Ignorance often leads people to unintentionally diminish the value of their diamonds over time. Many believe that diamonds, being nearly indestructible, require little attention or care once purchased. However, if you truly value your precious stones and want to protect their appearance and value, it is crucial to delve into the insights shared in this article.
The comprehensive guide, titled “Diamond Care: How to Preserve Your Diamonds,” is readily available for all those who hold their diamonds dear. Questions such as whether wearing diamonds all the time is advisable, the recommended frequency of cleaning, and the ideal storage methods when not in use will be answered within this resource.
By the time you finish reading the article, you can be confident that you will possess the knowledge needed to properly care for and maintain the beauty of your diamonds.
DESIGN YOUR OWN ENGAGEMENT RING: START WITH A SETTING OR START WITH A DIAMOND. IT’S REALLY UP TO YOU!
Things You Need To Know Before You Buy Diamonds
Regardless of your age, there will come a time when you’ll be captivated by the allure of diamond jewelry. If you’re a man deeply in love and looking to propose, an engagement ring adorned with a diamond becomes a necessity. Similarly, women are naturally drawn to the radiance of diamond jewelry. In today’s world, it’s difficult to resist the allure of diamonds, as they symbolize wealth and status to some extent.
Throughout history, diamond-encrusted jewelry was reserved for the nobility. Fortunately, our modern economic system allows people of all financial backgrounds to purchase and enjoy diamonds.
However, it’s important to understand that buying a diamond comes at a price. Even for a basic one-carat diamond, you may need to pay up to $2000. Diamonds follow a relatively balanced pricing structure that aligns with the principles of the free market – all diamonds have a comparable cost.
Read Also: Diamond History: Formation and Discovery
What factors determine the price of diamonds?
However, the price can significantly vary based on the specific diamond you seek. Factors such as carat weight, color, cut, and clarity influence the overall price of a diamond.
If you desire a larger and heavier diamond, be prepared to have a more substantial budget. Transparency also affects the price, with more transparent diamonds commanding higher costs. Similarly, white diamonds generally cost more, but there are rare and unique colored diamonds that can surpass even the price of white ones.
The final determinant of a diamond’s price is its cut grade. If you encounter a diamond with an unusually high price tag, it’s likely that it was skillfully cut by a renowned professional in the diamond industry.
All these factors are commonly known as the 4 C’s of diamonds. If you want to delve deeper into this topic, click on the provided link to learn everything about the 4 C’s of diamonds.
Unfortunately, merely acquiring the funds to purchase diamond jewelry does not automatically grant you the knowledge of how to care for your precious stones properly. This lack of understanding often leads to unintentional damage inflicted on these cherished gems. Despite diamonds being the hardest natural material, they can chip or break easily if mishandled.
We believe that jewelers should take the initiative to educate and assist their customers in caring for their diamonds. However, most jewelers do not offer such guidance proactively.
To bridge this gap, we have enlisted our top experts to create an article that caters to individuals of all levels of diamond knowledge. This resource will equip you with the necessary information to preserve the beauty and value of your diamonds.
Remember, it may initially be challenging to remember all the details presented here. But fret not – you can always revisit this article for a comprehensive review on diamond care, starting with:
The General Rules Of Wearing Diamond Jewelry
The awareness of how and when to wear diamond jewelry has been lacking among many individuals. There is a common misconception that diamonds can be worn without any consideration or precautionary measures.
However, there are specific guidelines to follow if you plan on wearing diamond jewelry daily, especially for those leading active lifestyles. Consider the following recommendations based on your mode of transportation:
- If you’re traveling by bus or train, it’s advisable to store your diamond jewelry in a purse or suitcase. Alternatively, you can conceal the jewelry by covering it with clothing.
- When driving, you can wear your diamond jewelry without worrying about potential theft. However, it’s still recommended to secure your diamond-embedded jewelry in one of your car’s compartments.
- If your daily commute is lengthy, it may be wise to refrain from wearing diamond jewelry altogether. Wearing precious stones daily, especially when constantly on your feet, can be detrimental.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that diamonds, like other precious stones, should not be exposed to sweat consistently. Human skin naturally secretes oils, which can come into contact with diamonds. While inorganic objects are unaffected by these oils, diamonds can become dirty from prolonged exposure.
Neglecting proper care for your diamonds can lead to their deterioration over time, potentially diminishing their value. To prevent this, it is crucial to wear your diamond jewelry only on occasions, limiting it to two or three times per week.
