Diamond Care

Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. Sadly, hardness does not make durability. Diamonds can chip, crack and fracture--especially if they have many inclusions. Furthermore, even the most brilliant diamond like the Gabrielle Diamond® can get cloudy without a certain degree of daily care to preserve its condition and appearance. Follow these tips to maintain the luster and ensure the longevity of your precious Gabrielle Diamond® jewelry.

1. Light cleaning
Grease from hand lotions, residue from soaps and the body's natural oils can dull the shine of your gem. To rediscover your diamond's original sparkle, all you need do is
wipe it with a soft, cotton cloth on a daily basis.

2. Serious cleaning
Sometimes a cotton cloth just isn't enough to rid your diamond of all the offending impurities it picks up over time. If dirt gets stuck between the prongs of your ring and the stone, you can soak your ring in a jewelry cleaning solution. An old toothbrush is the perfect tool to dig between the crevices and excavate any unsightly grime. Many jewelers will actually clean and buff your ring free of charge whenever the need arises. Still more jewelers will provide you with a complimentary jar of cleaning solution upon purchase.  

Common household products can also be ideal jewelry cleaners. If you don't have a jewelry cleaner handy, you can always do one of the following:
  
A. The Detergent Bath:
        1. Pour some warm water along with some dishwashing liquid into a small bowl.
        2. Place your ring inside the bowl.
        3. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the pieces while they are soaking in the detergent bath.
        4. Move your ring to a wire strainer and rinse with warm running water, making sure to be careful of the drain.
        5. Pat dry.

B. The Ammonia Soak:
        1. Mix equal parts cold water and household ammonia.
        2. Place your ring into the solution and let soak for half an hour.
        3. Take your ring and lightly pat around the mounting, back and front, with a small brush or soft toothbrush.
        4. Dip ring in the solution one last time and let dry on a paper towel.

3. Storing your diamond
As hard as they are, diamonds can get scratched just like any handbag, watch or piece of silverware. To keep your diamond ring in tip top shape, do not store it alongside other pieces of jewelry (for instance in a drawer or in a filled-to-capacity jewelry box) where it can get scraped. Keep it in either a soft cloth pouch or the ring's original, cushioned ring box.

4. Safety First
There are a few key things you can do to keep your diamond jewelry out of harm's way.
     1. Never leave your ring next to a sink--even if your intention is simply to wash your hands and then put your ring back on.
     2. Check how secure your setting is at least once a year. Even the sturdiest of settings can shift and loosen with time, so make
         sure that your jeweler gets a chance to inspect the setting of your Gabrielle Diamond® jewelry every year.
     3. Make sure to insure your ring against theft or loss as soon as you leave the store. For more information on how to insure your
         precious Gabrielle Diamond® you should contact your current insurance company.