Sapphires and rubies are among the most durable and prized gemstones in fine jewelry, second only to diamonds in hardness. As members of the corundum family, these gemstones share similar care requirements while offering exceptional durability for everyday wear. This comprehensive guide provides expert-approved methods for cleaning, storing, and maintaining your sapphire and ruby jewelry to preserve their brilliance for generations.
Drawing on recommendations from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), and Deeve's five-generation expertise in fine jewelry, this guide offers science-based care instructions for corundum gemstones.
Understanding Sapphires and Rubies
What Makes Corundum Special
Sapphires and rubies are both varieties of the mineral corundum, differing only in color. Understanding their exceptional properties helps you appreciate their durability and care requirements.
Key Characteristics:
- Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale (second only to diamonds at 10)
- Durability: Excellent toughness and resistance to scratching
- Chemical Composition: Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)
- Color Range: Rubies are red corundum; sapphires are all other colors (blue, pink, yellow, green, etc.)
- Treatments: Most are heat-treated to enhance color and clarity
Why Sapphires and Rubies Are Ideal for Daily Wear
Unlike delicate gemstones like emeralds, pearls, or turquoise, sapphires and rubies can withstand daily wear and more aggressive cleaning methods.
- Resistant to scratching from most materials
- Can tolerate ultrasonic and steam cleaning (with exceptions)
- Stable in normal wear conditions
- Suitable for engagement rings and everyday jewelry
- Minimal special care requirements
Since sapphires and rubies are typically set in 14K or 18K gold settings, it's important to care for both the gemstone and the metal. Learn more in our Complete Guide to Caring for Fine Jewelry.
Daily Care and Wear Practices
When to Remove Sapphire and Ruby Jewelry
While sapphires and rubies are durable, certain activities still warrant removal:
- Heavy manual work: Gardening, construction, moving furniture
- Contact sports: Risk of impact damage to settings
- Swimming in chlorinated pools: Chlorine can damage gold settings
- Applying harsh chemicals: Household cleaners, bleach
- Working with abrasive materials: Sandpaper, concrete, metal files
Safe for Wearing During
Unlike delicate gemstones, sapphires and rubies can be worn during:
- Showering (though not ideal for gold settings)
- Light exercise and yoga
- Swimming in natural water (ocean, lakes)
- Cooking and food preparation
- Office work and computer use
- Most daily activities
Cleaning Your Sapphire and Ruby Jewelry
At-Home Cleaning Method
What You'll Need:
- Warm water
- Mild dish soap
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Lint-free cloth
- Small bowl
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process:
- Prepare solution: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap in a small bowl
- Soak jewelry: Place sapphire or ruby jewelry in solution for 20-30 minutes
- Brush gently: Use soft toothbrush to clean around settings, prongs, and stone backs where dirt accumulates
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse under warm running water (close drain or use strainer)
- Dry completely: Pat dry with lint-free cloth and allow to air dry
- Inspect: Check for loose stones or damaged prongs while cleaning
Cleaning Frequency:
- Daily wear pieces: Every 1-2 weeks
- Occasional wear: Before and after wearing
- Engagement rings: Weekly for optimal brilliance
Professional Cleaning Methods
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Sapphires and rubies are generally safe for ultrasonic cleaning, making them easier to maintain than delicate gemstones. Learn more in our professional jewelry maintenance guide.
Safe for ultrasonic cleaning:
- Natural, untreated sapphires and rubies
- Heat-treated sapphires and rubies (most common)
- Stones with minimal inclusions
- Securely set stones
NOT safe for ultrasonic cleaning:
- Fracture-filled or clarity-enhanced stones
- Heavily included stones with visible fractures
- Diffusion-treated sapphires
- Stones with loose settings
- Composite or doublet stones
How it works: High-frequency sound waves create microscopic bubbles that dislodge dirt and oils from hard-to-reach areas around settings and stone backs.
