When you think of diamonds, something sparkling and fabulously expensive immediately comes to mind. And this is not far from the truth: the beauty of these amazing stones lies precisely in their unclouded radiance and impeccable transparency.
The purer and larger the stone, the more expensive it is - this is an axiom. But over time, even a premium diamond can become visually cloudy. And the point is not that you were given a fake or that the stone is “old” - it’s just that the diamond is covered with a layer of dirt and needs to be cleaned. By the way, did you know that a cloudy stone visually looks smaller than its shining twin?
Why you need to clean your jewelry
Gold rings, earrings, chains, pendants, bracelets are constantly in contact with the skin and are exposed to various external influences. Particles of dust, grease, residues of care or decorative cosmetics and other contaminants get on jewelry. This causes the gold to fade, and the stones gradually darken and lose their shine.
Contaminated diamonds appear smaller and less attractive. In addition, dirty deposits on earrings or a chain can cause skin itching, irritation and cause skin inflammation. Therefore, it is necessary to process jewelry as often as possible. Cleaning your diamond jewelry yourself is easy.
Diamonds are resistant to most alkalis and acids. The stones can withstand temperature changes and are resistant to high humidity. But despite this, you need to care for the stones carefully.
Precautionary measures
To prevent jewelry from darkening and gemstones from looking like simple pieces of glass, you should not wear jewelry in hot weather, or wear it to the beach, pool or sauna. You need to remove the rings when washing and washing your hands with hot water.
At least once every 6 months to a year, earrings or rings with diamonds should be taken to a workshop, where the jeweler will clean the plaque using ultrasound, adjust the stones, and disguise scratches.
It is impossible to do this on your own without special tools.
How to properly clean diamonds
Simple rules will help you maintain the attractive appearance of precious stones:
· Clean your diamond jewelry every 2-3 months. Give them to a jeweler for processing twice a year.
· A thick, lint-free cloth is suitable for cleaning stones. Do not choose cotton pads or fluffy napkins for these purposes, as they will leave fibers on the stone.
· Do not clean stones with a hard toothbrush or products with a high alkaline content. Use small synthetic brushes and mild baby cream soap or handmade soap.
· Do not clean diamonds with abrasive compounds. Abrasives can damage the surface of the stones and make them cloudy.
· Do not wash diamond jewelry in hot water, as this will cause the precious inserts to stop shining.
Don't forget about the frame, especially if it is made of gold or platinum - these precious metals require delicate care. They also cannot be cleaned with aggressive compounds.
In addition, in jewelry, diamonds are often combined with other stones, such as emeralds or pearls, which must be handled with care. In some cases, cleaning precious inserts should be left to a professional.
Necessary equipment and funds
To properly clean diamonds in gold at home without causing harm, the jewelry must be prepared first. To prevent traces of fat from the skin from getting onto the surface of stones and metal, it is advisable to clean the products using rubber gloves.
To clean the jewelry without leaving scratches, you will need:
- soft fabric - velvet, flannel;
- small container for detergents;
- a special brush for cleaning precious stones;
- mild detergent.
You should not try to clean stones with a regular toothbrush. Even the softest bristles can leave scratches on the stone. It is better to choose neutral detergents - baby, liquid or cream soap. You should not take the first dishwashing detergent or laundry soap you come across. Their high alkali content can have a detrimental effect on the condition of stone and metal. Before purchasing, it is advisable to read the composition of the drug on the packaging.
Method 1: liquid soap
At home, diamonds can be cleaned using a soap solution. As a rule, liquid products or crushed soap are used, previously dissolved in warm water.
To make diamond jewelry sparkle, soak it in soapy water for a few minutes. First mix the soap with water until foam forms. Remove heavy dirt using a soft cloth or sponge. After cleaning the jewelry, rinse with running water and blot with a dry cloth.
Pay attention to the setting of the stone
The setting of a diamond in earrings, a ring or other jewelry can become loose over time. You can find out how firmly the diamond sits in the jewelry during cleaning. Carefully inspect the fastenings in the jewelry, as well as the clasps, so that they do not open at the most inopportune time.
There can be only one diamond. Then it’s clear how to clean a gold ring with it. What to do if your jewelry is studded with diamond chips? It will be a little more difficult to clean gold jewelry. The fact is that the crumbs are embedded (soldered) into gold, and the fastenings may not be the most powerful.
First and most important
– always buy rings with diamonds or diamond chips only in trusted stores, where they will give you a one hundred percent guarantee that the diamond chips will not fall out of the ring.