If you believe that wearing diamonds a few times per week is not harmful, there is a simple solution: regularly clean your precious stones, which will be discussed later.
Considering all this, it should be self-explanatory that wearing diamonds during gym sessions is not advisable. Intense exercise causes increased sweating, which can significantly affect the appearance of your diamonds. It is best to avoid exposing them to excessive amounts of sweat.
In discussing the general rules of wearing diamonds, it is essential to address the significance of pairing the right metals with your diamonds. When purchasing diamond-embedded jewelry, it will typically be made from gold or platinum. In rare cases, you may find diamonds embedded in silver jewelry.
While some individuals may prefer silver to avoid the yellow color of gold, we highly recommend against it. Silver, even sterling silver, is not durable enough to support the weight of diamonds effectively. The use of 925 silver by some jewelers still cannot guarantee the integrity of the diamonds.
For more information on this topic, click on the provided link.
When the time comes for you to wear diamond jewelry, remember to opt for pieces made from gold or platinum, as they will securely hold your diamonds.
Depending on the type of jewelry you wear, it’s important to be mindful of what your diamonds come into contact with. Certain lotions and hand creams contain chemicals that can harm the quality of diamonds. Therefore, when applying hand cream, remember to remove bracelets and rings, especially if they are embedded with diamonds. The same caution should be exercised when using perfumes, ensuring diamond necklaces are removed before spraying perfume on your neck.
Once you grasp the aforementioned guidelines for wearing diamonds, you can proceed to the next step, which involves understanding where to place your diamonds.
Keep Your Diamonds Somewhere Safe
If you’re fortunate enough to work from home, you may have realized that wearing diamonds every day isn’t necessary. So, what should you do with your diamonds when you don’t plan on wearing them?
Many people underestimate the importance of storing diamonds properly, assuming that as long as they can find them, it’s not a concern. However, this belief is incorrect. Regardless of the size or cleanliness of your house or apartment, diamonds should always be stored in a covered and protected location.
First and foremost, diamonds, like most inorganic objects, should not be exposed to direct sunlight. While sunlight is essential for our environment, it’s not ideal for diamonds. Direct sunlight can make the stone visible to others, which can be problematic, particularly when there are children and pets around who may unintentionally swallow the stone (more on that later).
Investing in a safe is the best way to keep your diamonds secure when you’re not wearing them. While some may consider buying a safe solely for storing diamond jewelry excessive, it provides unmatched protection against unwanted attention.
Storing diamonds in random drawers is not recommended as they can easily mix with other items, potentially causing damage to the stone. Despite diamonds being the hardest natural material, they can be damaged under certain conditions:
- Directly hitting a diamond with a strong object like a steel hammer will at least crack it and most likely shatter it into small pieces.
- Placing a diamond in close contact with sharp objects can cause cuts or chips, depending on the proximity and sharpness of the object.
- Diamonds have cleavage patterns that act as weak points. Even light contact with a foreign object hitting a diamond’s cleavage pattern directly can cause it to break in two.
To learn more about diamond cleavage patterns, click on the provided link.
To avoid compromising the integrity of your diamonds, refrain from placing them in drawers with objects that can harm them. Instead, consider purchasing a small safe or crate dedicated to keeping your diamonds safe when not in use.
Depending on what other valuables you store in the same safe or crate, it may be wise to wrap your diamonds in a cloth before placing them inside. This prevents accidental damage from other stones or pieces of jewelry making direct contact with your diamonds. Using tissue or old cloth found around the house can provide sufficient separation.
Secondly, ensure that the safes or crates containing your diamonds are placed out of reach. Children may not understand the value of these stones and may find it amusing to play with them. To prevent this, keep the storage location of your diamonds inaccessible to children, such as the highest part of a closet.
If you frequently wear diamonds, it might be wise to consider placing some of them in a bank. Banks offer secure safes for storing money and valuable objects, making it an ideal option, especially if you consider diamonds as an investment. There’s no safer place to store a large number of diamonds than a fully secured bank with impenetrable safes.
In summary, to preserve the quality of your diamonds, it is highly recommended to invest in a safe, whether it’s inside your home or in a bank. Always keep your diamonds protected, especially when you’re not wearing them!
Clean Your Diamonds Regularly
Just like with everything else in life, if you want to maintain the quality and appearance of certain objects, regular cleaning is essential. This applies to both humans and animals who need frequent washing, just like diamonds.
