How to Clean Diamonds

Diamonds are timeless and there is no question that they are absolutely gorgeous. Wearing them proudly is something most people do on a regular basis. Knowing how to clean diamonds is a part of being their owner. You don’t want to allow dirt or grime to accumulate on them, otherwise they can look dull and lose their shine.

You also want to avoid using harsh chemicals on them that can damage diamonds. If that occurs, it could end up voiding any remaining warranty that you have on them. It can also result in the diamonds shifting and becoming lose. When that occurs they will eventually fall out and could be lost for good.

Diamonds have a shine to them that goes very deep due to the fact that they are able to reflect the lighting. However, when you wear them the oils from your body, dirt, and even various types of debris around you can prevent that from happening as prominently as it did before.

Sometimes all you need is a lint free cloth that you can wipe the jewelry with. This can take care of dirt and dust that may have been around. If you are outside on a windy day this is an important step to take when you return home. For a deeper cleaning though you are going to need to take some time to do more.

Never use soap, even one that is very mild to clean diamonds. This is a common mistake that people make. The residue that it will leave behind is going to block the light from being reflected like it was meant to with this type of gem. If you need to use a cleaner, get a good quality one that is offered from jewelry stores or online. Also, don't use a dishwashing detergent or toothpaste. They are not made for jewelry cleaning.

Make sure you do your homework though before you buy such cleaning supplies for diamonds. Make sure you know what is in them and that those ingredients are safe for you to use on this type of jewelry. They normally can be find under the name "Ultrasonic cleaning solution". You can also create your own by mixing 1 cup of ammonia with three cups of warm water. If you don't have ammonia, you can use any glass cleaner like Windex.

Once you have your solution, create a work station where you can clean the diamonds easily. You want to use a small bowl that isn’t very deep for the cleaning process. Place several items that you want to clean into the solution. Many of them are to be used straight so don’t add water to the bowl unless the cleaning solution specifically states that you need to do so.

Keep track of the number of items you have to clean so you don’t accidentally toss any of them out. Allow several items to soak in the solution for about 30 minutes. This is going to loosen up the elements that have build up on it. That will make your cleaning of the diamonds more successful in less time.

To help you get into all the groves of the jewelry you need to use a small brush. A child’s size toothbrush with soft bristles is perfect. You may want to have a pair of tweezers handy as well to get into tight spaces. You may not realize all of the nooks and crannies that are on your diamond jewelry until you take the time to clean them. As a side note, you may want to wear some rubber gloves while placing your hands in the cleaning solution. Some people are highly sensitive to such liquids.

Don’t be too hard when you are cleaning diamonds either. If you find particular pieces are very hard to clean, allow them to soak again for 30 minutes. You may want to change the solution you are using if it is cloudy from the work you have accomplished so far. If you can’t get the item clean after a few tries then you should consult with a professional about it. Never use home steam cleaners for diamonds. This can be a very tricky process and more likely than not it will result in damages to your items.

When you are done with a piece of diamond jewelry, place it on a clean towel that is in your work area. Allow each piece to completely dry before you put it away. You want to make sure you have good lighting in the area too in order to ensure you get all of the areas on the jewelry. A magnifying glass can help you as well.

Take this opportunity to feel all of the areas of the diamonds. You want to make sure the prongs are strong and that they aren’t bent. If you have any loose diamonds after the cleaning process you should put the item in a container and get it to a jeweler for maintenance before you wear it again. You don’t want to risk losing the stones out of it.

Depending on the type of materials the rest of the jewelry is made from, you may want to use a type of polish to shine it up as well. Then your diamonds will sparkle and the rest of the jewelry will look like new.

Now that you know how to clean diamonds, take some time to do so with your collection of jewelry. You can do many pieces at once so that you can get the most out of the time you spend on it. Why allow your gorgeous diamonds to not look every bit as great as they could. You also don’t need to pay a jeweler to do this process for you when it is quite simple to do it yourself at home.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to over clean your diamonds though. This can result in them being scratched and not maintaining their shine. You should be able to tell though when items are beginning to dull. Those that you wear frequently will likely need to be cleaned more often than others. When you have a special occasion or you are taking photos you should take the time to clean your diamonds in advance.