How to clean and care for ruby gemstones and jewelry
Rubies, partly because of their fiery, luminescent color, are one of the most elegant gemstones all over the world. However, they are quite expensive, so if you want to keep your ruby jewelry’s luster and value, you should provide it with proper care. You should know that the stone is relatively durable. It is a 9 or even 10 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes ruby one of the hardest stones – it is only rivaled by diamond and moissanite. It’s a good choice to wear every day but still, there are some important rules to follow while taking care of your treasure. How to clean, wear and care for your ruby jewelry then?
How to clean your ruby jewelry?
Keeping your ruby jewelry clean is quite simple, it only requires some regular, yet easy actions. You don’t even need any sophisticated equipment. The best cleaner for your ruby jewelry is just water with a little bit of soap. You can also add a bit of dishwashing liquid – this will make your jewelry even shinier. Put your silver or gold jewelry with ruby into a bowl filled with warm water and soap (and dishwashing liquid, optionally)and let it sit there for around fifteen minutes to loosen the dirt and oils. Then, rub the stone carefully with a soft cloth.
Some people also use a toothbrush but make sure it’s very soft before you use it. Otherwise, you might scratch your treasure. You should use a soft brush to clean corners of the gemstone settings – such places are perfect for grime to accumulate. After you scrub your ruby jewelry with a cloth, rinse it with water and dry with a soft cloth. You should clean your ruby jewelry at least once a month. From time to time, you can also have it polished and cleaned by a professional jeweler.
Is ultrasonic cleaning safe for your ruby jewelry?
In most cases, yes. You can use an ultrasonic cleaner (or steam cleaner) to clean your ruby jewelry. However, before you decide to use professional equipment, check your jewelry first. If the stones are fracture-filled or covered with a coating (e.g. a color-enhancing one), cleaning them with a cleaner might be dangerous. However, most ruby jewelry sets can be cleaned that way. It helps maintain the shine of the stones and successfully removes accumulated dirt and oil. Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners’ prices usually start at $50. The more expensive ones (over $200) can also include steamers.
What else to remember if you want to maintain your ruby jewelry properly?
Very often women wear their rubies while cooking and cleaning. It’s a common, yet a very harmful mistake. Rubies are part of the corundum family. They are quite solid, however, even a mild acid can damage the surface of the stone. Even lemon juice can cause a disaster! Same with boric acid. The last thing is storage – the way you store your ruby jewelry affects its sparkle. You shouldn’t store it in a plastic bag / container. The best option is a fabric-lined box with compartments. This will prevent rubies from rubbing against other jewelry.
