Namas te Jewels

Archive for August, 2011

Ways to Clean your Diamond

There are a few different ways that you can provide diamond care for your precious jewelry, in particular, there are different cleaning processes you can use to keep it looking as brilliant and sparkling as the day you brought it home from the jeweler!

While there are many cleaning procedures that can be done from your own home, don’t forget that you can almost always return to the jeweler where you purchased your diamond and ask for a professional cleaning.  Sometimes cleanings are included in a warranty agreement, so check your paperwork to see if this form of diamond care is provided in your agreement.

Detergent Bath

The most commonly used method of diamond care is cleaning your diamond in a mild, warm water detergent bath.  Fill a bowl with warm water, and add in a mild detergent that you have in the house.  Some people use a dish detergent, while others will use a gentle bathroom cleaner.  Using a toothbrush or eyebrow brush, gently brush your diamond with the sudsy water to loosen any dirt and oil that have found their way to your diamond.  Afterwards, rinse your diamond by placing it into a strainer (careful to select a strainer with holes smaller than your diamond!) and running it under warm water to remove all soap. Never use chlorine bleach to clean your jewelry, the cleanser is much too harsh.

Quick-Dip

There are many cleaners on the market for diamond care.  Select one and follow it’s instructions carefully for dipping your diamond into the cleanser.  Once you’ve dipped your jewelry into the cleanser, you don’t want to touch the diamonds, because oils from your fingers can be easily transferred to your diamond.  Allow it to dry completely and then wear or return to storage.

Cold Water Soak

Diamond care also includes a process called a “cold water soak”.  Fill a bowl with a solution of half cold water and half household ammonia.  Place your diamond into the cleanser and allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes.  When you take it out, tap the jewelry around the mounting brackets and then swish it around in your cold water solution again as a final rinsing.  You can set it out to dry on a piece of tissue paper.

Ultrasonic Cleansing

You can provide diamond care by purchasing an ultrasonic cleansing machine.  These machines have a little cup that you fill with water and cleanser, and a place to insert your jewelry.  Once you turn on the ultrasonic cleansing unit, it uses high speed motion to clean dirt and oils off your piece of jewelry.

Storing Diamonds

Another important consideration of diamond care is how to store your diamonds when you are not wearing them.  Diamonds are gemstones that can scratch other diamonds or other jewelry, so it is recommended that you never place them into a jewelry box or case with other pieces of  jewelry unless you individual wrap the diamonds with tissue paper.  The best way to properly provide diamond care and store your diamond however, is to place the jewelry piece into a fabric lined jewelry box, or a larger case that has individual dividers that are each lined with fabric to protect each piece of jewelry.

As of late it has become fashionable to try to save the environment by doing things such as recycling.   This trend has gradually made its way into the jewelry industry and currently it is possible to purchase pieces that look brand new, but have actually been recycled, reformed, set and polished.  Although Eco-friendly jewelry is widely considered to be a fringe movement, there are actually are some major advantages to buying such pieces.  Here are some of the advantages of Eco-friendly engagement ring settings.

1. The issue of human rights violations in diamond mining is enough to make people avoid diamonds altogether.  However, recycled diamonds – those which have been recut and polished – have been out of the diamond mines long enough for there to be an issue of its origin.
2. Eco-rings are far more affordable because they have been recycled.  It is possible to purchase a recycled ring and be able to spend more on the diamonds or other stones you wish to set in the ring.
3. Obviously there is the fact that you are saving the environment by using eco-friendly engagement or wedding rings as they didn’t come directly from a mine, which destroys the environment.
4. Heirloom and antique rings, which are enjoying renewed popularity, can be considered eco-friendly.  These rings, which basically are rings that have been in a single family for generations or are simply from  the earliest decades of the 20^th century, have been out of the mines for years and don’t bear the stigma or newer rings.  These rings make it possible for those who like to be trendy to be able to save the environment and follow the rules of fashion while they are at it.

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Buying jewelry wholesale online is quite easy, and most of the time, it is an enjoyable shopping experience. In fact, many people prefer this method of buying jewelry wholesale simply because they find a much wider selection at much lower prices. However, some of the buying public is still wary of online businesses. If this sounds like you, there is
really no need for concern. Simply follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that you have a safe and satisfactory buying experience.

The first step is to be aware that there are indeed many con artists operating on the Internet – and they will happily take your money with absolutely no regrets. It is your responsibility to take all of the proper precautions to guard against this happening.

First, find the jewelry wholesale that you are interested in buying. Make a note of where you found it, but do not make a purchase just yet – there is still much to be done. Take a look at other online wholesaler’s sites and online jewelry stores to see if you can find similar pieces. In most cases, you can. Look at the price differences. While the wholesale price should be lower than the retail price, you should use extreme caution if the price seems too low. Remember that old adage ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.’

After you have found the lowest price, read every detail you can find about the jewelry. Make sure that it is exactly what you want, in terms of authenticity. If you are unsure, don’t make the purchase until you do know for sure. Don’t be afraid to contact the company directly to ask questions – but don’t take their word for it either.

Check with the Better Business Bureau Online, as well as the BBB in the area where the company is located. You are checking to see if there have been any complaints about this business. If there have been, that information will be made available to you at no charge… and if there are complaints, you should avoid doing business with the company.

Next, read the refund and exchange policy, as well as the terms of service and the privacy policy at the website. This is all important information – and if it isn’t there, you don’t want to do business with this company. However, just because the information is there doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a legitimate operation – read the information carefully, and print it out so that you have a record of it.