A diamond is the hardest known substance on earth. With the proper care, these unparalleled gemstones can last a lifetime – and can even be handed down as heirlooms to future generations without losing any of their luster. But keep in mind that diamonds aren’t invulnerable – they can still be scratched, chipped, dulled and even lost forever if not handled correctly. Meanwhile, because of their small size and high value, diamonds are frequent targets of thieves. To help protect your diamond jewelry purchase, Diamonds International offers these important care and safety tips:

• Daily wear – Never wear diamond jewelry when doing heavy work or strenuous activities. Even though a diamond is extremely durable, it can still be chipped by a hard blow. Even normal, everyday activity can loosen a setting.  

• Housework – Detergents and other common household cleaners can dull the look of your diamond. Even worse, chlorine bleach and other chemicals can pit or discolor mountings and weaken them. To keep your diamond safe, remove it before house cleaning. But if you must wear it, put on the gloves – and don’t forget to put a stopper in the sink!

• Self-cleaning – Clean your diamond jewelry regularly. If using a commercial jewelry cleaner, use a brand name and follow the instructions on the label. Or you can soak your diamond jewelry in a small bowl of warm, soapy water made with any mild liquid detergent. Gently brush the jewelry with a soft toothbrush while it is in the suds to dislodge any dust or dirt from under the setting. Then, rinse under warm running water. Another cleaning option would be a half-and-half solution of household ammonia and cold water. Soak jewelry for 30 minutes, gently brush with a soft toothbrush and rinse. Finally, you can clean your diamonds by soaking them in a glass of vodka.

• Professional cleaning and maintenance – Take your diamond jewelry to one of our 120+ locations every six months and our friendly, expert staff will professionally clean it (steam cleaning and/or ultrasonic cleaning) and check it for loose or bent prongs and wear.

• Storage – A diamond can scratch another diamond, as well as other jewelry pieces, so store diamond jewelry separately. If you need to store diamond items together, make sure they aren’t tangled together so they won’t scratch one another. Diamond jewelry pieces are best stored in a fabric-lined jewelry case or in a box with compartments or dividers.

• Travel – It’s safest to leave diamond jewelry at home when traveling. But if you must bring it, use common sense. Don’t check diamond jewelry with your bags when flying; keep these and other valuables with you at all times. Wearing flashy, expensive pieces in public makes you a target for thieves, so turn diamond rings around and leave only the metal showing. All jewelry should be kept in the hotel safe deposit box when not needed. (The hotel is not responsible for items left in a room safe.)