How to Clean Ruby Rings

Folklore and romance surround the history of rubies, with stories of protection from poor health and misfortune for those who wore them. Rubies add a beautiful, deep red color to jewelry and remain a popular choice when paired with silver, gold or platinum settings. Hard gemstones such as rubies remain beautiful with a basic cleaning routine. Unlike soft gemstones, rubies withstand commercial jewelry cleaners or home-cleaning methods without damage.

Soap and Water Cleaning Solution

Items needed:

• Small dish


• Mild, dishwashing soap


• Soft bristle toothbrush


• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Fill a small dish half-full with warm, soapy water. Use a mild dishwashing soap to effectively remove built-up oils, oxidation and dirt from the piece of jewelry. Allow the ring to soak in the solution for 30 minutes.


2. Remove from the dish and gently rub the stone and surrounding metal with a soft, bristled toothbrush or jewelry cleaning brush. Focus attention around the prongs that hold the ruby into place and the backside of the stone where it touches your skin. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the metal surrounding the ruby.


3. Rinse the ring in a dish with clean water or under running water. Always plug the drain on the sink to avoid losing stones if they come loose. Dry the piece of jewelry with a soft towel or cloth. Avoid snagging the cloth on the metal mounts and prongs on the setting.


4. Gently rub and buff the ruby and surrounding metal with a polishing cloth to bring back the metal's luster. Repeat cleaning process as needed to maintain the beauty of your ruby jewelry.

Alcohol Cleaning Solution

Items needed:

• Small, covered dish


• Rubbing alcohol


• Soft bristle toothbrush


• Clean cloth

Instructions

1. Remove the ruby ring and place in a small dish filled with rubbing alcohol. Place the lid on the dish and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Excessive dirt and oil buildup may require overnight soaking.


2. Remove from alcohol solution and scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush or jewelry cleaning brush. Gently scrub the top, sides and back of the entire piece. Make sure the area surrounding the prongs and mounts gets cleaned completely.


3. Rinse under warm water or in a dish filled with warm water. Dry with a lint-free cloth. Buff the entire piece with a polishing cloth to restore the gemstone and metal’s shine. Repeat as necessary.

Additional Cleaning Tips

• Use these methods only on ruby and metal pieces. Jewelry that has a mixture of rubies and soft stones such as opals, pearls and peridot require special cleaning to prevent damage to the soft gemstones.


• Jewelry cleaning solution purchased in retail stores is safe to use on ruby gemstones. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper use and optimal results.


• Jewelers can deep-clean and inspect the settings on a piece of jewelry. Consider doing this annually or if you suspect loose stones in the piece of jewelry.