To preserve the sparkling shine of diamonds, it’s crucial to clean them regularly. However, before we delve into the cleaning process, it’s recommended to revisit the previous statements.
Cleaning something that isn’t regularly cared for is meaningless. Stains can become deeply embedded and challenging to remove, which is unfortunately true for diamonds as well. Jewelers may not emphasize this, but once you purchase jewelry with diamonds, pay close attention to when and how often you need to clean your precious stones.
Depending on the type of jewelry, diamonds may be embedded in a way that allows them to be separated from the piece or not.
For wristwatches and rings, separating the diamonds is unlikely. On the other hand, necklaces and bracelets often offer the option to detach the diamonds.
If your diamond cannot be separated from the accessory, it’s advisable to take the jewelry to a jeweler for cleaning at least once or twice a year (more on that later).
So, how do you clean diamonds?
Regardless of their size and shape, all diamonds require regular cleaning. The frequency of cleaning depends on whether the diamonds are worn every day or stored securely:
For diamonds worn frequently, thorough cleaning every three months is recommended.
For diamonds that are not frequently handled, cleaning once a year is sufficient, depending on the controlled environment in which they are stored.
Now, let’s learn the proper way to clean diamonds. There are various methods, some of which can be performed using everyday household items.
For example, you can create a cleaning solution using items found in your kitchen. Find a transparent bowl (preferably glass) that can hold up to 200ml of water. If you plan to clean the entire piece of jewelry with the diamond still embedded, use a larger bowl.
Fill the bowl with hot water from the kitchen sink. Warm water is better for dissolving and cleaning objects, including diamonds.
Next, find a natural dishwashing liquid that does not contain inorganic chemicals. If you don’t have one, purchase a bottle before attempting to clean your diamonds. Natural dishwashing liquids are easily accessible at local markets.
Once you have the dishwashing liquid, add several drops to the bowl of hot water and stir until it mixes well.
Carefully place the diamonds inside the bowl, using a long, wooden object to avoid direct contact with the hot water.
Leave the diamonds in the cleaning solution for at least 10 minutes. Depending on the dirtiness of the diamonds, the water may become slightly cloudy, but it’s unlikely to change significantly.
After the 10-minute mark, remove the diamonds from the bowl, taking care not to burn yourself. Use the same gentle method you used to place them in the hot bowl.
Take a toothbrush, preferably a soft one, and scrub the diamonds gently for several minutes. Toothbrushes typically do not damage diamonds, but using a soft brush helps preserve other materials in the accessory.
After scrubbing, wash the diamonds under clean, running water to remove any remaining soap and dirt.
Finally, thoroughly dry the diamonds with a towel. You’ll be left with clean, sparkling diamonds that shine brightly.
Another method of cleaning diamonds is to soak them in an ammonia solution. Follow the same steps as above, but use cold water and replace the dishwashing liquid with ammonia.
Cleaning your diamonds regularly, at least once every three months, using these methods will keep them in optimal condition. Most of the dirt on the surface of diamonds is not visible to the naked eye, but regular cleaning ensures their ongoing brilliance. After scrubbing, rinse the diamonds under clean water to remove soap and dirt, then
dry them with a towel. Your diamonds will be clean and shining brightly!
Often Visit Your Trusted Jeweler
As mentioned earlier, it is important to regularly visit your trusted jeweler for inspections, regardless of how your diamond is set in the jewelry. Each diamond has its own story, and how you care for it will determine its longevity. Neglecting the cleaning process or mishandling your diamonds can result in accidental damage.
Accidents happen, and even a small impact on a wall can cause damage to your diamond, either internally or externally. Most individuals don’t have the necessary tools to examine the condition of their diamonds. Thankfully, professional jewelers are experts in this field and have the required tools to closely assess diamonds. If you suspect any damage, it is highly recommended to visit your trusted jeweler.
While it is unlikely that you have damaged the diamond itself, it is crucial to repair any damage to the jewelry that holds the diamond in place. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Diamonds are known to be expensive, and losing one can result in a significant financial loss. Often, people lose their diamonds when the jewelry itself is damaged. Therefore, if you suspect any damage to your jewelry, especially if it contains diamonds, promptly take it to your trusted jeweler.
At your request, jewelers can examine and evaluate the current condition of your diamonds. Keep in mind that professional jewelers usually charge a fee for this service. However, it is far better to discover that there is nothing wrong with your diamonds than to ignore a broken piece of jewelry and continue wearing it daily. Ignorance often leads to the loss of precious stones. A quick trip to your trusted jeweler will help ensure that you don’t lose your diamond.
