How to Care for Your Diamond

Last Updated on Monday, 15 February 2010 06:20 Written by Deb St. George Monday, 22 February 2010 00:00

Most people when thinking about how to care for their diamond don't think about taking off their diamond ring when swimming in a pool full of chlorine. While the water may not affect the diamond the band may become discolored because of the clorine in the water. Many a person has lost their diamond ring while swimming in a pool or even while washing dishes. The ring simply slips off and if you're not care will disappear down the drain.

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever.

First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Professional jewelers will use an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaners to clean your ring. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost. Also avoid setting diamonds in very soft metals like 24k gold, which bends easily. Platinum, yellow gold and white gold all need yearly or bi-yearly maintenance to keep them looking like new. Platinum and yellow gold will need to be polished to keep their luster and shine.

Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well.

Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with hair spray, bleach, or other household cleansers – this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond!