Cleaning your diamonds: Tips and Tricks
Diamonds, particularly those in our everyday jewelry like engagement rings and tennis necklaces, are prone to losing their shine due to daily exposure to dirt, lotion, and other residues. With this easy step-by-step guide, you can effectively clean your diamond at home with household items you already have on hand. Regular cleaning ensures your beloved diamonds will continue to sparkle.
1. Prepare the Workspace: Start by plugging up the drain in your kitchen or bathroom sink. This prevents any mishaps with small jewelry pieces such as an engagement ring.
2. Gather Supplies: Gather everything you need - warm/hot water, a mug, dish soap (I use Hudson and Grace) and a soft toothbrush.
3. Create the Cleaning Solution: In the mug, add a pump of dish soap then fill it with warm/hot water, ensuring it’s enough to cover the ring completely.
4. Soak the Ring: Carefully, place your jewelry piece into the mug filled with the soapy water. It's important to let it soak for about 20-30 minutes. This soak helps loosen any dirt, oils, or residue trapped around the diamond and in the setting.
5. Scrub with a Toothbrush: With the ring still wet, take a soft toothbrush and wet it with the soapy water from the mug. Gently, scrub underneath the diamond, focusing on the bottom table of the stone where dirt and oils tend to accumulate. This helps to degunk and remove any remnants of hand lotion or soap.
6. Final Rinse - Cool Rinse: After scrubbing, rinse the ring once more under cool water to ensure all soap and residue were completely removed.
7. Bonus Step - Cool Air From Your Blow Dryer: Use your hair dryer on the cool setting to blast away any water droplets and get a really clean finish. If you don't have a blow dryer handy, you can finish with a drying of your piece with a paper towel.
Remember, that nothing will clean your diamond like a professional jeweler can! I recommend stopping into a local jewelry shop or coming in to see us (if you're local to southern California) for a professional cleaning at least once a year.
Enjoy! X. Octavia