As protective as we may be of our precious diamonds, not all of us make that extra effort to take care of them in the right manner. Do you feel your diamonds have lost their original sparkle? It's probably time to give them a good cleaning. While diamonds are one of the world's hardest natural materials, it doesn't mean that they are indestructible. Besides monitoring the stones for any scratches or chipping marks, it's important to keep a check whether they are holding tight or loose on the mount.
Regular cleaning is essential to keep your diamond jewellery looking sparkly new, but do not rush to the jeweller every now and then for polishing. Also, avoid using the old formula of cleaning your jewellery with baking soda or toothpaste as commonly advised. They tend to remove tiny amounts of metal every time, eventually causing damage ad depletion of your precious jewellery, especially the prongs of the gemstones and diamonds while increasing the chances of them falling off.
Here are important tips to keep in mind to take care of diamond jewellery:
Keep your diamond jewellery in a padded box
Diamonds can get scratched in rough containers or if you keep them with other sharp jewellery pieces. It's important to keep each piece separated in its own padded box (preferably plastic) to help protect it over time. Keep away from metal boxes.
Avoid storing in too dry or too humid places
If your jewellery piece is studded with opals and pearls along with diamonds, do not store it in a very dry and dark place for too long, as doing so may discolour the gems. Even humidity is not good for diamond jewellery as it will cause it to tarnish. If you live in a humid place, extra care should be taken with regular cleaning.
Scrub the diamond with a soft toothbrush
Always clean your diamond jewellery with a soft toothbrush. Place the jewellery in a cleaning solution or use gentle liquid soap (those used for washing woollens or even hand soaps with no moisturiser or harsh chemicals) and gently scrub all around the diamond. Wash with warm water using a gentle liquid soap.
Make your own cleaning solution
You can also dip the diamond jewellery into a solution made of equal amounts of water and ammonia for about 30 minutes. Rinse well, and then dry the pieces by placing them on a soft cotton cloth. Dry your jewellery completely before using or storing them.
Before you go for a shower, take off your diamond ring
The chlorine present in water is not at all good for the stone. So, remove each piece of jewellery, including your wedding ring, before you take a bath.
Avoid exposure to chemicals
Put on your diamond jewellery after applying perfume and hairspray, as these substances can cause discolouration over time.
Keep away from sweat
Avoid wearing jewellery while exercising or during other activities that cause sweating. Sweat discolours certain kind of jewellery, especially artificial pearls. The discolouration occurs when the sodium from perspiration dries on the jewellery. Over time, this sodium build-up causes dullness of metal surfaces.
Take your diamond jewellery to a professional jeweller twice a year
Diamond jewellery needs to be checked by a professional jeweller regularly. They will look at the prongs to make sure they are in good shape. If something is damaged, the jeweller can repair it before something breaks and you lose a diamond.
Follow these tips to take care of your precious diamond jewellery and keep their shine on.
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