If you like pieces of jewelry, you know how the magnetic pull of its brilliance keeps you coming back for more. Most people buy even more diamonds just by looking at beautiful diamond jewelry in a store.
Diamonds are incomparable to other gems because of their hardness. It is also accepted as a symbol of enduring love. This could be why individuals use different shapes or cuts of diamond rings for engagement.
How do Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle?
Because diamonds are hard and durable, people often ignore taking care of their diamonds. They are ignorant of a fact. While diamonds do not lose their radiance, they do become dirty or dull. Even the most luxurious jewelry fades with time.
Diamond earrings, rings, and necklaces come into contact with a wide range of dirt and germs on a daily basis. As a direct consequence, they retain dirt over time. The culprits for gunking up jewelry are;
- Soaps and lotions.
- Taking showers while wearing jewelry.
- Sweat build-up.
- Sleeping with your jewelry.
When diamond jewelry becomes dirty, it may lose its shine and glitter. Jewelry, such as rings, can also house bacteria in some situations.
The first option is to get your jewelry professionally cleaned. This may be too costly for you. In fact, many people would rather buy new sparkling jewelry.
You do not have to pay through the nose to have your jewelry professionally cleaned. You can keep your pieces in the best condition by cleaning them yourself at home.
Major Tools You Need to Make Your Diamonds Extra Sparkly
It’s always advisable to buy diamonds from companies that sell the best types of diamonds. These companies will sell you high-quality items that will last long.
However, even the best diamonds gets dull if not maintained. You can clean the diamond yourself or consult professionals. Diamond professionals can also give you advice on how to clean your diamond jewelry.
They can also render professional diamond cleaning services to you. If you can not afford the service of a professional diamond cleaner, you can DIY. Here are some tools and how you can use them:
Ammonia
Ammonia is an effective tool in cleaning all types of diamond jewelry and enhancing its sparkle. Soak your diamond jewelry in a cup of warm water and a quarter cup of ammonia for around 15 minutes.
Next, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to carefully scrub away any dirt or grime. Aim for dirt that has remained on the surface and in the crevices of the piece’s setting. Then, wipe the pieces gently with a soft cloth after rinsing them in warm water. The natural return of the radiance of your diamond jewelry will leave you impressed after this.
Use ammonia with caution. Ammonia will make your diamonds shine. However, it is a powerful substance that can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. It can cause damage to your jewelry. Here are some cautions before using ammonia for your precious diamond pendant or ring;
- Keep ammonia separate from bleach at all times. When the two mix, they produce toxic gas.
- Ammonia should never be used on clarity-enhanced diamonds. Ammonia can eat through and ruin the protective covering or resin on these stones.
- Ammonia can ruin and discolor your metal and wear down your gemstones. It can cause fracture-filled diamonds to appear cloudy over time if used in excess. This ammonia cleaning approach should be reserved for a special jewelry treatment like once every 3 to 4 months.
Furthermore, though ammonia is strong, it does not kill germs. It only enhances sparkling.
White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar is a must-have item for do-it-yourself cleaning. In addition to diamonds, you can use them for your precious metals like gold too.
Fill a measuring glass with a cup of water and heat it in the microwave until it boils. Remove the glass from the microwave and soak the ring in the water for 5 minutes.
Remove the ring from the hot water and replace it with a half cup of vinegar. Allow the ring to soak in the vinegar for another 5 minutes then take it out.
In a small measuring cup, mix a tiny amount of baking soda and water. It should look like watered-down toothpaste. Then cover the ring completely with the paste. After this, remove the excess mixture for the next step.
Scrub the diamond jewelry gently in small circular motions. Use a very soft toothbrush, going into every nook and crevice. In the measuring glass, heat another cup of water. After rinsing the ring with tap water to remove most of the soda scrub, soak it for another 5 minutes.
Rinse the ring under warm tap water after taking it from the last hot water bath. While rinsing, gently remove any residual soda and filth with the toothbrush. Using vinegar and baking soda together has more effect than just using vinegar alone.
Baking Soda
Most people believe that this is the most effective jewelry cleaning tip. This is because it works on all types of materials. Wrap a bowl with aluminum foil and add the following ingredients;
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of dish soap
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Stir the solution thoroughly, then drop your jewelry pieces in. Allow them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes in the solution. Using a soft piece of cloth, rinse and dry. Your jewelry will regain its luster and appear sparkling again and even become more sparkling.
Conclusion
Precious stones begin to accumulate dust and grime under the impact of human body heat. Body oils, moisture, and care and ornamental cosmetics are contributing factors. As a result, the sparkle of these precious stones fades. Dust clogs up under the fastening and the metal loses its brilliance.
While using these tools in this article, you must handle them with care. Otherwise, you will damage your precious diamond wedding band or engagement ring. You may not be able to use these tools correctly as explained in this article so please proceed with caution.
If this is the case, wait until you have saved enough money to hire a professional diamond jewelry cleaner. Don’t give up on your precious engagement diamond ring. It can be restored to its former glory and with the right procedure, it can even shine better than it ever did.
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