How to clean a diamond at home: tips on how to care for rings, earrings and other diamond jewelry

Hello, our dear readers! What thoughts come to mind when you mention the word “diamond”? Something bright, shiny, shining and expensive. But does he always manage to maintain his original appearance? Reading this article will tell you about all the “tricks” that allow you to return diamonds to their famous shine, and will also tell you how to clean diamonds at home.

In addition, reading the article will help you understand what not to do when cleaning jewelry. We are sure this article will help you. We wish you a pleasant and exciting reading!

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.

What happens to stones and metal?

Let's start with gold. Gold is a noble metal, hence it is inert. This means that gold does not interact with acids and alkalis and does not form oxides or bases. Simply put, gold does not oxidize.

Interesting fact: back in the early 14th century, the theory of the absolute inertness of precious metals was refuted. It was discovered that the metal could be dissolved using aqua regia (a concentrated mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids).

In everyday life, your jewelry is unlikely to be exposed to a concentrated mixture of acids. And even if we allow this possibility, then you definitely will not be worried about the fate of the jewelry. After all, you have to save your skin.

Dust particles, moisture, bacteria... In addition, the skin itself secretes a secretion - oil and / or sweat. But we cleanse our skin using soaps and other cleaning products. What about the jewelry? At best, they only get a light rinse under running water.

So, what can settle on gold, changing its appearance:

dust;
droplets of moisture;
microorganisms;
sebum;
sweat.

Deposits cause the noble metal to tarnish, and in advanced cases it can even change its color.

What about diamonds? Diamonds are processed diamonds, precious stones. The primary material (diamond) is extremely durable and resistant to any kind of external influences. However, during its processing, the most durable layer of material is removed, and the secondary material (diamond) is more susceptible to various kinds of external influences.

For diamonds, all the same factors are scary as for gold. But it is worth emphasizing that stones are more “afraid” of moisture and skin secretions. In addition, various types of abrasive particles that can simply scratch a smooth surface also pose a danger.

So, the appearance of a diamond can be affected by:

increased air humidity;
direct contact with liquids;
excessive amount of skin secretion;
abrasive particles (powders, sand, etc.).

The simple rule that diamonds should not be worn to the beach is obvious. Next, we will tell you the basic secrets of caring for gold and diamonds, which will certainly prove useful.

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.

Features of cleaning white gold

Caring for white gold must be especially careful

All of the above methods also answer the question of how to clean white gold. The only thing worth clarifying is that this metal is an alloy of several metals, some of which are more valuable than traditional gold. And it requires even more delicate handling. Despite the protective plating, most often produced using rhodium, white gold is very soft, and the plating wears off over time. So the more careful you treat such products, the longer they will retain their exquisite decorative appearance. Do not use abrasive products to clean jewelry. These are various cleaning powders, hard and/or metal brushes; it is not advisable to use even a hard cloth.

How to give gold jewelry a special shine? To give jewelry that is free of grease stains, plaque and other contaminants an especially attractive shine, you can also use the “home” method. You will need 2-3 teaspoons of sugar, 200 grams of water and a suitable container. Decorations are placed in a solution of water and sugar for 12-15 hours (preferably overnight), then rinsed with water and rubbed with velvet. The diamond should also be carefully rubbed until shiny.

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.

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.

Cleaning with ammonia solution

Ammonia itself is a very good cleaning agent, but too active. Therefore, in order to prevent clouding of the stone, you should prepare a low-concentration ammonia-water solution (about a teaspoon per glass of water). Then you need to place the ring in a container with liquid for half an hour. After the allotted time has passed, remove the product and blot it with a cotton pad or absorbent cloth. After removing excess moisture, the jewelry should be polished with suede, felt or a special jewelry napkin.

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.

Professional gold cleaning products

Recently, in jewelry stores you can buy ready-made products for adding shine to gold jewelry. Among the most popular are the following manufacturers:

“Talisman” – paste, liquid, napkins;
"Aladdin" - solution;
“Sunny metal polish” – cream paste.

As a rule, the price of such funds ranges from 300-500 rubles. Jewelers recommend using special products when the darkening is too extensive and deeply ingrained.

