Diamond Care
Even though you often wear your diamond ring each and every day, you should still take steps to look after all your diamond jewellery. Whilst a diamond is the hardest natural gemstone known to man, it still requires care and attention. After all, a diamond engagement ring, diamond ring or other piece of diamond jewellery is a token of love.
Your Diamond Engagement Ring
A diamond engagement ring comprises 2 components. Firstly, the diamond of course. Secondly, the precious metal ring mount. This is usually made from 18kt white gold, 18kt yellow gold or platinum. Platinum is the most durable of all precious metals and provides a secure setting for your diamond. Although platinum is extremely tough due to its density, your platinum ring will still scratch, but this does not affect the integrity of the metal itself or indeed the diamond ring itself.
Protection
Whilst gold and platinum provide very secure settings for diamonds, severe knocks or blows could dislodge the diamond. Therefore, you should minimise the risk of this by not wearing your diamond engagement ring when doing activities such as gardening and DIY, washing up or sport, for example.
Exposure due to perspiration and household chemicals during ordinary wear, such as chlorine and hairspray, can accumulate and dull the surface of a diamond, as these substances tend to build up over time, and dirt etc will adhere to the diamond and to the diamond ring.
When storing your diamond engagement ring, you should keep it in a fabric-lined jewellery box, and not ‘bundled together’ with other pieces of diamond jewellery which could scratch the precious metal.
Cleaning
Cleanliness affects a diamond's beauty. A clean diamond is more brilliant and fiery than the same diamond when it is dirty. Dirt or grease on the top of a diamond reduces its lustre, whilst dirt or grease on the bottom of the diamond interferes with the diamond's brilliance and sparkle. One of the most convenient methods of cleaning your diamond ring is to use any ammonia based household cleaner, which is placed in an airtight jar. You should leave your diamond jewellery to soak overnight to get the maximum benefit from the cleaning solution. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and gently clean the diamond ring, making sure you also clean inside the diamond setting itself. Make sure that when doing this, you use a bowl filled with warm water and do not clean your diamond rings or diamond jewellery over an open sink. When finished, simply dip the diamond ring in some cold water and pat dry.
