Most colored gemstones — sapphire and ruby especially, thanks to their hardness — are fairly low-maintenance, but a few habits will keep them looking new for a lifetime rather than just a few years.
For routine cleaning, warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap and a soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works well) is usually all you need. Gently brush around the setting, where dust and skin oils tend to accumulate, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for stones with visible inclusions or fractures, since the vibration can occasionally worsen existing internal flaws — this matters less for eye-clean sapphires and rubies but is worth checking with a jeweler if you're unsure about a specific piece. Steam cleaning carries similar caution for heavily included or treated stones.
Chemicals are the more common everyday risk. Chlorine, strong household cleaners, and even some perfumes and lotions can dull a stone's surface or, over time, affect the metal in its setting. A simple habit — put jewelry on last when getting dressed, take it off first when cleaning the house or swimming — avoids most of this without any real effort.
Storage matters too. Store gemstone pieces separately from each other, ideally in a soft pouch or a lined compartment, since even stones as hard as sapphire and ruby can scratch softer gems or metal settings if they're left rattling around loose in a drawer.