These cosmetics are made on the basis of petroleum jelly, water, vegetable oil, and lead carbonate. This means that even with intense rubbing, the product will not be scratched.

In order to clean jewelry, you need to apply a small amount of paste to a soft brush and work the surface with rotational movements. After this, rinse the jewelry with vodka or medical alcohol to remove any remaining grease and wax, and leave to dry on a napkin.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Low degree of contamination

(loss of shine, uniform darkening of the metal)

Polishing is suitable for daily care of jewelry, giving items a mirror shine and removing minor dirt. It removes light plaque consisting of dust, sebum and cosmetics. The polishing method is also indicated if a darkened product needs to be returned to its original shade.

Polish your jewelry with a soft microfiber, flannel or suede cloth using gentle, one-directional strokes, applying only light pressure to the metal. To enhance the effect, use the following improvised means together with a soft cloth:

1. Lipstick

Apply lipstick to fabric or directly to metal and polish. There is no need to wash the jewelry after the procedure.

2. Table vinegar 9%

Rub the item with vinegar, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse the jewelry with water and dry.

Rub the product with juice, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse the jewelry with water and dry.

4. Egg white and beer solution

For the solution you will need the white of one egg and two teaspoons of beer. Rub the product with the prepared mixture, then rinse the jewelry with water and dry.

5. Magnesia, glycerin, ammonia.

Mix the ingredients in equal proportions, rub the product with the prepared composition, then rinse the jewelry with water and dry.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Care and storage rules

To ensure that gold jewelry does not lose its shine and looks elegant and elegant, you do not need to wear it in the heat, to the beach, to the sauna, or to the pool. It is not recommended to wash dishes in rings, since the water supplied to houses and apartments through pipes is chlorinated. White gold items with rhodium should be worn and removed carefully to avoid scratching the surface.

Once every 2 or 3 months, it is necessary to clean items from dirt and plaque; items with inserts of diamonds or other precious stones are advised to be taken to a workshop every six months. It is better to store white gold rings and earrings in a separate box with a velvet backing, rather than with other jewelry, which will protect them from cracks and scratches.

You should wash jewelry not in boiling water, but in warm water, wipe it dry, and do not leave it wet. It is not recommended to clean gold objects and stones with abrasive substances; only old stains should be wiped with ammonia. If you follow the rules of care and storage, jewelry made of precious metal with diamonds or diamonds will not lose their shine and attractive appearance for a long time.

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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.

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.

How not to spoil jewelry: secrets and tips

Cleaning and polishing gold jewelry at home is not that difficult. The main thing is to know how not to make things worse.

Cleaning and polishing gold jewelry at home is not that difficult

To ensure you get the desired result, consider the following:

When cleaning precious metal, do not use abrasive, aggressive products to remove dirt: powders and gels, cloth with hard pile.
Choose a brush for cleaning stones with soft natural bristles - it will effectively clean the surface of the gold without scratching it.
For purification, take purified water (at most distilled, at least passed through filters).
Before cleaning, check your jewelry for the integrity of the latch, other link connection, and stone attachment. This is an essential precaution, as the product may break during the cleaning process.
After cleaning, rinse the jewelry thoroughly in cool water, always running, and then dry it, polishing with a soft cloth.

Read more ► How to clean old coins from rust and oxidation at home: tips from numismatists

What is strictly prohibited from cleaning jewelry:

Baking soda - in pure, powdered form, it will cause scratches and remove shine.
Iodine - under its influence, gold can change its color.
Bleach and chlorine-containing solutions, powdered cleaning agents - they can discolor gold.
Potassium permanganate - this will lead to the metal simply oxidizing.

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.

Main causes of pollution

Other metals are added to the gold used to make jewelry to make the jewelry harder and not deform. Although the precious mineral gains strength, it darkens over time, neither silver nor copper protects it from wear and tear.

Gold becomes dull and less shiny as it touches the skin, which produces sweat. Dust settles on rings and earrings; cosmetics, ointments, and lotions leave traces. Products come into contact with fat produced by the sebaceous glands and get dirty when cleaning the apartment or weeding flowers. Sun rays, high temperature, and hot water have a negative effect on gold and deteriorate the appearance of diamonds.