The importance of proper diamond care and maintenance

The diamond’s notoriety for being eternal is a well-earned reputation. This gemstone has long been valued as a symbol of lasting love, partly due to its apparent indestructibility. But despite their longevity, diamonds can get damaged or become dull if you don’t give them appropriate care. Here’s a guide to looking after your cherished diamond jewellery.

What does durability mean?

A diamond’s durability is described in terms of toughness, hardness and chemical stability.

• Toughness refers to the diamond’s ability to resist chipping and breakage. However, a diamond can break if it receives a strong enough impact from the right angle. For optimal resistance to breakage, experts recommend round-cut diamonds.
• Hardness refers to the diamond’s resistance to scratching. Although diamonds are valued for their hardness, proper care must be taken to ensure the stone doesn’t come loose and damage the precious metal in its setting.
• Stability refers to a diamond’s ability to withstand temperature changes and chemical exposure. However, they can burn at temperatures exceeding 850 C, making them vulnerable in a house fire.

Talk to your diamond seller about appropriate storage to keep your diamonds safe when you’re not wearing them.

Cleaning your diamond

We recommend cleaning you diamonds professionally once every 6 months and Charm Diamond is happy to do it for you for free! If you prefer to do it yourself, try the following cleaning method to keep your diamond and the surrounding metal in peak condition:

• Add a little dish liquid, shampoo or gentle body wash to a bowl of warm water and soak the pieces for 20 to 40 minutes. For extra cleaning power, try alternating a bowl of soapy water as described above and a bowl of water mixed with a small amount of ammonia-based glass cleaner.

• Clean gently soiled pieces with a soft sponge to remove large dirt particles. If you have a heavily tarnished piece, use a lint-free or cotton cloth. A gentle cleaning with a soft-bristled toothbrush can also be beneficial.

• Rinse each piece with clean water.

• Wipe the jewellery dry with a lint-free or cotton cloth or use a hair dryer. Don’t allow diamonds to air dry at room temperature, as it may result in watermarks.

A few don’ts

Take these precautions to keep your diamonds sparkling for longer:

• Don’t wear diamond rings while working with strong cleaners or cooking.
• Don’t use pointy objects to clean out the cracks and crevices.
• Don’t clean your diamonds with paper towels and cleaning creams.

Lastly, remember to remove your jewellery when applying perfumes, creams and lotions.

Your jewellery store for diamonds and more in Ottawa

For diamonds you’ll wear with pride, trust the jewellers at your Charm Diamond Centres in Ottawa or at one of our 60 locations across Canada. Contact us today for information or visit us in-store to view our incredible selection up close.