Just like a car, jewelry needs to be maintained to maximize its beauty and brilliance. Following the right techniques to maintain your jewelry will ensure that your jewelry looks brilliant and new even after years of wear.
Diamonds by nature are attracted to grease and oil. To this day diamond mines use a “grease belt” to separate diamonds from the surrounding ore which is a bi-product of the mining process. With this in mind, grease such as lotion and the natural oils on your skin will stick to the diamonds in your jewelry. Basic everyday cleaning can help minimize the amount of dirt and grease that will stick to your stones.
The easiest way to maintain your ring at home will be to clean it regularly with warm soapy water and a soft bristle tooth brush. Make sure you are gentle while cleaning your jewelry and have a cover on your drain to prevent your precious diamond jewelry from going down the drain. For really dirty jewelry or jewelry that has not been cleaned regularly you can make a mixture of 1 part ammonia based cleaner to 10 part water and use that in conjunction with mild soap to clean your jewelry. Avoid any solutions with chlorine as chlorine can damage and cause pits in gold alloys such as 14 or 18 karat gold. Pat dry your jewelry with a lint-free cloth and it will look brand new in a matter of minutes!
Bringing you ring in for maintenance is also important for the long-term beauty of your jewelry. Prongs and stones can come loose with daily wear and tear. Taking it to your local jeweler to have prongs tightened and to thoroughly clean the ring and get any grime that may have snuck behind the diamonds or prongs will ensure the prolonged beauty and durability of your jewelry. It is recommended to take your ring in to have this done every 6 months, but most local jewelers are more than happy to clean your jewelry in their professional “ultrasonic” cleaner whenever you drop by their store.
Following these tips for regular maintenance and cleaning will ensure your beautiful jewelry look brilliant and timeless.
