Diamond care

A diamond is the hardest thing in the world, but not the toughest. Diamonds can get abrasions or even chipped through normal wear and tear. When diamonds rub together while being stored, they may get scratched or abraded (minute scratches and pits along facet edges). Be careful any time that diamonds might come in contact with another diamond. Diamonds are valuable objects and should not be abused. Read more on Diamond Care.

Keep your jewelry clean!

If you want your diamond to look better than most rings worn today-keep it clean! A clean diamond will have the same sparkle and brightness that it did the day you bought it while a dirty diamond will look dull and dark.

It's hard to keep a diamond ring clean. Diamonds are natural grease attractors and can become coated with grease when they are immersed in dishwater or when they come in contact with any greasy substance including hand or body lotions and natural skin oils. Powders, hair spray and soap are also cut down on a diamond's brilliance.

A safe and easy way to clean a diamond ring is to soak and wash it in warm sudsy water using a mild liquid detergent. Then it can be dried with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the dirt on the diamond cannot be washed off after soaking, try using a tooth pick, a Water Pick or un-waxed dental floss to removed caked-on dirt. Brushes should be used with caution because hard bristles can scratch gold mountings.

You can also buy one of the brand-name liquid jewelry cleaners, which usually include a container of cleaner, a basket to soak the ring in and a small brush to clean hard to get at areas. Read the label and follow its instructions. Don't touch your clean diamonds with your finger since that simply puts oil back on them. For frequent travelers, jewelry cleaner now is available in a foam dispenser that ensures you have beautiful jewelry wherever you go.

Ethyl alcohol and ammonia are also good for cleaning diamonds because they help avoid the problem of water spots.

Caution: Fracture-filled diamonds should not be cleaned in solutions which are acidic or which contain ammonia since they can cloud, discolor or even remove the filling material.

Protect your jewelry

Don't let your jewelry come in contact with chlorine bleach which can be very damaging to the metal. Gold prongs can get pitted and actually dissolve to the point they can no longer hold the diamonds or other gemstones. Prolonged exposure to chlorine in hot tubs or swimming pools can have the same effect. You might already protect your hands from harsh chemicals, but if you don't think about your fine jewelry. Remove your rings or wear gloves to protect them from products that contain chorine, because it can damage metal. Avoid dripping bleaches and hair dyes on your fine jewelry.

Ultrasonic cleaners

To get rid of encrusted dirt, it is sometimes necessary to have the diamond cleaned professionally with steamers and ultrasonic cleaners. There are many types of these small machines on the market that will clean any piece of jewelry that can be dipped in a liquid. They consist of a metal cup that you fill with water and detergent. When the machine is turned on, a high frequency motion creates the cleaning action. Since each machine is slightly different, read the instructions very carefully before use, especially concerning what types of jewelry should not be cleaned using this method.

A wrist watch should not be "dipped" in any liquid, since many are not water proof and even those that are can be damaged if dipped in chemicals that can disintegrate the material used for sealing it tight. The best method for diamond watches is a jeweler's polishing cloth for all metal parts of the watch and diamonds. Be careful with the diamonds so as not to loosen the settings.

If you did not find your Diamond answer here, please have a look at our Diamond Tutorial.

How to look

Diamonds are clarity graded face up (looking at the top of the diamond), not from the side or bottom of the diamond. We have the most problem with clarity where the inclusions are not visible with the eye from the top of the diamond but are visible from the side. When viewing a diamond from the side, the middle third of the diamond is generally very transparent.

If an inclusion is in this part of the diamond and happens to be turned broadside to your view, it can be much more visible than when viewed from the top where there are many facets to hide its appearance. If the diamond is going to be visible from the side in the setting, make sure your diamond is clean to the eye from the top and the side, regardless of what clarity grade it has.