Diamond
Care and Cleaning
Diamonds must be kept clean and be stored
carefully when they are not being worn, or are
being packed for travel. Because most people
wear their engagement ring 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, it’s essential that you’re always
mindful of its care. Here are some more
guidelines to help keep your diamond in top
condition:
Avoid wearing your diamonds while doing
housework, yard work or any other kind of rough
work. Even though a diamond is extremely
durable, a hard blow could chip it.
If you notice a loose stone setting, stones
moving or any other noticeable damage to your
jewelry, do not wear the jewelry until you have
taken it to a professional jeweler. We recommend
that you have a jeweler check the setting in
your diamond ring (while you watch) once a year.
When you’re not wearing your diamonds, be sure
to store them in a fabric-lined case or in a box
with dividers or separate compartments--diamonds
can scratch other jewelry as well as each other.
When doing household chores, never allow your
jewelry to come into contact with chlorine
bleach
Cleaning Your Diamonds
Diamonds, like anything else, get smudged,
soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps--even
the natural oils from your skin--will create a
film on diamonds, which will reduce their
brilliance. In addition, chemicals in the air
will oxidize or discolor the mountings. Keeping
your jewelry clean will maximize its brilliance.
Here are four ways you can clean your diamonds:
Detergent Bath:
Prepare a small bowl of warm suds using any mild
household liquid detergent (be sure not to use
any cleaners containing chlorine). Brush the
jewelry with a soft brush until you have created
a lather around it. With the jewelry on a
plastic or metal strainer, rinse off with warm
water (be sure not to clean your jewelry over
the drain!) Pat your jewelry dry with a soft,
lint-free cloth.
Cold Water Soak:
Make a solution of 4 parts cold-water and 1 part
very mild dishwashing detergent. Soak the pieces
for several minutes. Lift out and tap gently
around all sides of the mounting with a soft
brush. Rinse the pieces in the solution once
more and drain on tissue paper.
Quick-Dip Method:
Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry
cleaners, choosing the one that is best for the
kind of stones and metals in your jewelry. Read
the label carefully and follow the instructions.
Do not touch your clean diamonds with your
fingers, as the oils from your hands will leave
a film on the stone.
The Ultrasonic Cleaner:
There are many types of these small machines
available to the public today. They will clean
any piece of jewelry that can be soaked in a
liquid within a matter of minutes. These
machines often have a metal cup, which is filled
with water and detergent. When the machine is
turned on, a high-frequency turbulence is
created. Avoid putting emeralds and pearls in
ultrasonic cleaners.
NOTE: Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
instructions and warnings before using these
machines. The above methods are not appropriate
for pearls, opals, lapis, corals and many other
gems. A very quick dip in plain lukewarm water
is suggested for these fragile pieces. |