Diamonds are made to sparkle and gleam, but every now and then they can lose their luster, sparkling less, feeling greasy or tacky to the touch, and generally not seeming quite the best friend the ads and songs all claim that they are. Diamonds get dirty, just like everything else, and when this happens you should clean your diamond – and yes, you can do this at home, as long as you take the right precautions. Let us have a look at what not to do and then how to clean your diamond safely.
No Chemicals
Diamonds are the world’s hardest substance, but they can break if smashed hard enough. They can also discolor and become cloudy if subjected to harsh chemicals or heat. For example, never expose your diamond to a naked flame. Bleach, ammonia and other cleaning agents should be avoided in the same manner.
No Ultrasonic Cleaning
While ultrasonic cleaners do work amazingly well on gemstones, basically causing the dirt to fall off, they can also work that same ‘magic’ on your diamonds themselves, shaking them loose of their fittings! A jeweler who offers professional cleaning services will almost certainly use an ultrasonic cleaner – but a jeweler has the tools and the know-how to check for loose stones or similar issues before your precious piece of jewelry goes anywhere near the machine.
No Scrubbing
Many people think that because a diamond is so hard, it can withstand a vigorous scrubbing. Once again, avoid these just in case they cause a stone to work loose, but mainly because it can harm the metal into which your diamond is set. Scuffed and scratched gold is not a particularly pretty sight, and it can happen astonishingly easy with the super-effective abrasive scrubbers to be found in every supermarket these days.
What to Use
Diamonds have simple cleaning needs. Simply use a drop of dish detergent, a little shampoo or even some shower gel in warm – almost hot water – and rub the ring clean with a facecloth or similar item. If there is grime caked around the diamond that does not come off even after you have allowed the ring to soak for fifteen minutes and that remains resistant to attempts to clean it with the cloth, you can use a very soft toothbrush for the purpose. Be very gentle and stop immediately if you think you might be damaging your stone, or the ring. In nine out of ten cases, the hot water and soap will work their magic, loosening dirt and grime enough for it to be brushed off with your fingers. Avoid products with built-in moisturising properties, as these can encourage the grime to stick.
When to Wash
Clean your diamond rings fortnightly, as a rule, unless you have a very sedentary job that involves little to no grime coming into contact with your ring. But even so, hair products, cosmetics and beauty products all leave a little residue on your hands, and in time this will build up and give your ring an unsightly appearance. Follow the step above and soon your one carat diamond will be gleaming proudly once again!