Second
– do not use a toothbrush for cleaning. Mechanical cleaning should be carried out only with a soft cloth and after soaking.
Third
– do not use chalk to polish stones.
Fourth
– be sure to check each time for the presence of stones in the jewelry.
Method 2: ammonia and ammonia
Dissolve nine drops of ammonia in a glass of water and stir well. Place a ring, earrings, pendant or chain into the resulting liquid and leave for 20–30 minutes. After cleaning with ammonia, place the jewelry in a soapy solution and clean off any remaining dirt with a brush or brush. After this, all that remains is to wash the product with clean water. Wear protective gloves when cleaning jewelry.
Treatment with ammonia restores the shine of gold jewelry with stones. To prepare a cleaning solution, take a glass of water, add two tablespoons of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (3%) to it. Place into the mixture. After half an hour, remove them and then wash them well with water.
Gentle cleaning methods
The methods listed above are not suitable for all cases. For example, it is better not to use them for jewelry with glued or large diamonds: water can get inside the product, and over time there is a risk of the stone falling out of the setting. You also need to use gentle cleaning methods for expensive and exclusive gold jewelry that you would hate to ruin.
Lipstick
Contains titanium dioxide, a substance that removes dark deposits from the surface of the product. To clean gold and diamonds, apply lipstick to a cotton swab and rub the item for 3-5 minutes. Then use a clean, dry cloth to clean the surface.
No need to choose long-lasting lipstick for cleaning!
Borax solution
Borax is commercially available in three forms:
- jewelry borax - you can buy it in specialized stores and workshops (it is advisable to purchase just such a borax);
- a solution of borax in glycerin - sold in a pharmacy under the name "Sodium tetraborate";
- as part of insecticidal preparations against cockroaches (this method of treatment is less preferable, since there is a risk of getting a burn to the mucous membrane when cleaning jewelry).
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Dip a cotton swab (or a toothpick with cotton wool at the end) into the borax solution and carefully wipe the frame and stone. Then the jewelry is quickly rinsed in cool water and dried with a cold hairdryer.
Toothpaste and alcohol
The paste contains fine abrasives that effectively remove dirt from the surface of the product. Apply the product to a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub the frame. Do not touch the diamonds. Remove toothpaste from the product with a damp swab.
To clean stones, use rubbing alcohol, vodka or cologne. Dampen a cotton swab (or take a ready-made alcohol wipe) and wipe the diamonds until they sparkle.
Finally, wipe the product with a dry soft cloth.
Method 5: special means
Professional jewelry cleaning products have a safe composition and high-tech formula. Thanks to particles of different dispersion, they remove dust, dirt, and grease well. As a result of the use of industrial compounds, the metals from which jewelry is made acquire a bright shine. Some compositions are capable of filling microcracks and returning natural radiance to precious stones.
Cleaning products in the form of solutions, pastes, foams, and sprays can be purchased at jewelry stores. There are also specialized cleansing shampoos, but they are more intended for use in professional cleaning installations, for example, ultrasonic washers or chambers.
Additional recommendations
Preventing pollution is much easier than eliminating it. Following simple rules will save money and preserve your decoration.
How to save the result
Over time, sweat particles, dirt from the environment and traces of cosmetics remain on the product. If you do not clean the product regularly, it will begin to oxidize. After a few years, it will appear as if the gold has turned black. It will lose its shine, become dull and inconspicuous. This can be avoided by following the rules of prevention:
- Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and cleaning. They will protect not only the jewelry, but also your skin.
- Remove earrings and rings before swimming in the sea or going to the pool.
- During active physical activity, it is also better to get rid of diamond jewelry.
- Do not apply cosmetics to gold. Even hand cream contains substances that can cause oxidative processes.
If a recently purchased piece of jewelry turns black, this indicates low quality metal. The product should be taken for examination.
Method 7: Coca-Cola
The carbonated soft drink is renowned for its anti-corrosion and cleaning properties. This soda is often used to remove rust and limescale. How it works? It's all about phosphoric and citric acids included in the product.
The active substances in the drink are good at removing dirt from jewelry. Pour 0.5 liters of cola into a deep container and place a diamond ring there. After 30–40 minutes, remove the jewelry, rinse with cool water and wipe with a dry cloth.
It is important to understand that you should use soda carefully. Not all diamond jewelry can withstand such an original cleaning.
