July birthstone gift ideas
Ruby is the July birthstone: associated with love, energy, passion and power
Long held to be the king of gems, rubies make for suitably majestic jewellery, whether a gift to self or a birthday present for the special crab in your life. 
From left to right: Oscar de la Renta bracelet, £538; Swarovski earrings, £32; Alighieri crab necklace, £195
Rubies are particularly valued by eastern cultures, whose legends claim they contain an eternal flame which can boil any water they are thrown in to.
This fiery quality makes the stone a perfect match for golden settings, such as that of Paolo Villas' Paul Klee inspired ruby ring or E. W. Adam's birthstone flower necklace. 
From left to right: E. W. Adams pendant, £225; Paola Villas ring, £290
Your options aren't limited to fiery red though - Pippa Small uses more-unusual pink rubies in her distinctive 18 karat gold earrings, and Jacquie Aichie draws inspiration from the flower crown for his fantastical gold-set ring. 
From left to right: Pippa Small earrings, £1,500; Jacquie Aiche ring, £4,765
by Isabelle Stuart
