Thursday, February 4, 2010

{Sponsor} Whiteflash - How to Clean Your Diamond Jewelry

Everyday cleaning products can leave scum deposits on the diamond leaving it looking dull and lifeless. Once build up has occurred, the diamond's beauty becomes hidden underneath all of the grime. The diamonds sparkle and brilliance depend on the ability of the diamond to refract light. 

How to Clean Diamond Jewelry Properly

1. A small bowl that is deep enough to be filled with the mild liquid cleaner and cover the diamond jewelry to be cleaned.
2. A bowl of clean water that the ring can be rinsed in.
3. A very gentle brush, something that will not scratch the metal setting on the ring (i.e. a soft bristle tooth brush)
4. A lint free cloth

The jewelry will need to soak in the mixture for around fifteen minutes to loosen the dirt and weaken and film or buildup. Gently scrub the diamond or precious stone with the soft brush, rinse frequently in the water bowl and continue to gently scrub the ring. If there is debris built up in the bottom of the stone between the stone and the setting, gently pry loose any dirt that may have built up. Give the ring a final rinse by swishing it around in the water bowl. Use the soft lint free cloth to thoroughly dry the ring. Your diamond jewelry should now be full of sparkle and brilliance.

To keep things sparkly avoid wearing your jewelry when applying hand cream, hair products, perfume or when you perform any work that involves chemicals or dirt.

A Few Tips from the Experts:

If the diamond has been fracture filled than you can only clean it with a mild detergent. The material that is used as the fracture filler can turn color over time when exposed to the ammonia.

If the diamond has not been fracture filled than a combination of water and ammonia can be used to clean it.

Special precautions should be taken with antique jewelry where the setting may be unstable and is probably best to leave it up to the professionals.

Provided by Whiteflash

15 fabulous blogger's comments:

Born to be Mrs. Beever said...

Great tips...I got a little jewelry cleaner kit from a jeweler and soak my ring in it once a week and scrub gently with the little bristle brush. I took it to a different jeweler to be cleaned up in their 'machine' and it shook one of my stones out of the ring! My setting is not a very strong one (invisible setting) so you need to be careful with jewelers to see if you should subject your ring to those machines or not. I learned my lesson. :(

Discovery Street said...

my ring definately needs to be cleaned...thanks for the post!

Discovery Street said...

my ring definately needs to be cleaned...thanks for the post!

JazzWhispers said...

When my FH bought the ring he got a cleaning kit with it and I LOVE cleaning my ring. It looks new and sparkley every time! It's definitely worth buying a little kit with the solution and brush all in one!

Salt said...

Woah this is great!! Thank you for the tips! I have a Dora the Explorer kids toothbrush that I use for my engagement ring. :)

Kim said...

am so bad about cleaning my ring - I think I clean it like once per month? Bad! Thanks for the tips!

Heather said...

Great tips! Thanks!

MargoSLaw said...

My bf owes a jewelery biz in LA (roxburyjewelery.com - they do however do business all over the US, and have been for 30+ years). Easiest way to clean your diamonds - spray some windex (or other similiar cleaner) and scrub with a baby toothbrush :) easy-breezy.

note* this does NOT work on pearls - pearls are a whole breed of their own, that should never be exposed to perfumes and lotions

Sarah said...

Our jeweler said the same thing...Windex and a soft bristle tooth brush.

lobstersandwich said...

Thank you so much for the tip. From one libran to another...Hello ! I look forward to visiying your blog again.
Cheers
SAUCY

Ams said...

Ohhhh now all I need are some diamonds... and I promise to keep them really clean!!

Mireya said...

Oh my gosh, thank you for sharing this! I always feel so silly going in to the jeweler to get my ring cleaned because they know me by name I've been in so many times and now I don't stop in anymore. Now I can just do it from home!

Mrs T said...

You have a sponsor - fancy!!!

I clean my ring with a toothbrush, works really well.

Katie said...

good to know!

Design A-Peele said...

thanks for the info on cleaning rings! Very helpful. Congrats on winning the giveaway at a classy, southern bride! so fun! let me know if you need any jewelry for your upcoming wedding. I can help you get discounted shipping with stella & dot!