Caring for Your Diamonds

Diamonds really are forever, but they can be damaged over time if they are not properly cared for. After you’ve gone through the trouble and expense of choosing a diamond and selecting a setting for that diamond, you definitely need to know how to best care for it.

Diamonds are believed to be indestructible, and this just is not true. If a diamond was indestructible, it couldn’t be cut.

If a diamond is hit hard enough, it will shatter. At the very least, it may chip or crack. For this reason, remove diamonds when doing tasks that put it at risk of being hit or knocked around.

You probably know that diamonds cut glass. But diamonds also cut other diamonds. If two diamonds rub together, they can scratch each other. They can even change each others shape, which is actually a process that is used to create the girdle of the diamond…two diamonds spin in opposite directions, rubbing against each other. Make sure that you store your diamonds in a place where they do not touch each other.

You can clean your diamond at home using commercial jewelry cleansers and a jewelers polishing clothe. However, you should bring your diamond to a professional jeweler that you trust every three months or so for a professional cleaning as well.

Make it a point to check the setting for your diamond at least every couple of weeks or month. Prongs bend or become loose, and your diamond can easily fall from its setting and become lost. A good jeweler will check the mount when you bring it in for cleaning.

Avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansing products. Products such as these not only have the potential for damaging your setting, they can also change the color of your diamond forever.

Make sure that your diamond is insured. While some diamonds are irreplaceable for sentimental reasons, they are all replaceable in terms of monetary value. Have your diamond appraised, and get it insured.

Store your diamond in a safe place. A jewelry box is adequate, but for expensive diamonds, that jewelry box needs to be locked in a safe or a safe deposit box at your bank. Don’t take any chances.