What Is the Home Remedy for Cleaning Diamonds?
Diamonds are a well-loved gemstone, popular in engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry. Part of what makes diamonds so special is their remarkable optical characteristics. If not properly cared for and cleaned, however, the even the loveliest diamonds can lose their sparkle. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Soap and Water
-
The first thing you need to clean your diamonds is a small bowl of hot water. Be sure to choose sterile or distilled water to ensure no chlorine is in the mix. Place the water in the microwave if necessary to achieve a high temperature. Then add 1 tsp. of mild liquid dish washing detergent and stir. When the detergent has been thoroughly mixed in, add the jewelry. Allow the diamonds to soak for five to 10 minutes, then remove the jewelry from the solution and scrub it gently with a soft toothbrush. Remove the soapy water from the bowl and fill with cool, clean water. Dip the diamonds into the clean water to rinse. Pat dry with a clean, lint-free towel.
Glass Cleaner
-
An ammonia-based glass cleaner can also be used to clean diamonds. Simply place the jewelry on a clean cloth and spray liberally with the cleaner. Allow the jewelry to sit for approximately five minutes, then gently rub with a dry cloth to buff away surface debris. You can also diluted ammonia by mixing a quarter-cup of household ammonia with a quarter-cup of distilled water and placing the diamonds into the solution. Allow the jewelry to soak for one minute before removing. Brush surfaces with a soft toothbrush and rinse. Dry diamonds with a soft, clean cloth.
-
Warning
-
Use only distilled or sterile water when cleaning diamond jewelry, as the chlorine found in most tap water can cause discoloration to the jewelry setting. Additionally, avoid using any household cleaner that contains chlorine bleach on diamond jewelry. The bleach can harm the metal portion of the ring or damage the setting that holds the diamond in place, causing the loss of the stone.
-
References
- Photo Credit diamond image by dana nicolescu from Fotolia.com
