As Rihanna often says, “Shine bright like a diamond.” Diamonds are one of nature’s most exquisite artworks. Even if you’re not a jewellery enthusiast, a part of you wants to get one, and we can’t blame you because who wouldn’t want a shiny rock that glistens like a star? They’re a symbol of elegance, royalty, and love. Most commonly, they are seen in engagement rings to mark a special occasion where man and woman finally come together as one, or they can be seen in necklaces that flaunt royalty and high class. But just like any object of nature, they are prone to wearing down overtime. After all, nothing is perfect, and that includes diamonds.
But fear not, because there are several ways to keep that rock shining. Diamond necklaces can be maintained to keep their elegance and sparkle. This is important since these necklaces are more than just your average jewellery; they are a statement that embody hard work, which led to you being in this position now. So, to keep that alive, here are a few important things to take note to keep your diamond necklace sparkling.
Understanding your Diamond: Before diving headfirst into maintaining your diamond necklace, there are a few important details to take note of first. You need to consider the colour, cut, clarity, and carat of your diamond first. You don’t want to damage the diamond or wear it down further by not understanding these essential details. Understanding these concepts will allow you to plan the appropriate cleaning technique that you can consider for your necklace.
Avoid Touching the Stone: since our fingers contain a nasty set of oils, bacteria, and other dirt, touching the diamond in any way can cause eventual wear overtime, no matter how clean your fingers might be. Even if you wear gloves, residues can still cling to your stone. Make sure that when you need to remove your necklace, you grab it by the lace instead of the diamond itself. It’s also pivotal if you store it properly using a jewellery case, as merely setting it down on your table can make it susceptible to dust.
Regular Maintenance: Your diamond necklace is susceptible to bodily oils, dead skin, and dirt from your clothes that will lessen its shimmer over time. A daily or weekly cleaning session can prevent this. Simply prepare a bowl of water and drops of dish soap and soak your necklace, after which gently scrub it with a brush that has fine bristles (preferably a toothbrush) to remove any residue that is stuck on your diamond. Baking soda can also do if your goal is deep cleaning; however, avoid using any type of strong cleaning chemicals like detergent-based soaps or cleaning solutions that contain acids since these might be too strong and can discolour or wear them down further.
Remove When Needed: Diamonds might be tough, but that doesn’t mean they are indestructible. If there are instances where your necklace might be exposed to harsh elements or activities. It is best to remove them. One mistake people often make is keeping it on while eating; while this is not entirely inappropriate, some dining environments can become intense with heat. If you’re chowing down on soup or oily types of meals, your diamond necklace will be dangling right above it. If you think it’s not necessary to wear your necklace in these situations, then it’s best to remove it. This also includes outdoor activities such as sports and swimming, especially pool swimming since they contain chlorine.
Contact Professionals: while DIY maintenance can be done to diamond necklaces, you can’t 100% thoroughly clean them like professionals do. Jewellery cleaners have access to proper cleaning tools and equipment that can fix even the slightest dirt or smudge in your diamond. Not only that, but they can also assess other issues that might be present in your jewellery and promptly act when needed. They can also give you professional advice on how you can handle your own cleaning at home. An annual visit to professional jewellery cleaners can ensure the longevity of your diamond necklace, and other services they include are polishing and prong tightening. These ensure that your diamond is good as new, and probably the best benefit you get from availing of these services is that you can be assured that you can prevent any costly repairs in the future, or worse, needing to buy a new one.