Diamond rings should be treated as the top members of the jewelry family. After all, they are usually big-ticket purchases which are connected to sweet memories and special occasions in which they were received.
If you want your jewelry to stay safe and remain in good condition for years to come, it is important that you learn how to take care of your jewelry properly.
In this article, I’m going to reveal the best practices and storage tips for your diamond jewelry so that those memories can continue to shine through them for years to come. Let’s dive in…
Most people have a misconception that diamonds are indestructible. However, did you know that under the right conditions, diamonds can actually be scratched or chipped?
You read that right.
Even though diamonds are the hardest substances known to man and stereotyped as the “most powerful” material, they can still get “hurt”. In fact, a diamond can be scratched by another diamond if they come into contact and it is possible to chip a diamond when a force is applied at its cleavage plane.
Ideally speaking, the safest storage solution would be to keep your diamond jewelry in a protected and controlled environment like a dry box. Since they are kept away from harsh chemicals or humid environmental conditions, the jewelry (both metal and diamond) will not deteriorate with time.
Now, this may be a feasible solution for people to lock away their jewelry in a safe place for the long term. But what about people who want to wear their jewelry on a daily basis and require frequent access to the storage? Is there a more convenient solution for them?
In my opinion, the best method for storing jewelry is to have compartmentalized storage space as it facilitates sorting and organization. This is especially important if you own multiple pieces of diamond jewelry because you want to avoid any direct contact between them.
A jewelry box like this would do the trick and they aren’t expensive.
One great way to minimize such problems is to look for jewelry storage boxes with built-in segregation and compartments. For less than $50, there are plenty of high-quality choices available in different designs here.
Next, basic common sense will tell you that you shouldn’t be wearing your diamond ring when doing heavy manual work with your hands. For example, you should remove your ring when you are gardening or performing heavy lifting to put them out of harm’s way.
Also, simple gestures like taking your ring off before doing the dishes or taking a shower can help extend the lifespan of your jewelry. The logic here is pretty straightforward. You want to avoid knocking the ring against hard surfaces and keep the metal setting away from harsh chemicals.
When you are cleaning your jewelry, you should also pay attention to the type of solvent and chemicals you use. Although diamonds are chemically inert, this doesn’t mean the settings they are mounted on have the same properties. Chemicals, such as chlorine might cause fading and oxidation of commonly used jewelry metals like silver or white gold.
As a reminder, you also want to be mindful about the type of jewelry you are cleaning. Jewelry with a mix of diamonds and other precious gemstones typically require special cleaning techniques. For example, ultrasonic cleaners are suitable for diamonds BUT may cause gemstones like opals to shatter!
Depending on the severity of the damage, you might want to consider re-polishing or re-cutting your diamond. Personally, I won’t worry too much about cosmetic damages like fine scratches or nicks unless they cause a visible loss of luster.
However, in cases where a diamond is chipped, it makes sense to correct the damage immediately in order to prevent further damage propagation.
So, there you have it.
By taking care of your diamond jewelry and having good storage practices at home, it will help prevent them from going missing and protect them against unnecessary damage.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to keep your diamond jewelry in stunning conditions and pre-diagnose any potential problems before they get out of hand.
2 Comments
Hi Paul,
I live in Germany and I have been reading your newsletter for two years. Now I’m ready to buy a solitaire diamond ring.
I once read in your newsletter, that basically the internet dealers you recommend sell and ship also to Germany. Is that still the case? What is your experience with it?
On the other hand, I’m with my relatives in NYC this August. So i could buy there.
Which of the internet retailers has a showroom in NYC and how can I get in contact with them there?
I would be happy to hear from you soon.
Rino
Thanks for following our work for such a long time! Internet dealers are still the best place to buy diamonds because of the selection and better cut quality. The lower prices are just a byproduct of lesser overheads. For a German buyer, Blue Nile has operations in your country. Other vendors like White Flash (super ideal cut diamonds) also ship to Germany but the tax portion will have to be paid separately to the courier (i.e. Fedex will bill you). On that note, you pay the same taxes whether you shop in a local store, from Blue Nile or White Flash. It’s the degree of convenience that Blue Nile bundles everything together into one bill that may be appealing to some consumers.
If you are travelling to NYC, you can also get in touch with James Allen: https://beyond4cs.com/go/ja/ and arrange for a visit beforehand.