Our jewelry goes through so much everyday, whether it’s sweat, hairspray, perfume, sunscreen or body lotion. All gems are susceptible to a little wear and tear now and then but you can never be too careful when it comes to how to clean rubies.

As lustrous as rubies are unfortunately like all other gems, their natural beauty can appear to diminish over time, due to many factors including friction causing scratches, a build-up of dirt, or even makeup of the gem itself.

For all you jewelry owners,  gem-set jewelry is a substantial financial and emotional investment. Luckily, we’ve got just the tips on how to clean a ruby with a little bit of cleaning and care.  

Ruby Care: The Importance Of Mohs Scale

Next time you want to know the ‘scratchability’ of your gem, just check the order it’s placed in according to the Mohs, placing Talc at 1 and Diamond at 10. The concept is simple, each mineral will scratch the ones below it and be scratched by those above it. So only a diamond has the ability to cause the same damage to a ruby.

But here’s the thing: gems with the same hardness won't scratch each other.

10 - Diamond

9 - Corundum (Ruby and Sapphire)

8 - Topaz

7 - Quartz

6 - Orthoclase

5 - Apatite

4 - Fluorite

3 - Calcite

2 - Gypsum

1 - Talc

To avoid this you clean your ruby jewelry with the help of a lint-free microfibre cloth, and make sure to use the softest brush on your gemstones.

Note: Stones with a hardness of less than 7, equivalent to quartz, are considered relatively soft and require careful handling. Examples include opal, peridot, and tanzanite, all of which are popular gemstones. 

Care Tips for Ruby Jewelry

Rubies are called “precious” for a reason. It’s all about proper ruby care and maintenance to keep them dazzling. Stick to these easy guidelines, and you'll be able to safeguard your precious rubies, keeping them looking as stunning as ever for generations: 

• Avoid Exposure to Chemicals: Next time you decide to do an extra strenuous activity, it’s best to leave your trinkets behind. Stuff like household cleaners, perfumes, and cosmetics can be rough on your ruby gemstones. So, make sure you take off any jewelry with rubies before letting them come in contact with those harsh chemicals. Better safe than sorry, right? 

• Protect from Abrasions: Even though rubies are tough, they're not invincible. They can still get scratched up, especially if they rub against something harder. To keep those precious gems looking their best, it's smart to store your ruby jewelry separately from other pieces. That way, you can avoid any unnecessary friction and scratches. 

• Clean with Mild Solutions: To keep your natural ruby stones shining bright, give them a gentle cleaning with some warm water mixed with a mild detergent. Grab a soft-bristled brush to get rid of any dirt or gunk stuck in the nooks and crannies of the gem. And remember, steer clear of any harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that could do more harm than good. 

• Regular Inspections: Don't forget to give your ruby jewelry a once-over every now and then for any signs of wear and tear. Keep an eye out for loose settings or prongs—they can be troublemakers and might mess with the gem's integrity. If you spot anything fishy, it's best to have a chat with a jeweler pronto to nip any potential issues in the bud. 

• Store Properly: When you're not donning your ruby jewelry, give it a cozy spot in a soft pouch or a lined jewelry box. That'll keep it safe from dust, moisture, and too much light, which can be a bit harsh on those vibrant gemstone colors.
  
  
• Professional Maintenance: If you want to give your ruby jewelry the royal treatment, consider seeking out a reputable jeweler for some professional cleaning and maintenance. They have the know-how and fancy equipment to give your gems a thorough clean and inspection, ensuring they stay in shape for years to come. 

How to Clean a Ruby at Home

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean ruby jewelry safely and effectively:

1.  Prepare Cleaning Solution: Make a gentle cleaning solution using some warm water and a mild detergent or soap. Steer clear of any heavy-duty stuff or abrasive cleaners that could mess with the surface of your ruby. 
   
   
2. Soak the Ruby: Drop your ruby jewelry into the cleaning solution and let it soak for a few minutes. This helps loosen up any dirt or debris clinging to the gemstone.
   
   
3. Gently Clean with a Soft Brush: Once it's had a nice soak, grab a soft-bristled brush—like a toothbrush or a jewelry brush—and give your ruby gemstone a gentle scrub. Pay extra attention to spots where dirt and oils tend to hang out, like around the setting or underneath the gemstone.
   
   
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Once you've given your ruby a good scrub, rinse it off thoroughly under lukewarm running water. This will help wash away any lingering soap residue or debris. Make sure you get rid of all traces of the cleaning solution to avoid any buildup.
   
   
5. Dry with a Soft Cloth: Once you've rinsed off your ruby jewelry, give it a gentle pat dry with a clean, soft lint-free cloth. Steer clear of tissues or paper towels—they can leave behind pesky lint and fibers.
   
   
6. Buff for Shine: To really make your ruby shine, give it a gentle buff with a jewelry polishing cloth. This little trick will bring back its natural sparkle and brilliance, leaving it looking absolutely radiant. Your ruby will thank you for the extra TLC! 

Getting Your Ruby Cleaned Professionally

Ultrasonic Cleaning

Ultrasonic devices are like magic wands for cleaning gemstones and jewelry. They use high-frequency sound waves to create bubbles in the cleaning liquid, which then burst and whisk away dirt and grime. It's super effective, but if your gem has been treated in any way, it's best to skip this method altogether.

Steam Cleaning

In steam cleaning, the combination of high temperature and pressure works wonders at banishing dirt from jewelry, especially oils and grease. But temperature plays a big role in jewelry care, so steam cleaning comes with its fair share of risks and is best left to goldsmiths and jewelry shops after examining your gemstone.

 One major concern is thermal shock—when a gemstone's temperature changes too quickly, it can crack. This risk is often due to inclusions within the gem, especially if there are tiny pockets of moisture trapped inside.

Conclusion

Natural rubies are renowned for their timeless beauty and significance, but they need some TLC to keep that charm alive for future generations. Knowing how to clean a ruby is key to preserving its brilliance. 

 Stick to these guidelines, and your ruby pieces will keep captivating with their deep red radiance. Just remember to store them safely, clean them gently, and shield them from harsh chemicals and rough activities.

 Check out Al Joher’s Ruby Rings to add some stunning pieces to your collection.

FAQs

Can I wear a ruby ring daily?

Yes, you absolutely can! Ruby’s are tough gems and you can rock a ruby ring every day. As a member of the corundum family, Rubies generally score an incredible 9/10 on the Moh Scale making them resilient enough to withstand typical wear and tear. But if you do decide to wear it on a daily basis, have it cleaned professionally atleast once a year and make sure to check the settings isn’t loosened overtime.

How do you take care of rubies?

The safest route is to treat it with warm soapy water. Otherwise you can always take it to a professional for ultrasonic and steam cleaners, however it is important to note that these methods are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. For fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed ruby material, stick to a simple cleaning method: use a damp cloth.

Can you shower with ruby jewelry?

You can, but keep a regular check to make sure the stones are not loose and the mountings look secure. Steer clear of wearing your jewelry during household chores, gardening, sports, or activities around water sources like showering or doing dishes. These environments can put your precious pieces at risk. Instead, opt for appropriate cleaning methods and materials to keep them looking their best.

Are rubies safe to wear everyday?

That’s right, rubies can be worn daily as they are strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. Interestingly they also don’t have a gemstone cleavage, which renders them the ability to stay intact when struck hard.