Diamonds are famous for being very hard by nature and highly resistant to heat. In fact, only a diamond can cut or polish another diamond. In spite of this quality, it is advisable to take good care of your diamond. The possibility of loosing it in case of weak prongs or reduction in brilliance owing to accumulated dirt and even damage from a hard blow at the girdle always exists.

Take care to store it encased in something soft and protective and away from other jewelry. Also wear it with care not to knock it around or let it slip off.

To clean your diamond at home, use one part ammonia and six parts water mixed together to soak it in. Scrub gently with a soft brush taking care not to scratch the metal setting and rinse in warm water before drying with lint-free cloth. In this manner, you can periodically remove accumulated dirt and have the original sparkle back once more.

Extra Care

It is most advisable to remove your jewelry before taking part in sports, heavy labor, using cream or doing anything with your hands that could involve dirt or sticky material. On heavy impact, diamonds can easily chip and the setting damaged. Harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach must also be avoided at all cost. And cream or dough could get under the stone into the setting and be difficult to remove.

Only loose diamonds, meaning those not yet set or removed from the setting are taken by the Gemological laboratory for certification. Combined with the fact that it is a time-consuming and expensive process, one can understand why only the larger diamonds (over 0.50 carat) that rank high in color, clarity, and cut are generally certified through labs.

Inspection

While it is easy to care for at home, an annual check by a professional diamond jeweler will endow it a longer life!! Loose stones, bent prongs, or other signs of wear can easily be dealt with in this manner and the diamond jeweler can also give a professional cleaning as well.