Diamonds are the Earth’s most concentrated form of pure carbon and the strongest mineral known to humankind. One of the diamonds’ most captivating and sought-after qualities is their brilliance — the ability to sparkle and shine iridescently. While they are not any rarer than rubies, sapphires, or emeralds — the diamond’s unique properties place them a cut above other precious stones.
Diamonds are far from delicate objects, but even the toughest items on the planet need proper care to maintain their sparkle.
How to Store Your Diamonds
When you are not wearing your jewelry, make sure to store them in the box they came in upon purchase, or in a special jewelry case. Invest in quality cases with delicate cloth lining, or those that have separate compartments for different kinds of jewelry. This ensures that your diamonds are not rubbing against other stones and metals, or hitting hard edges of the jewelry box.
If you must store your diamonds in a plain box, it is crucial to wrap each piece in tissue paper or any soft cloth to prevent scratches and other damage.
Factors that Harm Your Diamonds
Who doesn’t want their ring to look as sparkly as possible? To avoid dulling your diamonds’ shine, here are two factors to avoid:
- Never Taking It Off: Everyone loves showing off a big, shiny rock. But wearing your diamond ring, necklace, earrings, or bracelet when working out at the gym, taking showers, or doing rough work like cleaning can add to the dirt and grime that tarnish jewelry. You also increase the chances of hitting your jewelry against hard surfaces, which can chip or scratch the stones.
To maintain your diamonds’ beauty and prevent them from getting damaged, remove each piece of jewelry before doing any rough work. Don’t forget to store them in a safe place and not where you can misplace them like near a window, above the sink, or near your nightstand. The safest bet is to put them back in their respective casing, or in a nice jewelry box.
- Chemicals: Like most items, diamonds are prone to damage when exposed to chemicals. Chlorine, in particular, can harm diamonds and the metals in which they are set. For instance, swimming pools have a high concentration of chlorine. If you go swimming with your diamonds on, it can dull their luster. Another example is acetone, a chemical used to remove nail polish. If you are planning to get your nails done, make sure to remove your diamond ring to protect it from accidental splashes of acetone.
Other chemicals that can harm your diamonds are those that you use to clean bathrooms and wash laundry. Soaps, lotions, oils, tanning products, and sunblock can also leave residues that accumulate over time and create a filmy layer on diamonds, making them lose their sparkle.
Over time, all diamonds eventually get dirty. The question is, how do you clean them and get their beautiful shine back? Here are the many ways to clean your precious stones at home:
- A Cold Bath: Mixing four parts cold water and one part mild dishwashing detergent, leave your diamond jewelry in the solution for a few minutes. Then, pick up the jewelry and clean around the edges using a soft-bristled toothbrush, an eyebrow brush, or a sponge if you want to be more delicate. Rinse the jewelry with cold water and pat it dry with a soft cloth.
- Special Cleaning Liquid: How do you think jewelers magically transform a grimy piece of jewelry back to its original form? They use special cleaning liquids specifically for precious stones and metals. Most of these concoctions are only available in specialty stores or jewelry shops. Make sure you buy the appropriate product for your type of jewelry (some gemstones are more delicate) and read the instructions carefully. The instructions may contain warnings and exceptions, so make sure to note those factors.
- Ultrasonic Cleaning: There are instances when the accumulated grime and dirt surrounding a diamond cannot be removed by cleaning solutions. You may require an ultrasonic cleaning device to clear out stubborn dirt. To clean your jewelry, the machine sends high-frequency sound waves through the mild cleaning solution (of your choice), causing the liquid to vibrate and thoroughly remove traces of grime and dirt from your jewelry.
As a precaution, make sure to invest in the appropriate device and read the instructions carefully. Although these devices generally do not damage the clarity or brilliance of a diamond, they may loosen the stones from its setting instead.
- Mild Ammonia Solution: Don’t let the name scare you. Ammonia solutions are highly effective in cleaning diamond-studded jewelry without causing damage. However, you must proceed with caution. it is crucial not to use ammonia on fracture-filled diamonds and only on natural diamond jewelry. If you are wondering where to find this solution, it may be sitting in your garage or storage room as we speak. Find out if your window cleaning liquid is ammonia based. If it is, mix one part ammonia (make sure it’s mild. If not, do not use this method) and six parts water. Gently scrub the diamond jewelry with a soft-bristled toothbrush to loosen up any adhered dirt.
Take Your Diamonds to a Jeweller
If none of the treatments mentioned restores your diamond’s brilliance, or if you prefer a professional to get the job done — do not hesitate to take your precious stone to a jeweler. In fact, it’s important to bring your diamonds to the shop at least once a year to check if the stones are intact, or if they need special care that only a professional jeweler can provide. Most high-end jewelry brands also offer a yearly opportunity to clean pieces that were purchased from their store.
Are you looking to sell your diamonds?
Get top dollar by selling your loose diamonds or diamond jewelry at Biltmore Loan. Our gemologist can evaluate your pieces at our Scottsdale location, and you can expect an offer afterward. Meanwhile, if you are hesitant about parting ways with your diamond jewelry but want to loan against its value — you can use it as collateral. Get a free market appraisal today.