Diamonds are exceptionally delicate, and thus, they require the utmost care. Harsh chemicals like acetone, chlorine, bleach and other abrasive substances like baking powder and toothpaste will damage your diamond beyond repair.
Sudden extreme temperature changes can cause damage, however. Diamonds can chip or fracture from hard impact, especially in areas where the carbon atoms are not tightly bonded. These areas, called cleavage planes, are the major source of damage to diamonds (figure 2).
Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals can wear down the metal holding the diamond. Although diamonds are the hardest mineral, over time diamonds can be damaged with contact with harsh chemicals."
Chemicals. Chlorine and other chemicals can harm diamonds and the metals in which they are set. Prolonged exposure to chlorine, as in a swimming pool, can make your diamonds look dull. The chemicals can also eat away at the gold setting.
There is nothing that can scratch a diamond except another diamond. A mineral like talc, on the other hand, is a 1 on the scale. You could scratch it with any hard material, even your fingernail. Natural talc is one of the softest minerals in the world.
While incredibly tough, diamonds are still vulnerable to scratches just like other gemstones. The Mohs' scale (scale of mineral hardness) specifically defines hardness as the resistance to being scratched.
Yes, a diamond can break – including a lab-grown diamond. Just like how diamond cutters are used to shape and sculpt a rough diamond, it can break if enough force is applied. Diamonds don't shatter when dropped, however, they can chip or break from powerful blows.
Despite its ruggedness, diamond can lose its sparkle with oil or dust deposited on it. To maintain the sparkling of this indestructible gemstone is a tough job, but a possible one!
A diamond that has not been cleaned for a while can look milky due to a buildup of film and dirt on its facets. Cloudy diamonds can also have diminished transparency from inclusions or other characteristics intrinsic to the crystal from which they are cut.
A dirty stone doesn't sparkle because light simply can't enter the diamond and causes it to appear dull. So, if you notice your diamond jewelry getting cloudier overtime, it's likely due to a dirty surface and there's an easy fix to restore their luster.
Diamonds are exceptionally delicate, and thus, they require the utmost care. Harsh chemicals like acetone, chlorine, bleach and other abrasive substances like baking powder and toothpaste will damage your diamond beyond repair.
Generally, you don't have to take off your engagement ring when you wash your hands. In fact, using gentle soap and water is the best way to clean an engagement ring at home, so washing your hands won't do any damage to your jewelry.
Most dish soaps contain a number of harsh chemicals and dyes that can not only harm the surface of the metals in your diamond rings collection but can dull and scratch the finish of the diamonds themselves.
Pinpoint inclusions
As the name implies, these inclusions are minute crystals usually white in color present inside the diamond. These resemble a small point of light and are, by far, the most common of all flaws found in diamonds.
Blemishes, being surface issues, are usually easier to see than inclusions, and occasionally may be located using the naked eye. Inclusions, on the other hand, can't. If a very large inclusion can be seen without a loupe, the diamond is of poor quality.
Can you wear diamond studs or a diamond ring in the shower? You should remove your diamond studs or other diamond jewelry prior to showering. When diamonds are exposed to natural oils, certain soaps, and lotions, it can leave a film over the diamond resulting in less brilliance and sparkle.
Hand sanitizer is also known to leave a cloudy film over your diamonds so definitely wash your ring frequently! Luckily, you don't have to take off your ring while you're washing your hands-which is a big plus right now as we are all washing our hands extra often these days.
Whether it be alcohol or non-alcohol based hand sanitizer, both can cause irreversible damage to your ring. Repeated use of alcohol based hand sanitizer can diminish the brilliance of your stones and metal shine, and loosen your engagement ring prongs. It can also cause buildup between your stones and metal.
The best way to clean a diamond at home is to put it into a bath of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak for 20-40 minutes and wipe it dry with a lint-free cloth. If stubborn stuck-on dirt remains, repeat the process but scrub the ring gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush this time.
If the cloudiness of your diamond is caused by external factors, such as a greasy film or dirt, it's possible to fix it and regain its original sparkle. The way to do so is by simply cleaning the ring using warm water, soap, and ammonia-based cleaners. If you can't do it yourself, take it to a professional cleaner.
Salt water can also damage the overall appearance of your diamond by dulling the stones and causing them to become less shiny.
Girdles Can Reflect in a Diamond
If you look at the side of your diamond and see a line across it, about ⅔ of the way down, don't panic. It's most likely a girdle reflection. Because of how light moves through a diamond, light that enters through the girdle will usually come out through the pavilion.
Diamond scratches are the result of a bit of rough-and-tumble the polished diamond has endured on its journey to your 'maybe' pile.