Diamonds Are Forever: How to Care for Yours so It Lasts

A diamond is the hardest thing on earth, but it is not indestructible. You will still need to care for it in order to keep its brilliance.

The natural oils from your skin, as well as the skincare products you’ve been using can get to the diamond’s surface and dull its brilliance. Here’s what you can do to maintain its shine.  

Gentle cleaning

Keep your diamond engagement ring looking beautiful by soaking it in a mixture of water and dish soap once or every other week. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently scrub the remaining dirt and hard-to-reach areas. Rinse well with water and dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Harsh cleansers like bleach, ammonia, and even toothpaste can erode the metals and discolor the jewelry, and should never be used for cleaning. 

At-home ultrasonic cleansers may be great at removing deep-seated grime, but proceed with caution when using this equipment. You may accidentally dislodge loose stones from their prongs or cause diamonds set next to each other to scratch. If your diamond jewelry is also set with softer gemstones, these could get damaged during the ultrasonic cleaning process. 

Another way to clean is with a jewelry steam cleaner, which makes use of high pressure steam to blast away the grime from dirty wedding rings for women. Princess cut diamonds, however, cannot be cleaned in a steam cleaner because the steam may loosen up the stone, and its four pointed corners have a tendency to snag. 

A better alternative is to mix three parts baking soda to one part water, then use this paste to clean the jewelry. When scrubbing, do not scrub too vigorously or put too much pressure on the ring. Your diamond may be strong, but the same could not be said for the other parts of your jewelry.

Metal setting 

Aside from the diamond, you also need to think about the metal setting. Yellow gold and platinum metal needs to be polished or buffed to remove scratches, while white gold may require rhodium plating to restore its color. Just bring these to your local jeweler to have these done. 

Storage 

Due to its hardness, your diamond jewelry should not be stored next to other pieces to prevent scratches.  If possible, always store your diamond in the box it came in. You can also use individual soft cloth pouches or a fabric-lined jewelry box with individual compartments.  

Regular inspection

If you’re dealing with a vintage or heirloom piece, watch out for signs of wear and tear, loose prongs, or fragile settings. Bring it to a professional jeweler right away if you notice signs of damage.

And even if your jewelry was bought recently, it’s still a good idea to have it examined at least once a year by a professional jeweler. Getting your diamond jewelry cleaned should be part of your regular routine, just like having your car serviced or going to the dentist. 

It’s best to have your jewelry cleaned by the store you bought it from, but if this is not possible, Zadok Jewelers offers top-notch jewelry cleaning service in Houston. Our mission is to take customer service to the highest level, and to offer a luxury concierge service, which includes jewelry cleaning.

Removing and putting on the ring 

Don’t forget to remove your diamond engagement ring before doing activities that heavily involve the use of hands such as gardening, lifting weights, or swimming. When removing your ring, pick it up by its band, and not by the stone or setting.

Your moisturizer, sunscreen, perfume, or hairspray can leave a lot of dirt and oil on your jewelry, and may even tarnish the prongs, clasps, and bands that hold the diamond in place. So always apply these products first before putting on your diamond ring or tennis bracelet, and wipe them right away if you see any substantial product buildup.

It’s also a good idea to have a ring dish near your kitchen sink so you can remove your ring before washing your hands or dishes to prevent it from slipping down the drain. Also keep ring dishes throughout your home so that you’ll know exactly where to put the ring after you take it off.

A diamond jewelry is a thing of beauty and a joy forever, but only if you take good care of it. By following these tips, your diamond jewelry will look just as good as the day you bought them.