HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOM JEWELLERY
While going about your day to day life, you’ve surely heard the saying “diamonds are forever” at least once. From movies to music and advertisements, the phrase is tried and true. Diamonds are, in fact, the hardest naturally occurring mineral on earth, and are the upper extreme of Mohs' Scale of Hardness as a 10. Diamonds are commonly used in drill bits and power tools since they are hard enough to cut any kind of rock or metal, and only a diamond can be used to cut another. They are also one of the most popular stones in the world when it comes to designing jewellery.
As durable as diamonds are, when they’re used for jewellery, their value lies not in their hardness but in their luster. The deposited oils from a single touch of a finger are enough to collect dust and dirt, rendering the sparkling stone dull. This article is full of tips and tricks, best practices and what not to do when it comes to making your diamond jewellery last.
Caring for your diamond jewellery
Clean your diamonds regularly
Because diamonds become oily so easily, it is important to handle them sparingly and clean them regularly. However, when cleaning, you’ll want to make sure to use a gentle solution. The Gemological Institute of America recommends soaking diamond jewellery in water with a few drops of dish soap and using a brand new baby toothbrush to gently scrub away dirt. Never use chlorine bleach, toothpaste or all-purpose cleaners on your diamonds - or any jewellery, for that matter. After rinsing off the soap solution, dry your now sparkling jewellery with a lint-free cloth, similar to the ones used to clean eyeglasses. Additionally, it’s wise to plug the drain of the sink to ensure your diamonds don’t wash down the drain. Better yet, clean your jewellery in a bowl on a table or countertop.
Be delicate with your diamonds
Even though diamonds are the hardest mineral on Earth, they can become damaged if handled with too much force, especially if they are in delicate or antique settings. Treat fragile jewellery with the utmost care, and be extra gentle when cleaning. Never sleep or bathe while wearing jewellery, as it could not only reduce their shine but also damage the settings by snagging on sheets and towels.
A note on ultrasonic cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners are machines designed to remove deeply-encrusted dirt and grime from diamonds. They function by suspending diamonds in a solution and then pulsating high-frequency sound waves through it. The vibrations shake off impurities from the jewellery and leave them looking perfectly sparkling and clean.
While ultrasonic cleaners may seem like the preferred option when it comes to diamond cleaning solutions, there are some risks involved. Because they function through vibrations, ultrasonic cleaners can knock stones loose from their settings, or chip diamonds that are set in close proximity to each other as parts of clusters.
As a rule of thumb, don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner on your diamond jewellery if it has been fracture-filled. These diamonds are susceptible to breaking when exposed to the stresses of an ultrasonic cleaner.
Visit a jeweller for revaluation
A critical part of diamond jewellery care is having a jeweller check your pieces. The Jewellery Association of Australia recommends a revaluation of your pieces every two years. In addition to keeping the value of your jewellery up to date, this also provides an opportunity for a trained eye to catch any wear and tear, and help identify loose stones before they fall out. The jeweller can also clean and polish your diamond jewellery for you.
Store your jewellery carefully
You should never haphazardly or carelessly put down your jewellery. If you don’t have a designated place to keep your pieces when you take them off, they’re more likely to get lost. The best way to store diamond jewellery is to keep it in a protected and temperature-controlled environment. Jewellery boxes work well for this purpose, and stop pieces from deteriorating over time. Be sure to buy a box that’s big enough to hold all of your jewellery without getting disorganized or messy, as having too many chains and clasps in a small space can cause tangling beyond fixing.
When travelling, you can use a jewellery roll. Slimmer and lighter than jewellery boxes, these storage solutions carry only the pieces you wish to have with you on a trip. You can smoothly lay out your jewellery and roll all of it up into a convenient and portable package.
Try your diamond jewellery on for size
When buying diamond jewellery in the first place, make sure that the rings you choose fit your fingers well, and that all the earrings have proper backings. Necklaces and bracelets need secure clasps and brooches must be firmly attached to their pins. Poorly-made and ill-fitting jewellery is much more likely to become lost or damaged. Make sure to invest in quality jewellery and care for it so it lasts.
Buying diamond jewellery
If you’re not sure where to start searching for your next piece of diamond jewellery, look no further. Dreamtime Australian Diamonds offers stunning earrings, rings, pendants, and bracelets made with high-quality, well-cut diamonds. Browse our array of stunning pieces, or contact us today to inquire about customising jewellery for yourself or a loved one.