Diamond Damage and How To Avoid It

Despite diamonds being renowned for their hardness and durability, they are not immune to damage. In this journal, we are taking you through how you can damage your diamond and how to prevent it so that you can keep on sparkling until the end of time.  

Of course we do not want you to damage your diamond, however if you become an expert on how to do it, you are much less likely to actually damage it.

Here are the top 6 ways to damage a diamond:

1. Natural Inclusions:
   The main reason that a diamond becomes damaged is due to an intrinsic flaw, otherwise known as an inclusion. Diamonds with inclusions, especially if they are near the girdle (that's the narrow section of the diamond that separates the upper parts of the diamond (the crown) from the lower (the pavilion), and is the setting edge) are more prone to cracking and chipping. 
   
   
   
2. Setting Accidents:
   Yes, even in what some would consider the safest of hands, your diamond can get damaged during the setting process. This is due to the pressure applied when you fix the stone. Some shapes of diamonds, such as marquis, pear, and heart-shaped stones, as well as those with cavities and other imperfections (as mentioned above), are more prone to damage from setting.
   
   
   
3. Cleaning with Harsh Chemicals
   Exposing your beautiful diamond to harsh chemicals like chlorine in swimming pools, household cleaning agents like acetone and bleach, and other well-known abrasive cleaning agents like baking powder and toothpaste will damage your diamond beyond repair. These chemicals all serve their purposes, but diamonds are not one of them. 
   
   
   
4. Diamonds Getting Too Close
   Yes, they are family, but that doesn't mean they should hang out in the same house. One of the easiest ways to damage your diamonds is to put them in the same box. When one diamond rubs against another, it can cause scratching. The best thing to do is keep each diamond in its box and rest easy, knowing they are safe and sound. This goes for all stones, really. Loose gems should be stored separately from each other to prevent damage. 
   
   
   
5. The Ocean
   It is not just the ocean; it is salt water in general. Salt erodes the diamond over time, causing blemishes and weakens your diamond over time. When the surf is up, take the ring off. 
   
   
   
6. Wear and Tear
   Your ring's gradual wear and tear occurs from daily activities that create friction, like washing the dishes, touching hard surfaces, and just life in general. Yes, diamonds are forever, but forever might not be as sparkly as you had hoped. 

There are a few ways to spot the damage to your diamond. If any of these resonate, we recommend seeking out help from professionals immediately.

Of course, no one wants to damage their diamond, so here are some handy tips to prevent just that.

Handy tips to prevent diamond damage

• Store your jewellery in a jewellery box. This will help prevent scratches and chips, keep it safe and clean, as well as prevent it from getting lost. We have heard way too many stories of precious gems being accidentally knocked on the ground only to have been vacuumed up by an overly helpful family member. 
  
  
• Keep your jewellery clean. Use a soft toothbrush, some warm water and a gentle detergent to keep it clean and prevent diamond damage. Or, bring it in to us and we can place it into our special cleaning machine, or use a Dazzle Stick when on the go. 
  
  
• Take it off before doing physical activities where your diamonds safety could be compromised. 
  This includes ( but not limited to):
  
  Doing the dishes
  Gardening
  Sports
  Swimming
  Working with power tools
  Cleaning
  
  
• Extreme temperatures are a no go. Metal expands and contracts with changes in temperature, which could cause your ring to warp or crack. 
  
  
• Get a professional to look at it regularly. Jewellers are experts in jewellery (no kidding), so they have the expertise necessary to asses your jewellery and repair it. Give us a call  or pop into our shop and let us have a look. We will be more than happy to help asses your diamond (or any stone) and find the best solution for you.  
  
  
• Life happens; that's why there is insurance. Having your jewellery insured is the best way to ensure that should life happen, you can have your diamond replaced. We use  QReport to ensure our jewellery and highly recommend them. However, it is a personal decision, and you should always do your research before choosing an insurer.