Tips for Taking Care of Your Diamond

The hardest mineral on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a diamond, which has the top rating of 10.  It is four times harder than the next hardest mineral, which is corundum that includes varieties of sapphires and rubies.  A diamond is so hard that it can cut through any rock or metal and it requires a diamond to cut another diamond. 

If you are lucky enough to own a diamond, you may have noticed it has lost some of its original sparkle and fire.  Did you know that even the smallest amount of oil from your fingertips can adhere to the surface of a diamond and cause dirt and grime to collect?  This is why we recommend that you handle your diamond as little as possible, and as we tell our Padis Jewelry customers, diamonds are forever, as long as you take good care of them!

One of the easiest ways to keep a diamond looking like the day you bought it is to clean it once or twice a week in a gentle solution of water with a few drops of a mild soap added to it.  Once it has soaked, remove the piece and use a clean, soft toothbrush reserved just for jewelry cleaning to gently remove any remaining dirt.  Remember to clean the back of the diamond as this is where most of the oil and dirt collects.  Rinse the piece thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth. 

Another tip is to avoid any chlorine or abrasive cleaning products including toothpaste as chlorine can harm the metal alloy in the gold and abrasive products can scratch the metal.    Also do not use an ultrasonic cleaner if the diamond has been treated by fracture filling, and keep in mind that a cleaner can shake loose stones from a mounting. Padis Jewelry does not sell fracture-filled diamonds.

Since bridal jewelry, such as engagement rings and wedding bands are typically worn on a daily basis, they should be cleaned on a regular basis.  Furthermore, it helps to remove your rings when applying lotions to your hands as they can form a film on your diamond.  We suggest not wearing your rings when doing rough work and in chlorinated pools or hot tubs.    

  

Since 1974, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  If you are a lover of beautiful jewels, please schedule at visit to San Francisco’s top jewelry store.

Source: gia.edu/gia-news-research-Secrets-Keep-Diamond-Sparkling