| How can such an important project bring out so | | | | oz. glass, some ice, and some cranberry juice... |
| many different methods? Over the years, I've | | | | mix all of them together, have a few sips, and |
| heard quite a few ways of putting the bling back | | | | just relax for 5 minutes while you are busy |
| into your diamond jewelry. Some of the methods | | | | cleaning diamond jewelry at home! |
| were good, some were ineffective, and some | | | | Once the temperature of the cleaning solution has |
| could be damaging to your diamond jewelry. Now | | | | dropped low enough to be able to touch it |
| with the Internet, all of this "information" about | | | | (without saying a bunch of bad words!) you can |
| cleaning diamond jewelry gets spread around | | | | now start to use a soft toothbrush to dislodge |
| faster and farther. I will give you the fastest, | | | | some of the more stubborn build up of dirt. Do |
| easiest, and safest way to clean diamond | | | | not scrub! Be gentle.... you should use the bristles |
| jewelry.... and this is based on many years of | | | | of the toothbrush in more of a pushing motion to |
| experience. | | | | get the bristles along the sides and under the |
| Three important elements are needed when | | | | diamonds. Being too excited about cleaning your |
| cleaning diamond jewelry- heat, a cleaning agent, | | | | diamond jewelry could cause a prong or two to |
| and some pressure. We will get into the "how to" | | | | loosen and a diamond could fall out of it's setting! |
| in a minute, but first a very important basic has | | | | Next you will want to rinse off the soapy cleaning |
| to be covered.... this is a method for cleaning | | | | solution to see how it looks. Do not, repeat, DO |
| diamond jewelry only.... diamond rings, diamond | | | | NOT rinse your jewelry over an open drain, |
| earrings, etc. Rubies and Sapphires generally would | | | | NEVER! If a diamond has become loose it could |
| also be OK.... but NO emeralds, opals, pearls, | | | | end up taking a one-way trip through your |
| rhinestones, coral, shell, amber, ivory, costume | | | | plumbing system. Instead have a much bigger |
| jewelry, etc. | | | | bowl or container with clean water in it to be able |
| OK... let's get started! | | | | to rinse away the soapy cleaning solution. Pat |
| You will need to have a coffee cup or a bowl filled | | | | your diamond jewelry with a clean cloth and let |
| with some water. Place the cup or bowl into the | | | | dry. |
| microwave and zap it for a couple of minutes. | | | | Congratulations... |
| Remove it from the microwave; it will be very | | | | You now have earned your "cleaning diamond |
| (boiling) hot, so be please careful! Place a bit of | | | | jewelry" merit badge! This cleaning diamond |
| dish detergent in with the water; the general ratio | | | | jewelry system will work especially well if you do |
| is about 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner. You | | | | it on a regular basis. You should go to your local |
| could experiment on the proper ratio or use a | | | | jewelry store every 6 to 12 months in order to |
| different type of household cleaner, however | | | | have your diamond jewelry cleaned and inspected. |
| whatever cleaner you do use please read the | | | | This is especially a good thing to do in early |
| ingredients to be sure that it does not contain | | | | November.... so you can be at your "blingiest" for |
| bleach. Now, you have a container of very hot | | | | the holidays and while you are at the store it will |
| water, with a bit of cleaner/detergent in it, and | | | | give you a chance to update your wish list! This is |
| you can carefully place your jewelry into the hot | | | | a fast, easy, and free process that most jewelry |
| solution.... again, please be careful! | | | | stores are happy to do for you. Once this |
| Now you will have to let this sit for a bit.... I did | | | | thorough cleaning has been performed at the |
| actually find an additional cleaning diamond jewelry | | | | jewelry store, a monthly cleaning of your diamond |
| tip on the Internet that could come in nicely right | | | | jewelry at home will be a snap. |
| now! You will need a shot glass of Vodka, an 8 | | | | |