Diamonds & Engagement
Fine Jewelry
Diamond Care
Cleaning Your Diamond Jewelry
Depending on the setting, you can soak your diamond engagement and wedding rings for up to 30 minutes in a solution of dishwashing liquid and water. Prong or cathedral settings are the best for this. Pave and basket settings are more likely to allow your precious gems to come loose, and soaking can speed this process along.
Be mindful of that when you decide to soak any jewelry piece use mild dish soap in warm water and soak your jewelry for a few minutes. Using a soft cloth or cotton swab, gently scrub the metal (gold, platinum, silver) and the rinse. Repeat the process if needed, but always err on the side of caution when it comes to soaking jewelry.
For extra shine, you can soak diamonds in window cleaner afterwards. Because glass cleaner contains some harsh chemicals, do not soak for more than a minute at a time, and don't use this process at all with rhodium. To ensure that all of the glass cleaner is rinsed off, use the same mild dish soap solution. Dip your ring into the solution, rinse it with warm water and then dry it completely.
You can use toothpicks to remove dirt that is lodged in between the prongs and the diamonds, but be careful, as you can scratch the metal or move a prong slightly. If fibers from cloth get stuck in the setting, gently use tweezers to remove them. Again, be careful of the metal. Even though diamonds can only be scratched by other diamonds, the precious metals into which they are set can be scratched much more easily.
Ionic cleaners can be used on most diamond jewelry, but if your engagement ring is set with other gemstones, you might want to try other ways to clean it. Some gemstones are affected by the electrical current in the ionic cleaning process.
When storing your diamond jewelry, be sure to keep it separate from other jewelry. Remember that diamonds can not only scratch any other jewelry you have, but they can scratch each other as well. Make sure that two diamond pieces are not being stored next to one another.
Insuring Your Diamond Jewelry
Once you have beautiful diamond jewelry, you want to make sure that it is properly insured in case of theft or loss. Although homeowner's and renter's policies will cover a portion of your jewelry loss, it is often a small amount—particularly in comparison to the cost of a diamond engagement ring or wedding ring. Find out how much is covered by the policies you already have, and then look into additional policies.
If you choose to get additional insurance, find out if there is a deductible and how much it is. Most insurance companies will not insure fine jewelry without an appraisal, so make sure you find out which appraisal reports are acceptable to your insurance company. Ask if the policy covers you fully-whether the item is merely damaged, or even if it is lost overseas. Many policies will have riders that do not allow for this level of coverage. Make sure you read carefully before you pay for extra insurance. Also find out if your jewelry is covered at the full replacement cost, and if you can get a cash settlement in lieu of replacing the item.
Know that your insurance company will want updated appraisals regularly. Be prepared to have your jewelry appraised every few years. Ask what the rules are for the particular insurance company you choose. Also find out if there is a discount if you have a home security system. While having a pit bull may not qualify you, having an alarm system might.
When you make an investment in diamond jewelry, you want to make sure that it is protected in any circumstances. Most insurance companies offer special insurance for just this purpose. Look online or call around to make comparisons before you choose. The jewelry, like the memories to which they are attached, should be with you for a lifetime.
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