What You Need To Know About Caring For Your Diamond Jewelry

Although diamonds last forever, they still require careful maintenance to preserve their dazzling sparkle. Despite their resilient reputation as one of the world’s hardest materials, diamonds can still chip around their edges and may be vulnerable to damage from heat and chemicals. Without proper care, diamonds can fall out of their settings as well. Keep your diamond jewelry looking just as radiant and flawless as the day you first opened that gift box with our helpful suggestions below.

As Challenging As It May Be, Try To Resist Touching Your Diamonds Too Much

Oils from your fingers can transfer onto your diamonds, causing a dull film to develop on the gems, reducing their shimmer. When putting on or removing your diamond engagement ring, grab the band instead of the diamond, to minimize skin contact. 

Regular Diamond Jewelry Cleanings Are Essential

A diamond’s luster is reliant on how light passes through it, and oil, dirt, and sweat can greatly diminish its sheen. Cleaning your diamond jewelry is a simple process; warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush are all that you need. The toothbrush you choose should be new and used solely for your diamond jewelry cleaning. The GIA recommends cleaning your diamond jewelry once or twice a week with mild dish soap. Start by soaking your jewelry in warm soapy water for a few minutes; use a soft-bristled toothbrush to give it an ultra-gentle scrub and rinse thoroughly. Remember to also clean the back of your diamond where dirt, oil, and sweat can easily accumulate. When cleaning your jewelry over a sink, don’t forget to close the drain! When you’re finished with your cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently pat it dry. Finish it off with a polishing cloth to achieve that next-level sparkle. During the cleaning, be extra cautious about not putting too much pressure on the gem; although it's extremely difficult to break an actual diamond, its settings aren't nearly as tough and can be susceptible to damage. Taking your engagement ring and other diamond jewelry to get steamed cleaned or ultrasonically cleaned by a professional jeweler is also an excellent option.

Sometimes Your Diamond Jewelry Could Use A Little Time Off

Much like you, your diamond jewelry could also use a vacation from time to time. When you hit the beach, be sure to go sans diamonds! Salt and sunscreen can leave a dulling residue on diamonds, and sand can easily get caught in your jewelry. Although sand will not damage your diamond, it can scratch the precious metal surrounding it. If you’re wearing a diamond ring, cool water can cause your fingers to temporarily shrink a bit, increasing the risk of losing your precious ring. Diamond earrings, necklaces, and bracelets can easily come off while in the water as well. The same caution should be taken before going for a dip in a pool since the harsh chemicals used in chlorine pools can diminish your diamond jewelry’s gleam. Furthermore, jewelry made with 10-carat, 14-carat, and 18-carat gold contains alloy metals such as nickel, zinc, copper, and silver, and these metals are prone to corrosion when exposed to chlorine. If you forget to remove your diamond jewelry before swimming, fear not; a professional cleaning should restore its original sparkle in no time.

Can I Cook, Clean, Exercise, Shower, and Primp With My Diamond Jewelry On?

Leave your diamond rings and bracelets off while cleaning, especially if you’re using bleach, ammonia, or chlorine, all of which can diminish your diamond’s sparkle and can even alter the stone’s color. Wearing diamond jewelry while cleaning also increases the chance of your diamonds banging against hard surfaces, causing potential damage to the diamond’s setting. If you would prefer to not remove your jewelry, try wearing protective gloves instead. The same goes for cooking, especially while wearing your diamond engagement ring. Bacteria and germs can easily permeate your ring’s setting, and there’s always an increased risk of ring slippage when rinsing anything over the sink. As for showering, it’s also best to put your diamond jewelry aside, since soaps and shampoos will dull your diamond’s sheen, and exfoliating cleansers can cause scratches on your diamond’s precious metal setting. After showering, continue to leave your diamond jewelry off while using hairspray, lotion, fragrances, etc. Cosmetic products can produce a grimy buildup and may temporarily discolor your diamonds, causing them to lose their coveted gleam. Similarly, vigorous workouts, gardening, etc. are also best done without wearing your diamond jewelry. You may want to consider buying a ring dish or jewelry tray to keep your valuables in a safe spot when they need to be removed. If you must remove your diamond jewelry away from home, make sure you have a secure and easy-to-remember place to store your valuable pieces.

Will Hand Sanitizer Damage My Diamond Ring?

Naturally, this is a question that has crossed the minds of many in recent years, and the answer, unfortunately, is yes. Frequent use of hand sanitizer can lessen the brilliance of diamonds and precious metals over time and can loosen a ring’s setting prongs that hold diamonds in place. However, there is a practical way to keep your hands germ-free while keeping your jewelry protected. Try to avoid rubbing hand sanitizer directly onto your diamond ring, if possible. The best way to protect your ring is to simply remove it before applying hand sanitizer and wait for it to dry before putting it back on.

Correct Diamond Jewelry Storage Is Imperative

If diamonds get damaged, it's nearly impossible to restore their original luster. With that said, proper storage of your valuable diamond jewelry is of utmost importance. If diamonds rub against each other, scratches can form, and they can also scratch and damage any other jewelry they come into contact with. To avoid this from occurring, store each jewelry piece individually, spaced far enough apart to prevent them from rubbing against each other. Buying a fabric-lined jewelry case makes for a good investment, to protect the integrity of your diamond jewelry. Wrapping each piece of jewelry in soft tissue or cloth is equally effective.

Make An Annual Maintenance Appointment With Your Jeweler

Have your jeweler inspect your diamond engagement ring and your other diamond jewelry at a minimum of once a year. This annual visit will help ensure that the setting prongs on your jewelry are tight enough, to make sure the diamonds remain securely in place. Your jeweler can also make sure that there are no hairline cracks in your diamonds, and they can shine your diamond jewelry with an ultrasonic cleaner to amplify its brilliance.

Get Your Diamond Jewelry Insured

Protect your diamond jewelry the same way you would protect any other valuable investment. Diamonds can be included in your homeowner’s insurance or as an individual policy. After getting your valuable jewelry insured, commit to getting your jewelry reappraised approximately once every five years. If your jewelry appreciates, which is more than likely, your jewelry insurance will cover the increased value.