Diamonds can be considered an investment and instant heirloom, which is why taking care of your diamond jewelry in Chicago ensures it could last for generations to come. Like other types of jewelry, such as gold and silver, there are dos and don’ts you must follow to extend the life of a diamond ring, bracelet, necklace, or earrings.
Do:
- Have your diamonds insured – This protects your investment should the diamond jewelry gets damaged, lost, or stolen. You should also have your jewelry appraised every 5 years, since the value of diamonds go up in time.
- Keep them clean – You’ll read plenty of tips on how to clean diamond-encrusted jewelry, but your best bet is to stick with hot water, mild soap and a toothbrush reserved solely for your jewelry. Use a soft, lint-free cloth when drying to prevent scratching the stone.
- Avoid getting diamond jewelry in contact with hard surfaces – While diamonds are one of the hardest natural materials in the world, they can still be chipped when knocked against hard surfaces. Remove them when participating in contact sports or other physical activities.
- Visit the jeweler regularly – Cleaning is just one part of diamond maintenance. A professional jeweler can inspect if diamonds and their prongs aren’t loose and ensure hairline cracks in the shank are repaired.
Don’t:
- Remove your jewelry in public – One of the most common ways women lose their diamond engagement rings is by removing them in public restrooms before washing hands. Regret won’t change anything if the ring accidentally goes down the drain.
- Wear diamonds while cooking – The brilliance of diamonds are affected when grease and oil stick to the diamond’s surface. Unfortunately, diamonds can be magnets for grease, so make sure to remove your jewelry before cooking or eating oily food.
- Use chemicals in cleaning jewelry – Bleach and other harsh chemicals can dull the finish of your jewelry and change the quality of porous-colored gemstones (such as emeralds). This also pertains to chemicals found on lotion, cosmetics, perfumes and hairspray, so avoid putting on diamond jewelry while applying these beauty products.
- Wear diamonds in spas, hot tubs and swimming pools – Chlorine may not harm the diamond per se, but it could affect the metals used to set the diamonds and lead to loosening the stones in their place.
A diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth, but it still needs some loving if you want to extend its life for decades or longer. For more tips on how to take care of your diamond jewelry, visit Albert’s Diamond Jewelers.
