It is believed that rubies can bring dignity and authority to the wearer, and with such a visually enticing stone, who wouldn’t want to own a vibrant red ruby? Whether you own a ruby ring, bracelet, or necklace, it makes sense to want to showcase it to everyone! Can rubies be worn daily?
On the Mohs scale, rubies have a hardness of 9, which means they are durable and scratch-resistant. A ruby can be worn daily when it’s cared for correctly and removed for certain tasks. When cleaned and stored correctly, a ruby is a piece of jewelry whose beauty could last a lifetime or even longer.
When you plan on wearing a precious gemstone daily, you will need to keep a few things in mind, especially when it comes to a beautiful ruby. Stay with us as we walk you through everything you need to remember when wearing your ruby jewelry daily.
Are Rubies Durable Enough For Everyday Wear?
To fully understand whether or not a specific gemstone is durable enough to withstand daily wear, it is recommended to look at the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale is a well-known scale of how hardy gemstones and minerals are, ranging from 1, which is the softest, to 10, the hardest.
This is the simplest way to categorize a mineral or gemstone’s ability to scratch another. Rubies are extremely durable, as they have a hardness of 9. This means they are resistant to scratching, and diamonds are any other known precious stone capable of scratching a ruby.
This means that rubies are more than strong and durable enough to experience and withstand everyday life.
Another good thing about rubies is that they have no gemstone cleavage. Gemstone cleavage refers to how easily a stone will break or crack when they are bumped severely. Since rubies have no gemstone cleavage, they can be flaunted daily in the form of a bracelet, earring, pendant, or even engagement or wedding ring!
However, it would be good to note that all types of natural rubies tend to have inclusions. Therefore, some rubies could be full of fractures and topped with lead glass in order to improve their clarity.
While this won’t impact a ruby’s durability in any way, rougher usage and circumstances could cause them harm.
How Should You Treat A Ruby That Is Worn Daily?
If you’re going to wear your rubies daily, it will help to know how they should be treated.
Take a look at these maintenance and care tips below to keep your ruby jewelry looking new for years to come:
Check Your Rubies Daily To Ensure They Remain Secure
Always check your rubies daily to ensure the mountings remain secure and the stones aren’t loose. If you notice something along these lines, it would be better to hold off on wearing the particular piece and wait until you can take it to a professional for an opinion or evaluation.
Practice Caution While Wearing Rubies
Although rubies are durable enough to be worn daily, you should still practice caution. It’s not recommended to wear any jewelry, especially something as high-end as a ruby while playing sports, gardening, washing dishes, cooking, or cleaning. Only wear your ruby jewelry after showering and getting ready for the day.
A good rule would be to put your jewelry on last before leaving the house. This will lessen the chances of your rubies coming into contact with perfumes, creams, or lotions.
Remember that although rubies are part of the corundum family, which means they are stable and resistant to heat and light, some things could still damage their surface. A mild acid such as lemon juice could cause harm to their surface.
Additionally, the damage could become even more severe when it comes to rubies with cavitied, dyed surfaces or fractures. Similarly, some types of acids, such as boric acid, could damage some treated and untreated rubies.
Store Your Rubies Sperate From Other Jewelry
Although rubies are hard gemstones and won’t easily become scratched, you need to be extremely careful when you’re storing them along with other jewelry.
Rubies can scratch softer gems, so it is encouraged to keep your ruby pieces separate. Keeping them in a velvet-lined box or a cloth pouch would be best.
Additionally, if you have diamond jewelry, the diamonds might end up scratching your rubies. Either way, keeping your precious ruby jewelry in a safe space away from your other gems would be better!
Know How To Clean Your Rubies
Usually, many DIY methods would be suitable and safe for cleaning your rubies. If you wear your ruby every day, especially while doing tasks, dirt, dust, or oils from your skin could accumulate on the surface, making it appear dull and faded.
Therefore, cleaning your ruby jewelry every week is encouraged to keep it shining as new, and it’s not difficult! You won’t need expensive equipment to maintain and clean your ruby. All you need is some warm water, a bowl, mild and fragrance-free soap, and a soft-bristled brush.
Mixing the warm water and soap, you can use your brush to clean the ruby, making sure to get into all the crevices. Pay close attention to the inner sides of the jewelry, as it’s the part that most often comes into contact with your skin.
Refrain from using toothpaste or any abrasive cleaners, as the prongs could become worn out, thin, or brittle. Some cleaners may be suitable or beneficial for other types of gemstones, but rubies require gentle cleaning.
Visit A Professional Yearly To Maintain Your Rubies
If you’re wearing your rubies daily, the most important part of keeping the piece suitable for a lifetime would be to visit a professional at least once every year.
Over time, your ruby will become susceptible to wear and tear, or even harm, as the prongs become thinner and worn out. A professional can restore its luster, but they could also help fix any loose settings, ensuring your ruby remains intact.
Conclusion
Rubies are one of the best gemstones for everyday wear, and they can withstand a lifetime of wear and tear, but only when worn with some degree of caution. Follow the proper care and maintenance tips to ensure your ruby remains useable and as beautiful as the first day you purchased it!
