After removing your gemstone jewelry, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dirt and other residues. To clean sapphires or rubies you can use either an ultrasonic cleaner, or a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water to clean your jewelry at home. If cleaning by hand, gentle scrubbing with a very soft brush should loosen most dirt and greatly increase the brilliance of the gemstone, but be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting.

Store your gemstone jewelry in a case or a soft cloth, so the gems do not touch each other or parts of other jewelry. Gemstones are harder than gold, silver, or platinum and can scratch the surfaces of your other fine jewelry if they are not kept separate.

Rubies and sapphires are second only to diamond in their ability to resist scratching, but since no gem is invulnerable, avoid abrasive substances and sharp blows, which can damage even the toughest gem.