Diamonds and jewelry can last forever, but they must be kept clean to assure their most brilliant performance; put away carefully between wearings and packed well to travel. The most effective way to preserve your jewelry is by keeping it out of harms way. We realize that it is virtually impossible to shield your jewelry from the daily hustle and bustle of life. After all, you are supposed to be able to relax and enjoy wearing your jewelry. However, by following these guidelines, you can keep your jewelry beautiful just by limiting its exposure to certain conditions.

The commotion of lotions and potions hairspray, gel, body lotion, moisturizer, perfume, mousse, make-up, shaving cream, and soap are chemicals that can leave a residue on jewelry, creating a dull film that is very difficult to remove. To prevent this buildup, remove your jewelry before bathing and grooming, and put it on right before you get on with your day. Think of your jewelry as the finishing touch. Chlorine bleach works well with dirty laundry, but not with jewelry. When silver is exposed to chlorine bleach, the chemical has an oxidizing effect on the metal, causing the metal to turn an unsightly black. To be safe, always remove your jewelry before working with chlorine bleach.

It is okay to use water to clean and rinse your jewelry, but make sure it is thoroughly dried. Moisture can cause tarnish on silver and can weaken springs and clasps. Moreover, certain jewelry and gemstones should never be soaked in water or worn when bathing. These include pearl and gemstone jewelry, which may be glued into the settings. The moisture can cause the glue to lose its hold, and you may even end up losing the stones. Also make sure your jewelry items are thoroughly dry before placing them in an enclosed area.

Cleaning Your Diamonds and Jewelry

1. The Detergent Bath. Prepare a small bowl of warm suds with any of the mild liquid detergents used in home. Brush the pieces with a soft brush while they are in the suds. Then transfer them to a tea strainer and rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft cloth.
2. The Cold Water Soak. Make a half-and-half solution of cold water and household ammonia in a cup. Soak the pieces 30 minutes. Lift out and tap gently around the back and front of the mounting with a soft brush. Swish in the solution once more and drain on tissue paper.

3. The Quick-Dip Method. Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry cleaners, with its kit, choosing the kind most useful to you. Read the label and follow its instructions. Do not touch your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle your jewelry by its edges.

4. The Ultrasonic Cleaner. There are many types of these small machines on the market that will clean any piece of jewelry that can be dunked in a liquid in a matter of minutes. They consist of a metal cup, which you fill with water and detergent. When the machine is turned on, a high-frequency turbulence creates the cleaning action. Since each machine is slightly different, read the instructions very carefully before use.

The above methods can be used for other jewelry, except for #2 (The Cold Water Soak). Although ammonia will not harm the jewelry, it sometimes causes discoloration

Cleaning Your Diamonds and Jewelry

Diamonds get smudged and soiled and dusty. Lotions, powders, soaps, even the natural skin oils, put a film on diamonds and cut down their brilliance. Chemicals in the air can discolor the mountings of precious jewelry. Clean diamond shine because the maximum amount of light can then enter and return in a fiery brilliance. It just takes a little care to keep them that way.

Here are four ways to clean diamond. One of them is pretty sure to fit the time, the place and the job.

1. The Detergent Bath. Prepare a small bowl of warm suds with any of the mild liquid detergents used in home. Brush the pieces with a soft brush while they are in the suds. Then transfer them to a write tea strainer and rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft cloth.

2. The Cold Water Soak. Make a half-and-half solution of cold water and household ammonia in a cup. Soak the pieces 30 minutes. Lift out and tap gently around the back and front of the mounting with a soft brush. Swish in the solution once more and drain on tissue paper.

3. The Quick-Dip Method. Buy one of the brand name liquid jewelry cleaners, with its kit, choosing the kind most useful to you. Read the label and follow its instructions. don't touch your clean diamonds with your fingers. Handle your jewelry by its edges.

4. The Ultrasonic Cleaner. There are many types of these small machines on the market that will clean any piece of jewelry that can be dunked in a liquid in a matter of minutes. They consist of a metal cup, which you fill with water and detergent. When the machine is turned on, a high-frequency turbulence creates the cleaning action. Since each machine is slightly different, read the instructions very carefully before use.

The above methods can be used for other jewelry, except for #2 (The Cold Water Soak). Although ammonia will not harm the jewelry, it sometimes causes discoloration slight discoloration.