Care and Cleaning Tips for Diamonds

May 2, 2010 by Seller
Filed under Diamond Tips

Diamonds, like other precious gemstones, should be cleaned regularly in order to preserve their luster, and charm, and enhance their lifespan. Even so, cleaning diamond jewelry should be done very sparingly to prevent damages to your precious stone. This is because diamonds are very delicate and can get damaged easily in the process of cleaning if proper care is not observed.

Basically, diamonds get dirty due to continuous wearing as they come in contact with oily skin. Dirt piles up on the surface of these precious gems and unless they are cleaned regularly, it will only be a matter of time before they lose their charm and luster. The good news is that you can learn a few tips here and there that will help restore the beautiful looks of your diamond jewelry.

One common readily available home solution that can help in the maintenance of your diamond jewelry is the non-abrasive cleaning agent known as ammonia wash – the kind of cleaner that is commonly used at home to clean windows. Another less harsh chemical solution to use in cleaning diamond jewelry is mixing a part of vinegar in two parts cold water. Simply dip all your diamond jewelry in the solution and using a cotton swab, wipe gently in circular motions until they shine. Finally you should rinse your diamond jewelry in warm water and using a lint free cloth, wipe and part the jewelry until dry completely.

Be advised that potent ammonia based solutions and chemicals such as chlorine can harm your diamond jewelry and generally nearly all other precious metals, and will further cause premature erosion of their charm. If you have diamond gemstones which are part of a set of a jewelry piece, you should be aware that they need special care and attention and are not like plain diamonds. You should clean them with utmost caution so that you don’t end up loosening the gem from its delicate post that safely secures it into its place.

Cleaning such a delicate piece of jewelry can be done by mixing a solution of 1:2 mild dishwashing soap and warm water respectively. Take a cotton swab, soak it in the solution and in small circular motions, clean the whole piece of jewelry until sparkling clean. Take extra care around prongs so that your gem stays intact and doesn’t loosen. After which you should rinse your jewelry thoroughly using cool water and pat dry lightly using a lint free piece of cloth.

At times though, you might discover that your diamond jewelry has a huge build up of grime and dirt due to poor storage or poor cleaning. To restore such a piece of jewelry, you might want to consider buying a professional jewelry cleaning solution, which you can get at many jewelry outlets today. Such a cleaning solution, known as an ultra sonic cleaning kit can help remove all accumulated dirt and grime easily. Ultra sonic cleaning is the process of using specially prepared cleaning solutions combined with high frequency sound waves.

While personal cleaning of diamond jewelry is very wise and practical and is highly recommended in most cases, heirloom jewelry ought to be restored by a professional jeweler who is not only bonded but also insured. Professionals will be able to clearly identify all alloys within your jewelry that your heirloom gem is set in. They are qualified and highly skilled in their work hence their first and foremost priority lies in taking extra care in restoring, preserving, and maintaining the value of your most treasured investment.