Gem name: diamond jewellery

Keeping Your Diamond Jewellery Beautiful With Proper Care and Cleaning

No matter how controversial they become, diamonds remain cultural touchstones (pun intended!) for glamour and style in the First World.

Diamonds have been valued and sought after for so much of human history that no amount of bad publicity is able to tarnish and diminish the value of these stones. The diamond gemstone is tied to the custom of engagement before marriage so much so that in some places it is all but unthinkable to consider oneself engaged unless a diamond ring has been purchased. The appeal is probably due to the gem's appearance, at least in part. It has a higher than normal ability to disperse light when compared to other clear gemstones.

Diamonds do not come cheap. The better the cut and clearer the color the more expensive a diamond will be. Diamonds that are pure enough and clear enough are considered valuable enough to be investment vehicles. A diamond engagement ring, depending on the quality of the diamond in it, can cost several thousand dollars. This can be a sizable portion of a married couple's finances and as diamonds can increase in value over time, a diamond ring of good quality can represent a kind of financial investment.

Cleaning diamond jewellery

As diamonds usually represent a substantial investment they must be protected. The value of the diamond is in its appearance, therefore the diamond should be kept looking as lustrous and brilliant as possible. Unfortunately, wearing a diamond will cause a buildup of grime and filth on the surface of the diamond making the light it refracts seem dimmer and making the diamond less attractive. Diamonds should be cleaned so as to preserve their beauty. Most people own their diamonds to wear them, so knowing how to clean the gemstones is important if not essential. It should be noted that using soap is not a good idea as soap can leave residue behind which will also dull the color of the diamond.

Cleaning methods: There are diamond jewellery cleaning kits available for those who want to keep their cleaning safe and simple. Soak the jewellery in a solution of ammonia and water. This may or may not be enough to clean the diamond. If necessary, scrub the diamonds with a brush that has soft bristles. Use tweezers to remove hair and any other organic matter stuck in the settings. Use a lint free cloth to dry the jewellery.

Diamond care

Avoiding the use of any substance that might cause a grimy buildup while wearing the ring is a good idea. Products that might leave a residue on the stone include certain hair-care products and soaps.

Note: soaking in an ammonia solution is not recommended for diamonds that have been filled. This kind of filling is termed "fracture-filling" and ammonia can adversely affect the substance used to fill the gemstone.

If they are properly cared for, a diamond and the jewellery that holds it is the kind of investment that can be handed down over generations. In this case the phrase "diamonds are forever" is applicable.