Diamonds are forever, but they must be kept clean to assure their most brilliant performance; put away carefully when you are not wearing them and, packed well to travel.
Cleaning Your Diamonds
Diamonds get smudged, soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps, even the natural skin oils, put film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Chemicals in the air can discolor the mountings of precious jewelry.
Diamonds should be cleaned so that the maximum amount of light can then enter and return in a fiery brilliance. It just takes a little care to keep them that way. Here are four ways to clean diamonds. One of them is pretty sure to fit the time, the place and the job.
1. The Detergent Bath
Prepare a small bowl of warm suds with any of the mild liquid detergents used in the home. Brush the pieces with an eyebrow brush while they are in the suds. Then transfer them to a wire tea strainer and rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft, lint-less cloth.
2. The Cold Water Soak
Make a half-and-half solution of cold water and household ammonia in a cup. Soak the pieces for 30 minutes. Lift out and tap gently around the back and front of the mounting with an eyebrow brush. Swish in the solution once more and drain on tissue paper.
3. The Quick-Dip Method
Buy one of the brand-name liquid jewelry cleaners, with its kit, choosing the kind most useful to you. Read the label and follow its instructions. Don't touch your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle your jewelry by its edges.
4. The Ultrasonic Cleaner
There are many types of these small machines on the market that will clean any piece of jewelry that can be dipped in a liquid in a matter of minutes. They consist of a metal cup that you fill with water and detergent. When the machine is turned on, a high-frequency motion creates the cleaning action. Since each machine is slightly different, read the instructions very carefully before use.
5. See Your Jeweler
Putting Diamonds Away
When you are not wearing diamonds and precious jewelry, they still require attention.
Keep your precious pieces in a fabric-lined jewel case, or a box with compartments or dividers. If you prefer to use ordinary boxes, wrap each piece individually in tissue paper. Don't jumble your diamond pieces in a drawer or jewelry case, because diamonds can scratch other jewelry - and can even scratch each other.
Traveling with Diamonds
The packing of your diamonds and other precious pieces for travel should be given care.
There are many types of carry-alls, specially designed for jewelry travel, available in all price ranges. They come in all sizes, shapes and patterns. Most have velvet pads inside to attach pins and earrings, and special compartments for bracelets and necklaces.
Pack a small plastic bottle of prepared jewelry cleaner with your cosmetics. Then you can give your precious pieces "shine-up" any time.
Don't leave your ring on the rim of a sink when you remove it to wash your hands. It can easily slip down the drain. When you are away from home, you might leave it and lose it.
What to do About Watches
A wrist watch should not be "dipped" in any liquid. The best method for diamond watches is a jeweler's polishing cloth for all metal parts of the watch and bracelet. But go lightly on the diamonds so as not to loosen their settings
Take Care of Your Ring
Even though you wear your diamond engagement ring 24 hours a day, you should still give a thought to its care.
Don't wear it when you are doing rough work. Even though a diamond is durable, it can be chipped by a hard blow.
Don't let your jewelry come in contact with chlorine bleach when you are doing household chores
Do see your jeweler at least once a year and have him or her check you ring and other precious pieces for loose prongs and wear of mountings. You usually get a professional "shine-up" too.
Enjoy your diamonds. Wear them with joy - which will be all the greater if you take care of them. |
