Diamond rings appear bright and gorgeous. We all want to buy diamonds that can always maintain a shiny, bling-bling appearance. Still, you usually need to pay more attention to the maintenance and cleaning of the diamond. In that case, your diamond ring will wear time after time and will be, over time, stained with old dust, daily dirt, and oil accumulation, and the diamond will become dull. Dull colors also make the metal, such as Platinum and gold will, lose their original luster and affect people’s visual effects.
Your jewelry is a financial investment as well as an emotional one. Taking good care of your diamonds, gemstones, pearls, etc., will keep them looking beautiful and around for generations to come.
In addition to taking your diamond to a jewelry store for professional cleaning, there are also ways to take care of it at home to minimize the dullness and wear left by long wear and to ensure that your loved one shines brightly and for a lifetime.
Diamonds are oleophilic
Wearing the diamond process, oil or dirt is easy to be adsorbed on the diamond surface because the wearer’s skin will secrete grease, thus staining the diamond, and because the daily use of lotion, sunscreen, hairspray, perfume, and other chemicals, will make the surface of the diamond adhere to the oil or dust, thus making the diamond lose its luster, dull and shiny. Because grease has a more extensive refractive index than air, it will weaken the diamond’s luster, brightness, and dispersion, affecting its beauty.
Basic care of jewelry
All fine jewelry requires proper care, and while some jewelry involves special cleaning and maintenance methods, most jewelry can be given primary care using the following methods:
- Sunlight
- The ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can damage the skin in the same way that heat and light can damage gemstones. If exposed to sunlight for a long time, it can fade and damage amethyst and citrine and cause pearls to lose their color and protective surface layer. Other gemstones, like opals, can become dull if exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. Keep your jewelry in a dark bag or box to eliminate these damages.
- Chemical substance
- The ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can damage the skin in the same way that heat and light can damage gemstones. If exposed to sunlight for a long time, it can fade, damage amethyst and citrine, and cause pearls to lose their color and protective surface layer. Other gemstones, like opals, can become dull if exposed to sunlight for long periods. Keep your jewelry in a dark bag or box to eliminate these damages.
- Ultrasonic cleaning machinev
- Ultrasonic cleaning machines are very effective for cleaning metals, diamonds, and certain gemstones but are not suitable for use in the following situations:
- Organic gemstones. Such as pearls, coral or ivory.
- A coated gemstone that has been treated with nitrogen. Azo treatment is a colorless coating of stones such as topaz or quartz with different chemicals to create various colors. It is not suitable for cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner. Otherwise, the nitrogen coating will be cleaned off as well.
- Certain gemstones have been heat-treated. Heat treatment refers to exposing a jewel to high temperatures to change its color and clarity. Tanzanite, Iolite, opal, etc., should not be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.
How to take care of gemstones?
- Independent storage
- Although diamonds have a hardness rating of 10, it is essential to note that diamonds can also damage each other and need careful protection. Therefore, when you take off your jewelry, you should avoid placing it in the same jewelry box as other jewelry to prevent it from colliding. The best way is to put them separately, pack them individually and store them neat and orderly.
- Avoid direct contact with chemicals
- Because diamonds have this oleophilic quality, they should be worn daily to avoid direct contact with oils or items containing chemicals, such as lotions, lotions, hairsprays, perfumes, sunscreens, and other toiletries. It is advisable to remove the jewelry before using these chemicals.
- Pay attention to the order of wearing
- Many people are often too busy and need to pay more attention to the order of wearing jewelry. The correct modeling order should be combing and makeup completed before wearing jewelry. And when you return home at the end of the day, you should take off the jewelry first, change your clothes and remove your makeup.
- Prevent collisions and take down in time
- It is advisable to take off your jewelry before performing household chores, sports, strenuous activities, or other physical work. Even if the diamond is strong and hard-wearing, it may cause damage over time, or the setting may become deformed and loose, causing the diamond to fall off. Taking them off before bathing, swimming, or washing dishes is also advisable to avoid the metal losing its luster due to oxidation in water or being covered with dust.
How should I clean my diamonds on a daily basis?
- Cleaning with a toothbrush
A clean, soft toothbrush is the best killer of dirt. The tiny bristles allow the toothbrush to get into hard-to-clean nooks and crannies quickly. Light stains can be scrubbed with water. For solid colors that build up over time, consider diluting toothpaste with water and using it to clean. After cleaning, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth, dry the jewelry, or use a hair dryer with cold air before storing it.
- Cleaning with baking soda
If scrubbing is too much trouble, let the chemical reaction help you clean your jewelry! Both baking soda and effervescent tablets cause a chemical reaction when mixed with water. The bubbles created by this reaction will attack the dirt on your jewelry. To do this, put the jewelry in a small bowl, add water, then add baking soda or effervescent tablets, then soak for a few minutes and take the jewelry out of the bowl, then wipe the excess water with a cleaning cloth, dry it, and store it away. Note: This method is best for cleaning gold and silver jewelry or rings, but please do not use this method to clean pearls or softer gemstones.
- Wash with soapy water
Soap and water are good partners for cleaning because both are common in life. This simple cleaning will not damage your jewelry and quickly fix spots, stains, and dirt. To do this, mix a few drops of liquid detergent with a few cups of water and place your jewelry in the mixture for about a few seconds, then take the jewelry out, dry it with a clean cloth, and wipe the stippled areas a few more times. Allow the jewelry to dry completely, and then store it away. Note: This method is only suitable for cleaning lighter stains. It is insignificant for more severe stains, spots, rust, etc.
- Wash with boiling water
Hot water is an easy and inexpensive way to clean intricate metal jewelry. The steam and heat cause the dust and debris on the jewelry to disperse and fall off, making it easier to wipe. To do this, place the jewelry in a heat-resistant container and slowly pour it into boiling water above the jewelry level. Leave the jewelry for a few minutes or wait until the water cools before removing the jewelry. Wipe off the dirt with a clean cloth and dry the jewelry before storing it. Note: This method does not work on pearls, opals, and many other gemstones but only on silver, gold, platinum, and diamonds.
Things to keep in mind when cleaning:
- Please do not allow the water on the jewelry to evaporate, as this will leave water stains on the stones.
- The back of a gemstone is usually the most prone to the accumulation of grease and dust, so special attention should be paid to this area when cleaning.
- If you are cleaning the sink, be sure to close the drain to prevent jewelry from slipping down the drain.
- When cleaning diamonds, do not use products with abrasive materials (polishing paste, toothpaste with abrasive particles, fine sandpaper, fine sand cloth, etc.), as this may cause damage and lead to damage such as a reduction in the quality of the precious metal.
Finally, remember that some tricks are only effective for certain types of jewelry. For example, soft stones will not stand up to the harsh cleaning methods designed for yellow and white gold. Make sure you know exactly what your jewelry is made of. If you need clarification on anything, it is prudent to have a professional examine your jewelry and provide a cleaning method that is appropriate for your jewelry. If necessary, you can take your jewelry to a skilled cleaning facility.