Diamonds are one of the hardest substances on earth and are uniquely resistant to damage by heat or scratching. That said, diamonds are not indestructible. They can chip and break and are especially vulnerable at the girdle. Having diamonds set in a relatively protective setting, can help keep them safe.

When wearing your diamond, you should be conscious of it on your finger, removing it when doing any type of activity that might expose it to a rough substance or a hard blow. For example, this might include gardening, doing the dishes, intense exercise, etc.

Cleaning & Servicing Your Diamond

During the course of ordinary wear, a diamond is exposed to dirt, dust, perspiration, makeup, and natural skin oils, as well as household chemicals, like chlorine and hairspray. Over time, these materials build up on a diamond, dulling its natural beauty.

Luckily, cleaning a diamond is easy and requires very little time. Soak your diamond in a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water. Dip a very soft brush, such as a soft-bristle toothbrush, into the solution and pull it gently across the diamond to loosen dirt. Be careful when applying the brush to the metal of your setting, as harsh or rough cleaning can scratch. Finally, rinse well to renew brilliance.

Alternately, you may clean a diamond by following the directions on a non-abrasive jewellery cleaner. These are available at most department or drugstores. Make sure that the jewellery cleaner specifies that it is safe to use on diamonds and the metal of your setting. After application of the jewellery cleaner, use a soft cloth to remove any remaining dirt or other residue.

We recommend having your diamond professionally cleaned and inspected once every six months or if it undergoes some form of trauma, such as being dropped or hit against a hard surface. These inspections help prevent the loss of your diamond solitaire in the event your ring has been inadvertently damaged. Blue Nile provides this service free of charge to our customers. Please contact us at serviceuk@bluenile.co.uk or 00353 1 899 1351 from Netherlands, 0800 206 1160 from the United Kingdom, or 00353 1 899 1351 for all other EU countries to learn more.

Storing your Diamond Jewellery

Because of their hardness, diamonds can scratch other diamonds, gemstones and jewellery metals. This is one of the most common ways jewellery is damaged. For this reason, store all jewellery, especially diamond jewellery, in individual soft cloth pouches when not being worn.

Insuring Your Diamond

Because unforeseen accidents do happen, we strongly recommend that you insure your diamond against loss, theft, and damage.

Blue Nile has arranged for T H March to provide information about the benefits of insuring your jewellery. Learn more.