Professional jewelry cleaning products
In jewelry stores you can purchase special cleaning products for diamond jewelry. The most popular of them:
- "Aladdin", which is often sold in a set with a container and a brush. No special skills are required to use; just hold the product in the product for some time and polish with a soft cloth at the end of the procedure.
- TOP BIO CLEANER Nano Brilliant is an expensive product that allows you to clean any, even the most stubborn stains without the risk of spoiling the beauty of your jewelry.
The decision on which diamond cleaning method to choose is up to you. Each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages, but differs in effectiveness. The most important thing in this matter is to take precautions and approach things wisely.
What cleaning method do you like best and what do you use? Share your opinion in the comments and don’t forget to repost. Best wishes.
How to Clean a Diamond Ring
To clean a complex ring shape, use small brushes or brushes.
· Prepare a warm soapy solution, place the diamond ring in it and leave it for a while.
· Gently brush the jewelry.
· Rinse the ring with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
Pay attention to fasteners, as well as decorative inserts and elements of complex shape. They tend to accumulate the most dust and dirt. To better clean dirt, take a cotton swab dipped in glycerin or alcohol.
What kind of soap can I use?
Oil released from the sebaceous glands of the skin forms an oily coating on gold and diamonds. Dust settles on the surface and the object begins to darken. The wedding ring is wiped with soda, but the abrasive material scratches the precious stone on the ring, and boiling water changes color. The soap is gentle, removes plaque from pearls and coral, topaz and diamonds, and leaves no marks on gold.
See also
How to properly and quickly clean a shell and the best methods at home
Children's
To restore shine to jewelry or remove stains on earrings or a pendant, heat water, fill a bowl with it, add a little baby soap, and whisk into foam. Gold items are dipped into the solution, wiped with a soft brush, after an hour, removed from the container, rinsed and placed on a napkin.
Dermatological
This type of soap consists of synthetic substances that have antibacterial properties. The detergent produces a small amount of foam, but disinfects and removes plaque that forms on gold jewelry.
Self made
The jewelry is cleaned of dirt with a paste prepared from water, chalk and grated soap, which is made from olive or castor oil and wax. Rub the stone and gold with the mixture and polish it to a shine with a dry cloth.
Liquid
Jewelry retains its beauty and sophistication when it is cared for regularly. You don’t have to seek help from a professional for a long time if you soak gold objects with an attached stone in a liquid soap that forms a thick foam. The plaque dissolves, and the dirt is easy to wipe off with a soft brush. The product is rinsed and dried with a napkin or cloth.
Cream soap
Rings and signet rings with loose diamond inserts should not be soaked in liquid composition. Such jewelry is cleaned with a special paste or wiped with a swab and soaked in cream soap.
How to clean gold with diamonds: nuances
Jewelry made from yellow or white gold is chemical resistant. All of the above cleaning methods will not damage the precious metal and stones. But in some cases, gold jewelry may lose its original shine. For example, when trying to clean them with baking soda.
To clean gold, you cannot use compositions containing abrasive particles. At home, you can clean gold jewelry with stones using onion juice, shampoo, alcohol or ammonia. Special pastes are also suitable for this purpose.
Rhodium gold can be washed with a sugar solution: dissolve 3 tsp in a glass of water. sugar and place the decoration in it for 10–12 hours. Rinse off the remaining sweet solution with running water.
When cleaning diamond jewelry, it is recommended to use soft brushes, brushes, sponges and cotton swabs, as well as lint-free wipes.
Toothpaste and liquid soap
When cleaning diamond rings, it is important to be careful to avoid accidentally damaging the gemstone. The easiest way is to prepare a warm cleaning solution. It helps well in cases where it is not possible to clean the ring with a soft cloth. Pour 5 ml of liquid soap (about a teaspoon) into a glass of water. Mix the liquid thoroughly until an airy soap foam appears. The decoration is lowered into it and left for 1.5 hours.
Once the dirt and dust on the surface of the gold softens, it will be easy to remove. The ring is removed and carefully washed with a brush. After processing, the diamond should shine. If this does not happen, you can repeat the procedure. At the end, the product is thoroughly rinsed with warm running water and wiped dry.
A good home remedy for cleaning jewelry is regular toothpaste. It should be chosen without any solid particles so as not to scratch the surface of the ring. Toothpaste contains soft substances that perfectly remove any plaque and dirt. After cleaning in this way, the gold begins to shine much brighter. You need to clean the jewelry within 10 minutes.
