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Do
not wear diamond
jewelry,
especially rings
when washing
dishes,
gardening or
during household
repairs. Even
though diamond
is one of the
hardest
materials in
nature, a sharp,
sudden blow can
still chip it.
Have your
diamond set in a
relatively
protective
setting, and
avoid touching
your clean
diamonds with
your fingers.
Handle clean
jewelry by its
edges.
Exposure of your
jewelry to
household
chemicals, like
chlorine bleach,
chlorine and
hairspray, which
can damage and
discolor the
mounting on your
diamond jewelry.
Periodic
cleanings are
crucial if you
want to keep it
brilliant and
prismatic.
Be sure to store
your diamond in
a fabric-lined
case or in a box
with dividers or
separate
compartments--diamonds
can scratch
other jewelry,
especially soft
items like
pearls, as well
as each other.
If you notice a
loose stone
setting, do not
wear the jewelry
until you have
taken it to a
professional
jeweler for
repair. Avoid
setting diamonds
in very soft
metals, like 24
karat gold,
which bend
easily. In
general, you
should have a
professional
jeweler both
clean and check
the security of
your setting,
while you watch,
once a year
Diamond Care
and Cleaning
Dirt, chemicals,
makeup,
perspiration,
natural oils
from your skin
and in the air
can cause
buildup that
dulls the
surface of a
diamond,
reducing its
brilliance,
oxidize or
discolor the
mountings.
Keeping your
jewelry clean
will maximize
its brilliance.
Here are ways
you can clean
your diamonds:
Alcohol:
a gentle
scrubbing with a
soft-bristle
brush in a
solution of
plain alcohol
diluted in warm
water.
Ammonia:
Use a soft,
non-metallic
brush and a
solution of one
part ammonia to
six parts water.
Gently scrub
away any dirt,
especially any
buildup around
the prongs or
setting. Be
careful not to
scratch the
metal of your
setting.
Detergent
Bath: Prepare
a small bowl of
warm suds using
any mild
household liquid
detergent (be
sure not to use
any cleaners
containing
chlorine). Brush
the jewelry with
a soft brush
until you have
created a lather
around it. With
the jewelry on a
plastic or metal
strainer, rinse
off with warm
water (be sure
not to clean
your jewelry
over the drain!)
Pat your jewelry
dry with a soft,
lint-free cloth.
Cold Water
Soak: Make a
solution of 4
parts cold-water
and 1 part very
mild dishwashing
detergent. Soak
the pieces for
several minutes.
Lift out and tap
gently around
all sides of the
mounting with a
soft brush.
Rinse the pieces
in the solution
once more and
drain on tissue
paper.
Quick-Dip
Method: Buy
one of the brand
name liquid
jewelry
cleaners,
choosing the one
that is best for
the kind of
stones and
metals in your
jewelry. Read
the label
carefully and
follow the
instructions. Do
not touch your
clean diamonds
with your
fingers, as the
oils from your
hands will leave
a film on the
stone.
Ultrasonic
Cleaner:
There are many
types of these
small machines
available to the
public today.
They will clean
any piece of
jewelry that can
be soaked in a
liquid within a
matter of
minutes. These
machines often
have a metal
cup, which is
filled with
water and
detergent. When
the machine is
turned on, a
high-frequency
turbulence is
created. Avoid
putting emeralds
and pearls in
ultrasonic
cleaners.
NOTE: Be
sure to follow
the
manufacturer’s
instructions and
warnings before
using these
machines. The
above methods
are not
appropriate for
pearls, opals,
lapis, corals
and many other
gems. A very
quick dip in
plain lukewarm
water is
suggested for
these fragile
pieces.
Periodic
ultrasonic
cleanings by
your local
jeweler are also
recommended to
clean
hard-to-reach
areas under the
settings.
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