Ask the jeweler to clean your diamonds. Jewelers not only inspect the condition of your diamonds but can also clean them if requested. We highly recommend having your diamonds professionally cleaned at least once a year. Some accessories have diamonds set in a way that makes it difficult to separate them without damaging the jewelry itself. Jewelers have the expertise to safely remove, clean, and reassemble such accessories.
It’s important to note that professional cleaning services may come with a cost. However, if you desire sparkling diamonds, it is essential to clean all of them, regardless of the difficulty in accessing them.
Avoid These Things When Handling Diamonds!
As we near the end of this discussion, it remains crucial to address certain aspects that may initially seem mundane but hold significant importance when it comes to caring for your diamonds.
Consider the age of your children when deciding whether they can comprehend the value and importance of handling diamonds. Regardless of their age, children are often fascinated by shiny objects, and few things are as shiny as diamonds. However, it is not advisable to casually give your diamond-embedded jewelry to young children, especially if they are still very young.
We believe that children aged 16 and younger should not be given permission to use or wear diamond jewelry. Regardless of their intelligence, young individuals nowadays may lack the necessary understanding of the value of diamonds. It is advisable to avoid entrusting small children with your diamonds.
In an act of rebellion, children may attempt to take your diamond-embedded jewelry when you are not looking. To prevent this, we strongly recommend investing in a safe to keep your valuables secure at all times.
While on the subject, it is important to avoid placing your diamonds where your pets can access them. Most cats are unlikely to attempt to consume a diamond, but dogs, on the other hand, can be unpredictable. There have been cases where dogs have swallowed diamond jewelry, leading to internal injuries depending on the size and sharpness of the accessory. To prevent such incidents, similar to children, store your diamonds in a high and secure location.
If your job allows you to work from home, you will likely realize that wearing diamond-embedded jewelry indoors is not enjoyable. Consequently, you may gradually reduce wearing them until you completely stop wearing them inside your house. However, depending on where you leave them, it can be challenging to find them later, especially if you believe a safe is unnecessary. Earrings and rings can become bothersome when cleaning the house or sleeping, leading many to take them off and place them on a desk. This practice is unwise, particularly when using a vacuum cleaner to clean the house. A single mistake can cause an earring to fall onto the ground, making it extremely difficult to locate, especially if it gets sucked into the vacuum cleaner. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of investing in a small crate or safe to store your diamonds while you are occupied in the house, even if the price may seem high.
When preparing for a family vacation, especially if you plan on wearing diamond-embedded jewelry, thorough preparation is essential. Depending on your destination, take appropriate measures to protect your diamond accessories.
If you intend to go hiking with your family, we highly recommend refraining from wearing jewelry with embedded diamonds. Losing your diamonds while walking through a forest makes the chances of recovery extremely slim.
The same caution applies if you plan on swimming in the sea. Remember to leave your diamonds in your apartment, as chlorine in the water can damage and discolor the diamond mountings. Additionally, there is a risk of losing your diamonds while in the water.
Depending on where you live, experiencing all four seasons is common. Wearing jewelry with embedded diamonds is usually not problematic. However, during winter, certain issues may arise:
When extremely low temperatures require multiple layers of clothing, be attentive to prevent your accessory from becoming entangled in your clothes. If this happens, remain calm and carefully disentangle the fabric from the diamond.
Wearing diamond rings with gloves is nearly impossible and should be avoided at all times. The materials used in gloves may hinder the proper fit of your ring. Due to reduced tactile sensation, you may inadvertently injure yourself or damage the ring.
Likewise, wearing a hat and a set of diamond earrings simultaneously should be avoided to minimize the risk of injury.
Conclusion
And thus, we conclude the article on diamond care: how to take care of your diamonds. We highly recommend revisiting this information periodically to refresh your knowledge, as certain aspects may be overlooked or forgotten over time.
If we were to summarize this topic concisely, please remember the following key points:
- Purchase diamonds only from trusted jewelers.
- Avoid wearing diamonds daily, particularly when wearing multiple layers of clothing.
- Safeguard your diamonds securely while traveling.
- When not wearing your diamond-embedded jewelry, store them in a safe or crate.
- Learn proper techniques for cleaning your diamonds to prevent damage.
We believe that individuals who thoroughly read this article will possess the necessary understanding to care for their diamonds. Feel free to return whenever you have questions or uncertainties, as the answers can be found within the preceding content.
