Marilyn Monroe was right; diamonds ARE a girl’s best friend. So, be a good friend and keep them looking beautiful by taking the time to polish them up – it’s easier than you think! Here are 5 simple steps provided by Leibsh & Co. on how you can keep your diamonds clean without the hassle of having to take them to a jeweler:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Jewelry Cloth – A jewelry cloth is best to wipe the diamond clean before and after the scrubbing. If a jewelry cloth or flannel cloth is not available, a simple piece of cotton can be substituted.
Jewelry Brush – A jewelry cloth is critical to ensure you have wiped the diamond clean of all debris. If a jewelry brush is not available, a SOFT-bristled toothbrush can be substituted.
Solution – The solution is critical to help loosen minerals of dirt from the diamond jewelry. Depending on what you are cleaning, you may have to modify the magic recipe.
- For diamond jewelry use hot water and a detergent-free soap, such as dishwashing soap. Ammonia is best for diamonds, but it can potentially detract from the color of the metals.
- For loose diamonds use an ammonia and warm water solution. It should be made of 3 parts water and 1 part ammonia. If straight ammonia is not available, use a window cleaning solution. Interesting enough, window cleaner is made of the exact combination of ammonia and water required.
Step 2: Be Sure the Stones are Secure
Before beginning the cleaning process, make sure that all diamonds are properly set in place. This is a simple check that anyone can do by simply making sure the stones are well fastened. Scrubbing jewelry that has loose stones could potentially damage the stone, or even worse you can accidentally lose the stone. If a loose stone is found, don’t mess around. Get the piece over to a jewelry company that you trust to ensure the stones are properly set back into place.
*Once the company is setting the stones, cleaning will most likely be thrown in free of charge.
Step 3: Remove Potentially Damaging Articles
Any hair or dust should first be removed from the diamond jewelry. These types of debris can actually scratch a diamonds surface while scrubbing. Just to be on the safe side, after removing any hair or dust, give it a good shake and hold it under running water.
Step 4: Cleaning the Jewelry
Dip the diamond jewelry in the prepared solution (of hot water and detergent-free soap) for 3-5 minutes. With a soft-bristled brush, begin scrubbing the diamond jewelry clean to rid of any unnecessary dirt or filth. This will remove the buildup in, on, and even under the diamond. Repeat this step 2 or 3 times to make sure that all the dirt is removed. Once clean, wipe the diamond dry with a jewelry cloth or a cotton pad.
Step 5: Storing Your Diamonds
When not wearing your jewelry, store it in a soft cloth bag or even the original box it was received in. Over time, everything gets dirty. However, by properly storing the diamond jewelry, it will help minimize any exposure to unwanted minerals. Keeping your jewelry clean will only ensure your piece radiates as it should.
