How to Handle Your Rings: When putting on or taking off a ring, avoid touching the gemstone directly. Instead, grip the band. This prevents damage to the delicate setting and keeps your fingers' oils off the stone, which can dull its shine.
The Breath and Buff Method: To keep your rings sparkling, simply breathe on them and wipe them with a soft cloth. This removes dirt and oils that can build up from handling. Even the slightest touch can leave a film on the gemstone, reducing its brilliance. By fogging up the stone with your breath and then buffing it, you can restore its luster.
Daily Cleaning and Care: Over time, jewelry can become tarnished due to dirt, oils, and oxidation. To keep your diamonds sparkling, regular cleaning is essential.
- A Simple Soak: The easiest way to clean jewelry is to soak it in warm, soapy water. Add a few drops of dish soap to a small bowl of warm water, let your jewelry soak for a few minutes, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.
- For Diamond-Only Pieces: A solution of equal parts ammonia and warm water can be used to clean diamond jewelry. Ensure the water is not too hot. Soak the jewelry for a few minutes, scrub gently, rinse, and dry.
Caution with Cleaning Solutions and Ultrasonic Cleaners:
- Commercial Cleaners: While commercial jewelry cleaners may seem convenient, they can be harsh on certain gemstones. Avoid soaking gemstones like emeralds or amethyst in these cleaners for more than 10 minutes, as they can damage the surface. Never use ammonia-based or harsh chemical cleaners on pearl jewelry.
- Ultrasonic Cleaners: While ultrasonic cleaners are effective for diamonds, they can damage other gemstones by enlarging existing cracks or causing the gemstone to fracture.
Ionic Cleaners: Ionic cleaners are a safer and more effective alternative for all types of jewelry. They are easy to use and affordable.
