Checking Your Diamond Settings
Whatever diamonds are said to be – whether forever or a woman’s best friend, everyone without exception will admit that diamonds are special. This very special and wonderful gem needs care and so does the setting that holds it, whether in a ring, earring, necklace, bracelet or whatever. A flawed or damaged setting can well mean the loss of an expensive and cherished gem.
Diamonds are the hardest stones - however, they do require care and regular checks along with cleaning. Today, ultrasonic cleaners for home use are widely available that help clean all jewellery. It is generally good to clean frequently-worn precious stone jewellery once a year with professional cleaning. Professional cleaners not only clean the stones and jewellery but will thoroughly inspect each stone’s setting to prevent loosening and loss of the stone.
Chlorine bleach is a great enemy of precious metals and precious stones. Under no circumstance must gold, silver or platinum jewellery and precious stones be cleaned with chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach will discolour and damage the metal setting irreversibly. In addition the setting will be weakened by the bleach and any hard knock can loosen the stone. The diamond must never be exposed to chlorine bleach.
When working with house cleaning detergents, it is always better to take off the diamond ring or jewellery. Even though a diamond is hard it could get chipped especially after being exposed to bleach.
For cleaning a diamond setting it is best to use mild soapy water about once a week and a soft brush can be used. When cleaning, check for looseness of the stone or weakening of the prongs holding the stone. When cleaning pavé settings. it is best to check them by pushing from the front and not the back. Hard pushing from the back or hard scrubbing from the back can dislodge the stones.
It is advisable to give your stored stone jewellery a once-over every month to check settings and gently polish them with a soft silk cloth. Some diamonds have a coating of a special film to give them colour. These require very special care and it is better to have a jeweller do the preventive care once a year. These coated diamonds must never ever be exposed to chlorine bleach.
Periodic checking and cleaning of diamond and other precious stone jewellery will keep them looking good for ages. It is best to have all stone jewellery checked by professionals at least once a year.
