Bold, sparkling and beautiful, the ruby is one of the most captivating and popular gemstones available today. So we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to elevate your look with the help of this vibrant red jewel. But should you wear it every day?
Let’s find out…
The most important question, are rubies durable?
It’s a known fact that the more durable a gem is, the more suitable it is for everyday wear. In the early 1800s, Friedrich Mohs – German geologist and mineralogist, devised a scale that we use even today to measure a gemstone’s hardness, i.e., its resistance to getting scratched. He assigned each gem a rating from 1 (highly malleable) to 10 (extremely tough).
Ruby, a member of the corundum family, scores a whopping 9 out of 10. So when it comes to toughness, they are preceded only by diamonds that score a full 10 on the Mohs scale.
So can you wear them every day?
Yes, rubies are strong enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. What’s more? They also possess no gemstone cleavage, which means that they will not break easily when struck hard. Depending upon your preference, you can easily flaunt this romantic gem every day in the form of an engagement ring or even a pendant, earring or bracelet. What’s more, today, the demand for beautiful ruby men’s and women’s wedding rings is also increasing.
However, you should know that all-natural rubies tend to have inclusions. Some stones, therefore, are fracture-filled with lead glass to improve their overall clarity. While this doesn’t impact the stone’s durability, rough usage can certainly cause harm to this jewel.
Care & Maintenance
If you wish to keep your ruby jewellery looking brand new for years to come, then keep these easy care and maintenance tips in mind.
- Know How to Clean – Generally, both DIY methods and ultrasonic cleaners are considered safe for the ruby. However, if your gem is fracture or cavity-filled, or even dyed, it’s recommended that you only use mild soap water solution and rub them carefully with a lint-free cloth.
- Keep it Aside – Everyday household substances, like lemon juice and vinegar, can alter the lead glass content in the case of treated gems. Similarly, contact with boric acid powder will etch the surface of even untreated stones. So as a standard hygiene practise, we recommend taking off your ruby jewellery while performing household tasks or strenuous activities. Additionally, do your best to keep them away from perfumes, lotions and makeup items, as they might have chemicals that can harm the gem.
- Store Separately – Granted that rubies are extremely hard and as such won’t get scratched easily. But if you store them with other jewels they might end up scratching softer gems. To avoid this, we recommend keeping your pieces separately in a soft cloth pouch or a velvet-lined box. To avoid this, we recommend keeping your ruby studs earrings and other pieces separately in a soft cloth pouch or a velvet-lined box.
- Visit a Professional – If you wish to wear your ruby jewellery on a regular basis, then we recommend you get the piece cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Over time, ruby rings especially become susceptible to harm as the prongs get thin and worn out. Besides restoring its lustre, they can also help fix loose settings keeping your rubies intact.
Now, this was all about natural rubies. But, lab-grown rubies are also gaining massive popularity in the market. So, this leads us to the question, can you wear a lab-grown ruby every day?
The answer is a big yes! You can wear a lab-grown ruby every day. Lab-grown rubies have the same physical, optical and chemical properties as natural rubies, making them durable and suitable for daily wear. However, like any piece of jewellery, it’s essential to take care of it properly to maintain its beauty and longevity. Follow the tips mentioned above to keep your lab-grown ruby jewellery looking its best.
Planning to pop the question with a lab-grown ruby engagement ring? Don’t forget to cheque out our gorgeous collection of lab-grown engagement rings.
Also Read: Can Morganite Be Worn Every Day?
