Cleaning

Cleaning Your Jewelry

For those that wear jewelry regularly, keeping your jewelry clean and looking like new requires regular maintenance. Here are some general guidelines that may help:

• Remove Your Jewelry
  Always remove all jewelry before showering, bathing, or swimming. Soap can cause a film to form, making jewelry appear dull and diminishing the shine and color. Chlorine can destroy your jewelry, as it literally eats it away. When silver is exposed to chlorine, the chemical has an oxidizing effect on the metal, causing the metal to turn an unsightly blackened color.
• Use Jewelry Polishing Cloths for Best Results
  Polish silver or gold with a jewelry polishing cloth for best results. You can use a svelte or an old diaper, but the professional cloths are the best. Use of tissue or paper towels can cause scratches because of fibers in these products.
• Clean Your Jewelry With Care
  Cleaning your own jewelry regularly can keep it looking good, but be careful. You can either purchase commercial cleaners from a jeweler or make a cleaning a solution yourself. Rubbing alcohol can work wonders, but bleach can literally destroy jewelry so avoid it at all costs.
• Use Warm Water to Clean Jewelry
  Using warm water is the best bet when cleaning your own jewelry. However water can cause reaction with the cleaning fluids resulting in discoloration and Sterling Silver is especially susceptible to this problem. Should this occur, this problem can be remedied by buffing and the application of a tarnish remover.
• Avoid Cleaning Damaged Jewelry
  Never clean any jewelry that is damaged, cracked or broken, since the additional handling is likely to exacerbate or worsen the problem. If you find that a piece of jewelry is damaged, it should be set aside for repair as soon as possible.
• Inspect Your Jewelry Regularly
  Just like anything else, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When having your jewelry professionally cleaned, we inspect each piece under a microscope before and after for any possible problems. Addressing signs of damage, or loose gemstones will prevent any further damage or loss and keep all of your pieces in excellent shape for years.

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Caring For Your Diamond

Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance found on Earth, but unfortunately they aren’t indestructible. Diamonds can scratch, chip, fall out of a setting, and get dirty. Luckily, there are measures you can take to care for your diamond and prevent some of these things.

• Preventing Scratches
  Store your diamond jewelry in a secluded spot, not with other jewelry. If you store your diamond ring in a box with all of your other jewelry, it’s possible for the diamond to get scratched. A fabric-lined jewelry case with separate compartments is ideal for diamond jewelry storage.
• Preventing Chips
  Do not wear your diamond when engaging in hand related labor, such as cleaning, lifting or washing the dishes. Activities that may require your hands to bump into things put your diamond at risk of being chipped.
• Preventing Loss
  Inspect your diamond regularly to ensure the setting is secure. Make sure you promptly bring it to a see a professional at The Diamond Center if you notice any signs of damage or loosening of the prongs.
• Preventing Dirt Accumulation
  Be sure not to handle your diamond too often. The oil and dirt from your fingers can alter the appearance of the diamond. Mix warm water with a few drops of ammonia and soak your diamond in it. For more extensive cleaning, gently scrub your diamond with an old toothbrush. For the best cleaning, take your diamond to a jeweler for a professional cleaning.