Sapphire and ruby (both varieties of corundum) have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, so they withstand daily wear almost as well as diamond, but still require a few simple habits: avoiding harsh chemicals, being careful with impacts, and regular at-home cleaning. The biggest threat to both stones is not abrasion, but a sudden impact, which, at an unfavorable angle, can cause a fracture despite their high hardness.
Why a hardness of 9 doesn't mean indestructible
Hardness on the Mohs scale only indicates scratch resistance, not resistance to impacts or pressure. Sapphire and ruby, despite a hardness of 9, can fracture from a strong, unfavorably directed impact, for example, against a countertop edge or metal equipment at the gym, similar to what can happen with a diamond of hardness 10. It's worth remembering this distinction, because it's easy to confuse "hard" with "indestructible," and these two words describe completely different things: one speaks of resistance to scratches from daily use, the other of something that no natural stone truly guarantees.
Cleaning at home
The simplest method is to soak it for a few minutes in lukewarm water with mild dish soap, then gently brush around the setting with a soft brush. Both sapphire and ruby tolerate this treatment well, unlike more sensitive stones such as emerald or opal, which require greater caution. This is one of those home rituals worth embracing: a few minutes at the sink, in quiet, to restore the stone to the same brilliance it had the day it first graced your finger.
What to avoid
It's advisable to remove your ring before contact with harsh chemicals (bleach, acetone), before intense gym workouts, and before physical labor where the risk of the setting hitting a hard surface is greatest. Neither sapphire nor ruby are afraid of water, chlorine from the pool, or regular cosmetics, so in this regard, they can be worn without major concerns, making them one of the more forgiving choices among colored stones, ideal for someone who doesn't want to think daily about whether their ring is safe.
When to have your ring inspected
Once a year or two, it's worth taking your sapphire or ruby ring for inspection so that a jeweler can check if the prongs holding the stone haven't loosened. This is a small ritual, but one that provides peace of mind for another twelve months of wear, knowing that someone who knows their craft has confirmed that everything is as it should be. At BELLER, such an inspection, cleaning, and polishing are part of the lifetime service included with every purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sapphire and Ruby Care
Does sapphire fade in the sun?
No, unlike some other colored stones, natural sapphire is resistant to fading from sunlight.
Can ruby be worn daily?
Yes, with a hardness of 9, ruby tolerates daily wear well, provided strong impacts and extreme chemicals are avoided, just like with sapphire.
Can sapphire and ruby be cleaned with diamonds using the same method?
Yes, at-home cleaning with water, dish soap, and a soft brush is safe for diamonds, sapphires, and rubies simultaneously, as long as the ring does not additionally contain more sensitive stones such as opal or pearl.
Can sapphire change color over time?
Natural sapphire retains its color for decades with normal use. An eventual change in hue is extremely rare and usually results from prior heat treatment of the stone, not from wear itself.
What to do if the stone becomes loose?
It's worth taking the ring to a jeweler as soon as possible before the stone falls out of its setting. At BELLER, such a repair is part of the lifetime service included with every purchase.
Good care is essentially a way to ensure that a stone, meant to symbolize something for a lifetime, truly lasts a lifetime in full brilliance. See our B.One collection with precious stones or read more about BELLER jewelry service. Related posts: how to care for gold rings and how to care for a diamond ring daily.