Cleaning and Protecting your Diamond

Diamonds are perfect for everyday wear as engagement and wedding rings however they are not indestructible and should be worn with care.

Although diamonds are highly durable and resistant to scratching (except by another diamond), they can be chipped by a direct hard knock and may also become loose in their setting and even fall out!

Because diamonds have an affinity to grease and oils, they can become dirty when touched . To make sure your diamond keeps it sparkle we suggest the following cleaning methods below.

• Professional Cleaning

Having a professional opinion is the best option. Their input might help you know the condition of your diamond or diamond jewellery.

• Handle your Diamond sparingly

Diamonds are natural magnets for grease; they're not easy to keep clean. Touching a diamond with your fingers provides enough oils from your skin (the type of "grease" that mostly affects diamonds) to alter the way your diamond looks. So less direct touching means your diamond remains clean and sparkling.

• Mild liquid detergent

Soak your jewellery in a small bowl of warm, soapy water made with any mild liquid detergent. Gently brush the diamond jewellery with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds. Then, rinse each piece under warm running water. Pat it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Make sure to always keep the plug in your sink.

• Household Ammonia

To keep your diamond jewellery always looking beautiful soak the diamond in an ammonia-based household cleaner (such as window cleaner) overnight, once or twice weekly. In the morning, remove the diamond from the cleaner and brush it with a soft, clean toothbrush (one that has not previously been used in any way, and that you reserve exclusively for cleaning your diamond) to remove any leftover dirt. Take extra care to brush the back of the diamond as this will be the area that has collected the most oil and dirt. Swish in the solution a second time, rinse and drain on tissue paper.

• Jewellery Cleaner

Use any reputed brand name jewellery cleaner and use it according to the instructions given on the label.

• Avoid harmful solutions

Chlorine (as in household bleach) or abrasives (such as household cleansers or toothpaste) should never be used when cleaning diamonds, especially those which are set in jewellery. These erode some of the metals often used in diamond settings, and may loosen prongs, or even dissolve the metal completely.

• Ultrasonic Cleaner

By sending high frequency sound waves through a detergent solution, ultrasonic cleaners cause vibrating fluid to remove accumulated dirt and grime. However, they can also shake loose stones from their mounting, so this method shouldn't be used on fragile settings (or estate jewellery), and is best undertaken by a professional jeweller.

Gold and Platinum Care

 

Most jewellery whether it be yellow gold, white gold or platinum can be maintained at home by cleaning your items with a soft toothbrush and hot water and a non abrasive soap. This will remove any hand cream, fingerprints, dust and dirt caught in the setting and will brighten up your metal. Be sure to check your jewellery regularly to make sure you don’t have any loose gemstones or missing or lifted claws. If you are unsure or have any concerns please bring your items into the store for our staff to check for you.
 
When you are not wearing your jewellery make sure you are storing them in a jewellery box where each item is protected and not getting scratched from another item.
 
Over time and general wear there will be small marks in the metal which are unavoidable. On a yearly basis we recommend you bring back your jewellery to be professional cleaned particularly white gold which needs rhodium plating to look bright and white. This will bring your precious metal back to looking new again.

Titanium Care

General Care

You will find after a period of time your jewellery will not shine as bright as it once did whether it be the metal which needs polishing or gemstones which need cleaning.

The Diamond Shop recommends you keep a soft toothbrush at home to use to clean your jewellery. Use hot water and some non abrasive soap and brush lightly in and behind the settings to remove any hand cream, fingerprints, dust and dirt caught in the setting. This will brighten up your gemstones and also brighten up your gold and platinum.

We also recommend you bring your jewellery back every year perhaps around an anniversary so you remember to have your jewellery professionally cleaned and checked to make sure all claws are strong enough and your gemstones are safe and secure.