How to Care for Your Diamonds During the Festive Season

Shine Bright This Christmas

As the holiday season approaches, everything seems to shine a little brighter—from twinkling lights to sparkling decor. And whilst you’re busy making sure everything looks just right for the holidays, don’t forget to give your diamonds the care they need to truly shine this Christmas. Perhaps you’re flaunting a diamond necklace at a holiday party or showing off your engagement ring to friends/family at gatherings, whichever the case, it’s essential for your diamonds to look their best for the festive season. Here’s how to keep your precious gems sparkling throughout the holidays.

1. Begin with a Sparkling Clean

The activities of daily life can dull even the most brilliant diamonds, especially with the buildup of oils, lotions, and everyday dust. Before the holiday festivities begin, treat your diamonds to a thorough clean:

• At Home: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap and let your diamond jewellery soak for 15-20 minutes. Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the stones and settings (not forgetting to pay attention to intricate areas such as hidden halos and diamond bands). Follow by rinsing with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth.

• Professional Cleaning: For an extra dose of sparkle, take your diamonds to a jeweller for professional cleaning. Deep cleaning will remove more stubborn dirt and make your diamonds glisten brightly again. Clients at Janai will receive complimentary professional cleaning for their diamond jewellery in Melbourne for the lifetime of their pieces. 

2. Protect Your Diamonds During Decorating 

Setting up the tree, hanging ornaments, stringing lights, are all holiday traditions that can put your diamond jewellery at risk. To avoid scratches, dirt, or potential damage:

• Remove your diamond rings and bracelets before starting any decorating activities.

• Store your jewellery in a safe place to prevent accidental bumps or scratches.

• Diamonds are best kept inside a lined jewellery box or soft cloth to keep them protected.

This is especially important when unpacking boxes and lifting anything high from tall shelving. Lifting heavy objects above your head to a high storage shelf is one of the most common ways people scratch, bend or worse, break their rings! And is the most common place people keep all of their decorations out of sight for the rest of the year. 

Also any decorating that involves ladders and tools to hang ornaments, draping garlands or lights is also a big no-no. Hooks, zipties, cords, all risk snagging on your rings. We also recommend not to wear any of your diamonds during activities such as moving furniture or setting up outdoor tables.

If in doubt, the best way to protect your diamonds is to pack them away during these activities.

3. Avoid Wearing When Cooking/Baking

Holiday parties and seasonal spreads are the perfect occasion to showcase your diamonds, but cooking activities and their preparations can dull their brilliance:

• Always remove your jewellery before cooking or baking.

• Avoid exposing diamonds to ingredients as they can dull the settings or the stone’s shine.

• Avoid wearing rings or bracelets whilst cooking to prevent food particles from getting lodged in the settings
  
  

The Christmas season often involves preparing festive feasts and baking delightful treats like cookies and gingerbread. But it’s not an event where jewellery should be involved. Alongside getting messy and some hygiene factors (like food getting stuck inside settings) wearing jewellery while cooking or baking can pose several risks to your precious diamond pieces. Contact with ingredients such as oils can dull gemstones and abrasives such baking soda can potentially be damaging to the ring setting.

It’s best to remove jewellery pieces when engaging in cooking or baking activities.

4. Travel Safely with Diamonds

If you’re travelling to visit loved ones this Christmas, take precautions to keep your diamonds safe. The last thing you want during a busy Christmas season is to lose a precious piece. To avoid this:

• Wear your most sentimental or valuable pieces rather than packing them in checked luggage.

• Ensure your jewellery is insured for travel and take photos of each piece for your records (this is generally accompanied with your insurance policy).

• Use a discreet travel case and keep it in your carry-on bag for added security.

• Store each piece in a separate compartment or pouch to avoid scratches.

• For travel, invest in a secure jewellery box/cases to prevent tangling or damage.

Most travel destinations won’t pose a problem and will accompany you during your vacations just as you’d wear them back home. It allows you to carry a touch of home’s elegance with you wherever you go. With proper care and mindful storage, your diamonds can be your perfect travel companions, bringing a sense of timeless sophistication to your Christmas getaway. 

While diamonds are beautiful for all occasions, they may not be suitable for all destinations. For the more adventurous or remote locations it’s wiser to leave diamond at home and instead take along a travel ring to wear with you. It’s advised to research the destination before your visit and be mindful of where and when you wear your precious jewellery.

5. Schedule a Post-Holiday Checkup

After the festive season, your diamonds may need a little extra TLC. Consider scheduling a post-holiday checkup and visually inspect your rings and other diamond jewellery pieces:

• Check for wear-and-tear on the claws, settings and clasps to ensure your diamonds remain secure.

• If you’re unsure, schedule a professional inspection with your jeweller to ensure claws, clasps, and other settings are secure.

Performing a visual checkup on your diamond jewellery is essential to ensure its longevity. Start by inspecting the claws that hold your diamond in place. They should be evenly spaced, and not bent or worn down. If the claw appears to have lifted, looks uneven, or sharp to the touch, then it’s a sign to take it to your jeweller. Next, examine the settings for any gaps or loose stones.

For tennis bracelets and necklaces, take a look closely at clasps to ensure they close tightly and latch securely. If you notice signs of wear, such as worn down metal or misalignment, consult a professional.

Shine On This Holiday Season

Diamonds are the ultimate symbol of brilliance and elegance, and with a little extra care, your favorite pieces will dazzle throughout the Christmas holiday season. By following our care tips, you’ll ensure your diamonds shine bright even when you’re decorating, preparing family feasts or travelling.

For those looking to add a new piece to their collection these holidays, explore stunning engagement rings at Janai in Melbourne and discover timeless designs and make your festive season truly unforgettable.