ranges from pinkish-red to deep crimson with purple undertones.
Larkspur Blue & Purple
The cool blues and purples of Larkspur represent open-heartedness, dignity, and grace. These colors provide a beautiful contrast to Ruby's warm red.
Water Lily Pink & White
The soft pinks and pristine whites of Water Lily symbolize purity, peace, and enlightenment, adding a sense of serenity to July's color palette.
This diverse color palette makes July one of the most colorful months of the year, combining warm and cool tones that perfectly capture the vibrant energy of midsummer.
Whether you prefer the passionate red of Ruby, the cool blues and purples of Larkspur, or the serene whites and pinks of Water Lily, July offers a color to suit every preference and personality.
Explore Other Birthstones
Explore Birth Flowers
Discover the beautiful birth flowers associated with each month.
Learn About July's Birth FlowerFree Birthstone Chart
Looking for a quick reference to all birthstones? Download our free printable birthstone chart featuring all 12 months and their corresponding gemstones.
Get Your Free Birthstone ChartFrequently Asked Questions about July's Color
What color represents July?
July is represented by several colors: the vibrant red of Ruby (its birthstone), and the colors of its birth flowers - blue, purple, pink, and white from Larkspur, and white, pink, yellow, and blue from Water Lily.
What is the color of the year July?
While "Color of the Year" is a concept often associated with entities like Pantone, July doesn't have a single designated annual color. Instead, it has a rich palette of traditional colors from its birthstone and birth flowers: Ruby's vibrant red, Larkspur's blues and purples, and Water Lily's whites, pinks, and yellows.
What is the color theme for July?
July's color theme is diverse and vibrant, featuring the passionate red of Ruby, the cool blues and purples of Larkspur, and the serene whites, pinks, and yellows of Water Lily. This rich palette combines warm and cool tones that perfectly capture the energy of midsummer.
What is the color of each month?
Each month has associated birthstones with distinct colors: January (Garnet - red), February (Amethyst - purple), March (Aquamarine - blue-green), April (Diamond - clear), May (Emerald - green), June (Pearl - white, Alexandrite - color-changing), July (Ruby - red), August (Peridot - green), September (Sapphire - blue), October (Opal/Tourmaline - multi-color), November (Topaz/Citrine - yellow/orange), and December (Tanzanite/Turquoise/Zircon - blue/turquoise).
Do birth months have colors?
Yes, birth months are strongly associated with colors through both their traditional birthstones and birth flowers. Each birthstone has a primary color or range of colors, and birth flowers add additional hues to the month's color palette. For July, this includes the red of Ruby, the blues and purples of Larkspur, and the whites, pinks, and yellows of Water Lily.
What color is each season?
Seasonal colors are often symbolic: Spring (pastels, light greens, pinks, yellows), Summer (bright blues, yellows, oranges, vivid greens), Autumn/Fall (earthy browns, oranges, reds, deep yellows), and Winter (cool blues, whites, silvers, deep reds).