Blood Ruby — Jan Alexander

Ruby Of Everlasting Death It was a Burma ruby.

According to legend, it had the magic power to grant anything the heart desired. But it was cursed, and all who owned the stone would die tragically, damned for eternity.

When Joseph Hanson inherited the gem after his uncle's bizarre murder, his wife Lisa grew afraid. Though his fortune increased, he became surly and brutal. It was as if his humanness were being sucked from him, as if the stone were growing redder by feeding on his blood. And suddenly Lisa knew there was only one way to stave off the curse of centuries -- she had to sacrifice her own soul to save the man she loved from the ruby of death…

RUBY -- THE JULY BIRTHSTONE -- Dark, deep red, imbues bearer with courage…or cruelty.