Steam Cleaning
Generally safe for:
- Natural and heat-treated sapphires and rubies
- Stones without fractures or inclusions
- Securely set stones
Avoid steam cleaning for:
- Fracture-filled stones
- Heavily included stones
- Diffusion-treated sapphires
- Stones with loose settings
What to Avoid
Harmful substances and methods:
- Hydrofluoric acid: Can etch and damage corundum
- Borax: Can cause surface damage at high temperatures
- Abrasive cleaners: Unnecessary and can scratch gold settings
- Ultrasonic cleaning for treated stones: Can worsen fractures or remove treatments
Understanding Sapphire and Ruby Treatments
Heat Treatment (Most Common)
Approximately 95% of sapphires and rubies are heat-treated to enhance color and clarity. This is a stable, permanent treatment that doesn't affect care requirements.
Care considerations:
- Heat-treated stones are stable and durable
- Safe for all standard cleaning methods
- No special care required
- Treatment is permanent and won't fade
Fracture Filling and Clarity Enhancement
Some rubies (especially) are fracture-filled with glass or resin to improve clarity.
Care considerations:
- Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning
- Avoid sudden temperature changes
- Use only gentle soap and water cleaning
- Fillings can be damaged by heat or chemicals
- Professional cleaning only by experienced jewelers
Diffusion Treatment
Surface diffusion adds color to sapphires by introducing elements into the surface layer.
Care considerations:
- Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaning
- Never have stone re-polished (removes color layer)
- Gentle cleaning only
- Professional care by jewelers experienced with treated stones
How to Know Your Stone's Treatment
- Check original purchase documentation
- Request gemological certificate (GIA, AGS, etc.)
- Ask your jeweler about treatment history
- When in doubt, use gentle cleaning methods only
Proper Storage for Sapphires and Rubies
Storage Best Practices
Individual storage:
- Store each piece separately to prevent scratching softer gemstones and metals
- Use soft cloth pouches or fabric-lined compartments
- Keep sapphires and rubies away from softer stones (emeralds, pearls, opals)
- Separate from diamonds (the only stone harder than corundum)
Environmental Considerations
- Temperature: Stable room temperature (avoid extreme heat or cold)
- Humidity: Moderate humidity is fine (corundum is not porous)
- Light exposure: Minimal impact, but avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Security: Store valuable pieces in safe or secure location
Professional Maintenance
Recommended Professional Services
Annual inspection should include:
- Prong and setting security check
- Stone examination for chips or damage
- Professional cleaning (ultrasonic or steam if appropriate)
- Setting tightening if needed
- Overall structural assessment
Understanding why jewelry repairability matters for long-term value helps you appreciate regular professional maintenance.
When to Seek Immediate Professional Attention
- Loose or rattling stones
- Visible chips or cracks in stone
- Bent or damaged prongs
- Significant color change (may indicate treatment damage)
- Settings that feel loose or move
Special Considerations by Jewelry Type
Sapphire and Ruby Engagement Rings
Sapphires and rubies are excellent choices for engagement rings due to their durability.
Care recommendations:
- Professional inspection every 6 months
- Weekly at-home cleaning for optimal brilliance
- Prong check with every professional cleaning
- Remove during heavy manual work
- Annual professional cleaning and polishing
Sapphire and Ruby Earrings
- Minimal wear and tear
- Clean monthly or as needed
- Check posts and backs for security
- Professional inspection annually
Sapphire and Ruby Necklaces and Bracelets
- Check clasps and links regularly
- Clean every 2-4 weeks for daily wear
- Professional inspection annually
- Ensure secure settings for all stones
Color-Specific Care Considerations
Blue Sapphires
- Most common and durable variety
- Heat treatment is standard and stable
- Safe for all standard cleaning methods (if not fracture-filled)
- Color is stable and won't fade with normal wear
Rubies
- More likely to be fracture-filled than sapphires
- Check treatment status before aggressive cleaning
- Heat-treated rubies are stable and durable
- Avoid sudden temperature changes if fracture-filled
Fancy Color Sapphires (Pink, Yellow, Green, etc.)
- Same care as blue sapphires
- Heat treatment is common and stable
- Some colors (padparadscha) are rarer and more valuable
- Follow same cleaning and care guidelines
Star Sapphires and Star Rubies
These stones display asterism (star effect) due to needle-like inclusions.
