Oftentimes, we spend more time searching for and purchasing fine diamond jewellery than we spend caring for it. While diamonds may be the hardest material known to man, the metals and other gemstones associated with them are not so fortunate. Each gemstone and metal has its own strengths and weaknesses
When not to wear fine diamond jewellery or gemstones:
Don’t wear fine diamond jewellery while getting dressed, doing dishes, doing housecleaning, soaking in a spa or hot tub, or while taking a shower. Many personal care products such as hair spray, lotions, perfumes, and disinfectants discolour gemstones or loosen settings. Many gemstones are oil-treated and should not come in contact with soap or detergent.
When getting dressed, let all lotions, perfumes and hair spray dry completely before putting on gemstone or diamond jewellery.
How to clean fine diamond jewellery:
Use a polishing cloth to clean 18ct gold jewellery. Use mild soap like Sunlight liquid and warm water and gently wash afterwards. Rinse the jewellery piece thoroughly in lukewarm water. Some soft gemstones such as turquoise, freshwater pearls, and emeralds should never go into commercial jewellery cleaning solutions. Do not use toothpaste as its abrasives can damage softer gems and metals.
When in doubt, use only a clean, soft, dry cloth to clean your fine jewellery, especially pearls, they are extremely delicate and fragile. Even when cleaning harder gems, don’t use abrasive cleansers or coarse brushes because they may scratch gold or silver.
A note of warning:
A dirty piece of jewellery should be checked after cleaning to make sure the diamonds and semi-precious gemstones are still fastened securely. Oftentimes bent prongs or weakened settings are hidden by dirt, and a clean piece of jewellery may have loose stones. Also be sure to not clean your jewellery over the sink, in case you remove stones while cleaning.
If you’re worried about damaging your fine diamond jewellery, take it to a jeweller for cleaning. He or she can ascertain if a stone is loose before cleaning.
How to care for your White Gold Jewellery:
It is advisable to rhodium plate white gold regularly (frequency will depend on wear) to ensure the whiteness of the gold is held as white gold has a yellow overtone. Perfumes and other chemicals can tarnish the colour of white gold.
How to store fine diamond jewellery:
A sturdy jewellery case is the best way to store jewellery. A jewellery armoire will have hooks that allow necklaces and chains to hang, reducing the chances of them tangling and weakening. The case should be lined with soft material and have compartments allowing your fine jewellery pieces to be stored separately.
All of your jewellery, but fine diamond jewellery in particular, should be stored in compartments or in plastic Ziploc bags. The bags will slow down the tarnishing of silver and gold. Diamonds, being the hardest stone, will scratch or even chip other gemstones. If your jewellery box doesn’t provide separation, then use soft cloth to create layers.
Emeralds are almost always treated to improve clarity, and the wrong cleaning treatment, such as sonic cleaning, can leave them looking duller than before cleaning.
Considering the money spent on fine diamond jewellery, it’s worth the care you put into it to make it last and become heirloom pieces
