Jewellery Care | Diamond Jewellery Cleaning

Our diamonds and jewellery are some of the most treasured and valued belongings representing, for most of us, a lifetime of memories and sentiments. It is therefore essential to handle them as you would fragile babies and inspect them closely from time to time for any loose or out of place diamonds or gemstones. Knowing how to care for your sparkly pieces requires a bit of effort but this in turn will reap rewards in having their lustre and shine maintained for generations to come. In return for a little care and upkeep, Nature's little treasures will bring you a continuous supply of love and dreams.

Here are a few of our suggestions and tips on how to look after your jewellery:

1. Use Simple Home Cleaners

The simplest DIY way to keep your diamonds and diamond jewellery clean is to periodically soak them in a small bowl of warm soapy water (made with a few added drops of dish washing liquid) or in hot water with a few pinches of baking soda thrown in. The same procedure applies to jewellery with gemstones other than pearls, except that the water to be used should be lukewarm.

A bit of soapy suds and baking soda brings back the sparkle

After a little soak and a gentle shake, brush lightly with a clean soft bristled toothbrush to remove dirt and grime hiding in the nooks and crannies of your piece. Then rinse your diamond jewellery under running water in a sink with a rubber mat placed underneath, and please make sure to cover the sink drain before rinsing. Dry with a soft cotton cloth and witness before your very eyes your diamonds dancing back to life. It's that simple!

2. Use Jewellery Cleaning Liquids and Polishing Cloths

Use a soft micro-fibre cloth to polish your jewellery

Ever so often, it is advisable to do a more thorough upkeep of your jewellery using commercially available ammonia-based cleaning solutions and soft metal polishing cloths. This will get rid of the surface oxidation and the more embedded grime and soap residue on your pieces which can visibly dull your treasures. It is important to note that ammonia-based cleaners are not recommended for cleaning non-diamond precious jewellery.

3. Store and Travel Safely

Jewellery storage is important and doing it safely is often overlooked. Even though diamonds are the hardest of all gemstones, they require gentle handling as they can damage other metals or gemstones they come in contact with or worse still, can chip at the edges if they rub or come in contact against each other.

Firstly, be sure to remove all of your jewellery before doing any physical activity that could pose a risk of injury.

Remember to keep your precious pieces away from direct sunlight/heat as well as damp and humid conditions. If possible, use the original boxes and pouches that your jewellery came with to keep them from contact with each other and to avoid dust accumulation.

If the original packaging isn’t available, a jewellery box that features soft padded sections for rings, earrings and necklaces is ideal.

For silver and rose gold jewellery, it is best to include silica gel packs to absorb moisture to prevent metal tarnishing. Silver jewellery tarnishes easily and even when it is kept in dry conditions, oxidation will occur over time. When travelling, protect your jewellery by placing it in separate small boxes or nylon zippered pouches. Place it in your hand carry and never in the suitcase — this one should be obvious. Insuring your precious diamonds and jewellery against theft, loss or damage while travelling is highly recommended.

Insurance against theft, loss or damage while travelling is highly recommended

4. Keep Away From Chemicals

Whether it’s silver, gold or platinum, exposure to chlorine and household/gardening chemicals can tarnish metals and harm your gemstones. The best thing to do is use whatever spray-on you need to (lotions, perfume, hair products, cosmetics etc..) before putting on your jewellery — make sure everything is dry before adding those finishing touches. You may not realise it, but your daily-use lotions and creams may contain chemicals that can tarnish precious metals and damage the surface of pearls and gemstones if they come in contact.

The same caution is to be exercised to avoid contact with household cleaning products or indulging in your favourite sports and pastimes — it’s best to avoid wearing your fine jewellery while taking on any kind of intense physical activity such as sports or household chores or taking a dip in the pool this summer.

If your jewellery does come into contact with any harsh chemical, rinse them under warm running water and pat them dry with a tissue or soft cloth.

5. Follow the Store's Warranty Conditions

Most jewellery stores would offer a limited liability warranty for the products sold by them and the duration and condition of these warranties may vary. It is best to request to see a warranty statement if one is not offered beforehand. Warranties usually cover manufacturing and material defects but will not cover normal wear and tear, loss, accidental damage, theft and damage arising out of improper care or rough handling or impact.

Warranties will also not cover dents, nicks or scratches as a result of normal wear & tear. Also not covered would be loss due to stones dropping out due to damaged prongs or by worn out prongs due to repeated abrasion.

Hence it is always prudent to monitor the condition of your jewellery and inspect it often for any loose or abraded prongs or visible physical damage (keep a picture of your jewellery piece when you first received it for comparison). Know your rights but do not forget your obligations.

6. When in Doubt, Speak to a Professional

Sales assistant showing jewellery to customer

If the warranty does not specify a specific timeframe for inspections, it is advisable to assume that they should be conducted at least every six months but no later than once in twelve months. You can always send your jewellery in between visits for a professional clean and wear and tear check, if you feel it is required. This usually includes a close look at the setting to check for any loose claws or metal weakness.

All traces of dirt, superficial scratches and marks that accumulate from daily use can be easily polished away and your jewellery can be made to look as good as new!