How not to clean diamonds
Due to improper cleaning using aggressive substances, a diamond can lose its beauty and shine. Do not use chlorine or iodine to clean gemstones as they may leave stains. What can ruin the appearance of diamonds:
· Chlorinated water. Contact with bleach causes diamonds to lose their shine, so it is better to use filtered or bottled water to rinse stones.
· Ultraviolet. When exposed to direct sunlight, diamonds begin to attract oil and dust particles.
· Remains of cosmetics. Fatty components in cosmetics contaminate and spoil precious stones. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize the contact of diamonds with creams, lotions and other cosmetics.
Also, do not use gasoline, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) and household cleaners. Abrasive products can scratch stones and dull them. It is forbidden to boil diamonds, as this will cause them to become dull. Neither chalk nor tooth powder is suitable for cleaning diamonds.
Take your jewelry to a jeweler once a year. The master will not only clean it using professional products, but also check the strength of the frame and fastenings, and, if necessary, polish and strengthen the product.
What should not be used to clean diamonds?
Among home remedies, there are substances that should absolutely not be used to clean diamonds. Their list includes:
- Soda. Soda is not used in powder form, only in solution. If you rub the jewelry with all your heart, the surface of the diamond will become cloudy and lose its shine, and the same will happen with gold.
- Iodine. Penetrating into microcracks in the stone, iodine changes its color. Changes cannot be corrected. When exposed to iodine, the gold frame darkens.
- Vinegar. By aggressively affecting the surface of diamond and gold, vinegar causes the stone to darken and oxidize the precious metal.
- Chlorine and products containing it. If your ring comes into contact with such a product, it will forever lose its shine and transparency.
- Glass cleaning products. Diamond is not glass! If you wash it with a glass cleaner, it will turn into a whitish misunderstanding, in which little of the luxurious beauty of the gem will remain.
How to properly store diamonds
Diamonds should be protected from direct sunlight, as well as bleaches, powders and other harsh chemicals. It is recommended to store diamond jewelry in closed boxes lined on the inside with soft material, such as velor or velvet. Velvet bags will also work.
It is best to store jewelry separately from each other. So, different diamond rings should not touch each other. You should not leave diamond jewelry for a long time in rooms with high humidity.
Do not store diamond jewelry near heating appliances. It is also undesirable for stones to lie next to pearls. You can put a bag of silica gel in your jewelry box to absorb excess moisture.
Reasons for tarnishing
Gold is a fairly soft precious metal. To create jewelry with diamonds, the highest quality material is used. To give strength and hardness, a small amount of copper or silver is added to the alloy. However, over time, the product may fade and change color.
The main reasons for this include:
- constant contact with human skin, where there are secretions of the sebaceous and sweat glands;
- interaction with cosmetics used by the owner of the ring;
- city street dust;
- home dirt.
Under the influence of these unfavorable factors, the metal becomes dark, and the diamond loses its brightness and transparency.
Careful care and storage of rings with precious stones
With regular wear, diamond jewelry becomes less attractive. The reason is simple - the formation of an invisible coating of fatty film and other contaminants. This results in reduced shine. To ensure that a brilliant-cut diamond ring retains its properties for a long time, you need to follow the recommendations:
- do not forget in the bathroom: you should prevent constant exposure to moisture on the stone; if the drops dry on it, this will help reduce the intensity of the shine;
- store separately in a box with soft upholstery inside or in a fabric bag: to prevent jewelry from being scratched, you need to prevent its contact with hard surfaces, since professional polishing can change the quality of the cut and the size of the stone, in addition, it is necessary to reduce the length of time the diamond stays on the sun, because exposure to ultraviolet radiation promotes the evaporation of diamond - depressions appear on the surface (the result of research by Australian scientists from Macquarie University);
- protect from chemicals and acids: if the jewelry is encrusted with a natural diamond, acids will not spoil it, however, gold containing additives is unstable to aggressive environments, and therefore the ring should be kept away from chemicals;
- remove jewelry during sports and cosmetic procedures: components in sweat and hand skin care products contribute to a change in the color of gold, the stone becomes covered with a fatty film;
- do not wear in bathhouses or saunas: temperature changes increase the risk of cracks forming inside the stone; diamonds should not be exposed to high temperatures.
Important! Hot water will darken the diamond and will not recover: first, the shine decreases, and with constant exposure to high temperature, the gem darkens.
Jewelry with precious stones loses its appeal without proper care
