Ruby

Blood-red. Fire-red. Color the burns along the veins, and gives brightness of the night. If you're looking for the color of life itself, look no further than red. And the gemstone that brings red to life can have only one name. Ruby.

The "king of gems," Ruby is one of the world's oldest and most revered gemstones. It is also one of the rarest. The mineral chromium is responsible for the gem's startling color. Rubies with hardly any inclusions are so rare that large stones of good color fetch higher prices at auction than even diamonds. The 23.1 carat Carmen Lucia ruby is one of the greatest treasures of the Smithsonian, although Elizabeth Taylor's 8.24 carat ring may carry more glamour.

Ruby is the gem for those born in July as well as those born under the sign of Aries. It's also a stunning option for the celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary.