Take Care of Diamond Jewelry

Although diamond is considered to be one of the hardest known natural materials, when it is set in a ring, necklace or somewhere else, it can be quite vulnerable to cracking, breakage, or spoiling. If you are not careful when wearing or cleaning diamond jewelry, you can damage the diamond. This article provides some advice on taking care of the diamond jewelry on a daily basis, as well as explaining how to gently clean such jewelry now and then.

Steps

Caring for a diamond during daily activities

  1. Remove all diamond jewelry before performing any heavy-duty tasks. Taking off the jewelry will prevent mishaps such as knocking it, spilling cleaning chemicals on it, or causing any other physical damage. Tasks that should be done without wearing jewelry include: Gardening, working in the kitchen, cleaning the house, doing outdoor jobs and any heavy lifting work.
  2. Apply your makeup before putting on your diamond jewelry. Lotions, perfumes, hairspray and cosmetics contain chemicals that can damage diamond jewelry. Only put the diamond items on after you have done with using these products.
  3. Remove your diamond jewelry before you take a shower. Soap can form a layer of film on diamonds, which can quickly dull their radiance and appearance. Removing your diamond pieces before hitting the shower is an excellent way to prevent unscheduled servicing.
  4. Remove your diamond ornaments before you take a swim. Whether you're a professional or an amateur swimmer, you should always ensure that chlorinated water does not interact with the metals and stones in your jewelry. To avoid any potential for structural damage, remove all of your diamond pieces before you enter a pool. It's best to leave them at home too, so that you don't have to worry about losing your valuables.
  5. Remove diamond jewelry when playing contact sports. Any kind of hard blow can risk damaging your jewelry while playing contact sports. The chance that your diamond loosening up from its setting is high when you're pursuing hard-core sporting activities, so it is a good idea to leave your diamond rings, pendants and earrings at home before a game.

Cleaning diamond jewelry

  1. Handle properly when cleaning your diamond jewelry. When cleaning, try not to touch the stone with your fingers; handle the diamond ring or necklace by the edges.
  2. Clean the diamond. Use a soft brush, soap and water. If you don't already have a special brush for cleaning jewelry, you can use a (soft, old) toothbrush, an eyebrow or even a lipstick brush; these are soft, small and make a good substitute. Make sure that any brush you use is clean and does not have makeup on it.
  3. Before you start cleaning, make a mix of warm water and a mild detergent. Place the diamond jewelry in the bowl filled with the mixture. Always use a mild cleanser to clean your diamond; jewelry stores use a diluted ammonia to clean with. The easiest way for you to replicate this at home is by using Windex and mix it with hot water. The heat in the water will loosen up any oils on the stone.
    • Just be careful that any cleaning fluid you use doesn't react with any metals the diamond is embedded in. Some cleaning fluids can discolor the metal if you're not careful. Platinum, gold and rhodium jewelry tend to be the most resistant to cleaning fluids than other precious or semi-precious metals.
  4. Soak the diamond jewelry for a few minutes. Then scrub with a brush. Make sure to get under the stone too, as this is where the dirt and oils will gather.
  5. Rinse. To rinse diamond jewelry, use a fine-mesh strainer.
  6. After cleaning, use a clean cloth to dry the jewelry.
    • While the diamond itself will not usually be scratched by paper towels or tissues, any other embellishments on the jewelry piece may be, so it makes good sense to stick to using a soft cloth, preferably a jewelry polishing cloth, for the whole piece.

Providing ongoing care for diamond jewelry

  1. Take all of your diamond jewelry to a professional jeweler once a year. Diamond jewelry needs to be checked by a professional jeweler at least once a year. He or she will look through the prongs and mountings. These are the items that hold your stone in place. When checked regularly, you can feel more confident that the diamond is firmly in its settings still and isn't going to spring out unnoticed and disappear.
  2. Store with care. If you're not wearing your diamond jewelry for any length of time, store it in a jewelry box, keeping it apart from other jewelry. It is vital that every piece of jewelry has its own place, to prevent your diamond or its settings from being scratched, and to prevent it from damaging other jewelry pieces.
    • Store in a secure container with a fabric lining and cotton pads. This will help to minimize movement or hitting the sides of the storage container.
    • Another way to store your diamond jewelry is in boxes with compartments or in separate zipper pouches.



Tips

  • There are ultrasonic cleansers available. These use a high frequency to clean diamond jewelry. Either ask your jeweler to use this device on their premises, or you could consider looking into purchasing your own. If you do buy one, read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly.
  • Inspect your diamond jewelry regularly, to avoid damage.
  • Always read the cleaning instructions accompanying your diamond jewelry. It may recommend specific cleaning liquids, which will ensure the best and safest clean for your particular item. Also read the precautions, if any.

Warnings

  • If you like the color of your diamond then make sure that there will not be any contacts with household cleansers like, for example, bleach. These cleaners can not only change the color of your diamond but the color of the settings and mountings that hold it as well.
  • Your natural skin oil can negatively impact diamonds. The oils cause grime build-up, reducing the luster of diamonds. Hence, the need for cleaning now and then.
  • If you notice a crack in your piece or a loose diamond, avoid cleaning the jewelry by yourself. Instead, set it aside for repair and contact a professional as soon as possible.
  • Due to everyday movement diamonds on jewelry get smudged and soiled. Even if you do not wear diamond jewelry, it still gains dust.

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