Although a diamond is the hardest stone on Earth, it still needs proper attention to maintain its perpetual state of beauty. And the issue of taking care of the band itself still exists. So, unless a few precautions are taken, even when the diamond is properly set it can still fall out of its setting, or be damaged in other ways. Here are some points to consider in taking proper care of your diamond jewelry.

Cleaning

Cleaning a diamond is very simple. All you need is a mild dishsoap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. An alternative to dishsoap is a dulted amonia (about six parts water and one part amonia). Afterwards, simply rinse it with warm tap water, or ethyl alcohol (not to be confused with rubbing alcohol) and dry it off with a soft, clean cloth.

As far as cleaning the band itself goes, every metal requires different care. So, it's important that you read up on, or ask your jeweler about how to properly maintain the particular metal your jewelry is made of. All bands can, however, be cleaned effectivly using the same method as stated above. Make sure not to use Bleach. This is very important, as it will not only change the color of some metals but can also cause metals, such as silver or white gold, to break down and eventually become very brittle.

Regular Checkups

In order to keep your jewelry healthy, you need to make regular (at least annual) visits to your local jeweler. The jeweler will check your diamond's setting under a magnifying glass to ensure that all the prongs and mountings are secure so that your diamond doesn't fall out. This is especially a concern with jewelry made of soft metals such as silver, palladium, platinum and gold.

Jewelers have a special machine that emits ultrasonic sound waves through detergent. This will break down any dirt or debris that is absolutely impossible to remove using any conventional cleaning methods. It is a good idea to have your jewelry cleaned this way on at least an anual basis. Be aware that some soft jewels, such as rubies or sapphires can be damages using this method. Although some such machines exist for home use, this really should be left up to the jeweler, as a stone can be shaken lose from its setting if it is not first properly secured.

Proper Storage

It is important that you properly store your jewelry when you are not wearing it. Especially for the pieces that you only wear on special occasions. If you just toss the jewelry in a box filled full of other jewelry, or a box that doesn't have a felt lining, it can be easily damaged. Especially if you have soft metals rubbing up against hard metals, such as a palladium ring and a titanium ring in the same box. So, it's important to have each piece of jewelry stored in a way that they are kept secured in their own individual places.

What Not To Do

Try not to touch the diamond when you are cleaning it, as the oils from your fingers and hands can prevent it from being completely cleaned and well polished. Also, if you are engaged in any physical activity, such as working out, make sure you remove your jewelry before hand so you don't end up damaging the setting and lose your diamond.

Although I have already mentioned this, it's important enough to mention again. Do not let any chemicals such as Bleach touch your ring. These chemicals will break down the metals that your ring is made from and may even discolor the diamond. Also, even though it is safe to use warm, soapy water to clean the ring, this does not mean that washing dishes with your ring on is safe. When your hands are in the dishwater, you will brush them up against the dishes and the sides of the sink and you could scratch the band, or even damage the setting and accidentally flush the diamond down the drain with the dishwater.

There are some out there who think that cleaning a ring with toothpaste or rubbing-alcohol is a good idea. It is not. Toothpaste will scratch the ring, causing it to look pitted and the oils in rubbing alcohol will cause the ring to fade.