Diamonds are the hardest naturally-occurring material on earth, but that doesn’t mean diamond jewelry is invincible. Like all stones, diamonds often contain imperceptible fracture lines that, with the application of enough force, can create chips or cracks. In fact, finding a flawless diamond is incredibly challenging: Only 20% of the world’s diamonds are suitable for use as gemstones, and many gem-quality diamonds contain tiny imperfections (inclusions) that can potentially affect their structural integrity. The metal parts of diamond jewelry are also vulnerable to scratches and corrosion.
In the guide below, we’ll explain the best jewelry care techniques to ensure your diamond jewelry lasts a lifetime:
Handle your jewelry carefully.
Never grasp your jewelry “stone first” when you pick it up, as doing this can loosen the stones from their facets. Dirt and oil from your fingers can also build up around the facets, and this delicate area is very hard to clean. If you’re picking up a ring, hold its band, and if you’re picking up earrings, hold the post. Make sure you grasp the piece firmly, so you don’t drop it.
Put on your jewelry after you’re done getting ready for an event or outing.
Many personal care items, like sunscreen, hair spray, and perfume, contain abrasive chemicals and oils that may gradually harm your jewelry with repeated exposure. Jewelry can also become tangled up in hair or clothing while you’re getting ready to go out, and tugging your jewelry free could dislodge the stones in it from their facets. To keep your diamond jewelry looking its best, wait until you’re done getting ready to put it on, and wash your hands before you handle it.
Have your jewelry cleaned professionally twice per year.
Every six months, you should bring your jewelry to Elegant Goldsmiths for a thorough professional cleaning. We have special equipment that can clean even the most hard-to-reach parts of your jewelry, without causing any damage.
If you need to clean your jewelry at home before an event, use a gentle, no-residue soap that doesn’t contain any oils or perfumes and warm (not hot) water. Combine a drop of soap and water, then use a toothbrush to carefully clean around the facets of your jewelry. Avoid using abrasive materials, like baking soda, vinegar, and household cleaners, to clean metal or gemstones. These ingredients may be safe for routine home cleaning tasks, but they’ll quickly dull the lustre of your jewelry. If you’re not sure which soap to use, buy a non-abrasive jewellery cleaning solution to safely renew the shine of your jewelry.
After you’re done cleaning, use a soft microfiber cloth to polish your diamonds until they gleam. Don’t use household dishcloths, Kleenex, or paper towels to buff jewelry, as these can also be abrasive.
Regularly inspect your jewelry for signs of wear.
At least three times per year, analyze your jewelry under a bright light: Do any areas look dull, scratched, cracked, or otherwise blemished? Are any of the stones loose in their facets?
If you notice anything amiss with your jewelry, book a jewelry repair appointment with us as soon as possible. After all, the last thing you want is for one of the precious gems in your jewelry to become dislodged!
Even if you can’t see anything wrong with your jewelry, you should still have it inspected 1-2 times per year. A jeweler’s microscope can detect flaws that are invisible to the human eye, before they can pose a risk to your valuable keepsake.
Store your jewelry correctly.
One of the most common jewelry care mistakes people make is storing all of their jewelry together in a single jewelry box. Though these ornamental boxes look nice, they aren’t the ideal way to keep expensive jewelry safe: When the box moves, or when you’re searching for a specific item, jewelry pieces may get scratched as they’re pushed together. This is especially likely to happen when you own diamond jewelry, because diamonds are so much harder than metal. Putting all of your jewelry in one box and leaving it on a shelf or dresser also makes it easy for thieves to steal your entire collection if you ever experience a break-in.
To protect your jewelry, always try to store each item in the original box it came in. (If you lose the box, you can buy another one at a jewelry outlet.) We also recommend finding an inconspicuous dry, warm place to store your jewelry boxes. Don’t leave them in plain sight where they’ll be an accessible target for thieves. Some of the best places to hide diamond jewelry boxes include the back of a cleaning supply closet or kitchen pantry, inside a hollowed-out door, or even inside a fake air vent. (You can buy storage containers designed to resemble air vents online.)
Have your jewelry insured.
We all want to stop thieves from finding our jewelry, because there’s no way to replace the memories and feelings attached to each treasured work of art. Still, in the unlikely event that thieves do find your hidden jewelry, you’ll want to be sure you can recoup your financial investment. Other emergencies, like fires and floods, can also destroy your jewelry, no matter how carefully it’s concealed. As such, you should ask your insurance company if they can insure your jewelry against fire, theft, and damage.
When properly cared for, diamond jewelry can last for generations. If you have any questions about how to look after your jewelry, or you want to find high-quality diamonds, contact Elegant Goldsmiths in Toronto. We’ll be happy to help in any way we can.