Frequently asked questions

• Is ruby usually treated, and what should I look for?

  The large majority of ruby on the bead market is heat-treated to improve color and clarity — this is a stable, industry-standard treatment that doesn't require special care. Unheated material exists but is less common in calibrated bead cuts. The treatment categories you'll see noted are typically Heated, Unheated, or in lower-cost goods, lead-glass-filled or fracture-filled. Treatment should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified, because filled material handles very differently from heated or natural ruby in cleaning and at the bench.
• What's the difference between ruby, garnet, and red spinel as beads?

  Ruby is corundum (aluminum oxide) colored by chromium, Mohs 9. Red garnet is a silicate family (almandine, pyrope, rhodolite), Mohs 7–7.5, and typically shows a slightly browner or purplish-red. Red spinel is magnesium aluminate, Mohs 8, and historically was confused with ruby for centuries — many famous "rubies" in crown jewels are spinels. In bead form, ruby tends toward a pinkish to slightly purplish red with chromium fluorescence, while garnet runs darker and more saturated. If a strand is priced like garnet, it usually is garnet — confirm the mineral name.
• Can I use ruby beads in rings and bracelets that take daily wear?

  Yes. At Mohs 9, ruby is second only to diamond in hardness and is one of the most wear-tolerant stones in the bead catalog. It handles ring, bracelet, and cuff applications well, including pieces that see regular knocks. The caveat is treatment: heated and unheated ruby tolerate ultrasonic and steam cleaning, but lead-glass-filled and fracture-filled material can be damaged by heat, ultrasonic vibration, and even household chemicals. For high-wear pieces, confirm the treatment before specifying ruby in a daily-wear design.
• How should I clean finished pieces with ruby beads?

  For heated or unheated ruby, warm water with mild soap and a soft brush is sufficient, and ultrasonic or steam cleaning is generally safe for the stone itself — though stringing materials (silk, nylon, leather) won't tolerate ultrasonic. Avoid these methods entirely if the ruby is lead-glass-filled or fracture-filled: the filler can etch, cloud, or leach with heat, acid, or ultrasonic agitation. When the treatment isn't confirmed, default to mild soap and water, pat dry, and store separately so the hardness of ruby doesn't scratch softer beads in the same piece.
• What scale of ruby bead works best for which projects?

  Ruby is most commonly stocked in small calibrated rounds, faceted rounds, microfaceted rounds, and rondelles — typically 2mm to 8mm. The small sizes (2–4mm) work well as accent spacers, in multi-strand designs, and paired with diamond or gold findings where ruby reads as a precise color note rather than the main event. 6–8mm rounds and rondelles carry as a feature bead in earrings, pendants, and shorter necklaces. Faceted cuts pick up more light and read brighter; smooth rounds read deeper and more saturated.