Special care:
- Avoid ultrasonic cleaning (can damage inclusions creating star)
- Gentle soap and water cleaning only
- Avoid sudden temperature changes
- Professional cleaning by experienced jewelers only
Comparing Sapphire/Ruby Care to Other Gemstones
More Durable Than
- Emeralds (7.5-8 hardness, brittle)
- Pearls (2.5-4.5 hardness, porous)
- Turquoise (5-6 hardness, porous)
- Opals, tanzanite, aquamarine
Similar Durability To
- Diamonds (10 hardness) - only slightly harder
- Lab-grown diamonds (10 hardness)
Care Advantages
- Can tolerate ultrasonic and steam cleaning (unlike emeralds)
- Not porous (unlike pearls and turquoise)
- Resistant to chemicals and acids
- Suitable for daily wear without special precautions
- Lower maintenance than most colored gemstones
Signs of Damage or Wear
What to Watch For
- Surface scratches: Rare but possible from diamond contact
- Chips or fractures: Usually from impact, especially on edges and corners
- Loose settings: Prongs wear over time
- Dull appearance: Usually just needs cleaning
- Color changes: May indicate treatment damage (rare)
Can Sapphires and Rubies Be Repaired?
Minor chips: Can sometimes be re-polished, though this reduces stone size
Fractures: Cannot be repaired; stone may need replacement
Loose settings: Easily repaired by professional jeweler
Prevention is key: Regular inspections catch issues before they become serious
Travel Care for Sapphire and Ruby Jewelry
Sapphires and rubies are excellent travel companions due to their durability.
Travel tips:
- Use padded jewelry travel case with compartments
- Wrap each piece in soft cloth
- Carry valuable pieces in carry-on luggage
- Bring soft cloth for quick cleaning
- Less worry about damage compared to delicate gemstones
- Still remove before swimming in chlorinated pools
Insurance and Documentation
Protect your investment:
- Obtain professional appraisals for valuable pieces
- Request gemological certificates (GIA, AGS) for significant stones
- Document treatment information
- Photograph pieces from multiple angles
- Keep all purchase receipts and certificates
- Consider jewelry insurance for valuable pieces
- Update appraisals every 2-3 years
Sapphire and Ruby Quality Factors
The 4Cs for Colored Gemstones
While traditionally associated with diamonds, the 4Cs apply to sapphires and rubies too:
Color: Most important factor. Vivid, saturated colors are most valuable.
Clarity: Eye-clean stones preferred, but some inclusions acceptable in rubies.
Cut: Affects brilliance and color display. Well-cut stones show better color.
Carat: Larger stones are rarer and more valuable per carat.
Related Care Resources
Explore our comprehensive jewelry care guides:
- Complete Guide to Caring for Gold and Diamond Jewelry
- Professional Jewelry Maintenance: When to See a Jeweler
- How to Care for White Gold vs Yellow Gold vs Rose Gold
- How to Clean and Care for Pearls
- How to Clean and Care for Emeralds
- How to Clean and Care for Turquoise
Learn More About Fine Jewelry
- Gold Education Hub - Learn about gold settings for your sapphires and rubies
- Diamond Education Hub - Compare corundum to diamond durability
- What Makes Gold Jewelry Heirloom Quality?
- Why Jewelry Repairability Matters
Conclusion
Sapphires and rubies are among the most durable and low-maintenance gemstones in fine jewelry. Their exceptional hardness (9 on the Mohs scale) and stability make them ideal for daily wear, including engagement rings and everyday pieces. With simple soap and water cleaning, regular professional inspections, and awareness of any treatments, your sapphire and ruby jewelry will maintain its brilliance and beauty for generations.
Unlike delicate gemstones that require extensive special care, sapphires and rubies offer the perfect combination of beauty, durability, and ease of maintenance. Their ability to withstand ultrasonic and steam cleaning (when not fracture-filled) makes professional care straightforward and effective.
At Deeve, we appreciate the exceptional qualities of sapphires and rubies and offer expert care services including professional cleaning, setting inspection, and maintenance to ensure your corundum gemstones remain secure and brilliant.
Remember: While sapphires and rubies are durable, they still benefit from regular care and professional maintenance. Know your stone's treatment status, clean regularly, and schedule annual inspections to protect your investment and enjoy your jewelry for a lifetime.