Can anyone tell me if a lab created ruby ring that has been treated (I'm not sure which treatments) will deteriorate over time? Or will it just not be worth anything (which I actually don't mind) ?

Thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it!

Also can I clean it like a normal ruby (warm water, toothbrush, and mild soap)?

Angel, I must be honest and say that I have never heard of a true lab created ruby that has been treated (other than stars being diffused on lab sapphires/rubies) but perhap some of the lesser expensive means of growing them in a lab involves some treatments, but the quality lab rubies such as BTD and Chatham are not treated.

Inexpensive earthmined rubies, however, are often FULL of treatments, fillings, diffusion, and can be basically glued together, but a true lab grown corundum (ruby or sapphire) isn't treated that I am aware, however I definitely could be wrong.

Please check and see if the ruby is a true lab grown ruby (chemically a ruby, but grown in a lab) or an inexpensive earthmined ruby that has been treated or filled to make it more attractive, as there is a big difference in care (and cost). These treated rubies can be attractive BUT they should not be expensive, in fact they should be really inexpensive and basically have no value (other than some of them are somewhat pretty).

A lab grown ruby like the Chathams and BTD rubies can be cared for like an expensive earthmined ruby and they are one of the more sturdy/wearable gemstones. If it is a filled/composite or diffused ruby, then warm water, a very mild soap and a soft toothbrush will be ok, but no chemicals and nothing with any acid (even lemon) or harsh detergents should be used. AND no ultrasonics or heat.

If you want to see what a nice "true lab grown ruby" looks like, check out the ruby jewelry at a costco or a nice jewelry store that advertises lab rubies. If the one you are looking like has visible inclusions and is somewhat inexpensive, it is probably an earthmined ruby with treatments and then you definitely need to be careful with it's cleaning and care and understand that the treatment may not be permanent.

I have a ruby with "residue" which could mean a variety of things, but it was not much money, it was disclosed exactly what it was, and I am aware that it may not last forever, but $200 is a far cry from $20,000+ and it's quite pretty (I get compliments all of the time) so it was worth it as a "fun stone" for me.

I'll second Casey's post.

If it's treated with oil to fill cracks (as with mined emeralds), a soft toothbrush, mild soap, and water will work just fine for cleaning. That's going to be my go-to method once my BTD emerald is set.