Diamond Jewelry Maintenance
It is recommended to clean diamond and most gem jewelry at least once a week with soap solution equivalent. (Windex spray/ammonia/dish soap can be used, however check certain gems ie. soft stones such as turquoise, for potential reaction.) Making a ritual/habit of cleaning, in such manner, can keep the jewelry brighter and sparkling.
Once every 3 months jewelry should be professionally cleaned by a jeweler; ultrasonic and steam, preferably one you can witness (i.e. done where you can observe if you want to). This is in fine print of warranty and finance contract. Many people buy and pay extra for warranty without realizing that the warranty legally becomes null and void if not followed through. Check your warranty contract for care and cleaning to understand and avoid heartaches later.
Ring sizing: Each individuals fingers are different. Depending on health situations, some individual could have knuckle considerations due to various medical conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, breaks, etc. Cold and heat can shrink or swell fingers, as well as some heavy work. This is a normal physical reaction. Women are more prone to swelling. It is recommended to have rings sized so that it is a somewhat snug to fit over knuckle. In case of arthritic knuckles where variation from knuckle to digit varies. In such cases,there are different solutions that can be applied depending on individual conditions (financial as well as medical conditions).
Ring guards: They are metallic and attached to both sides of the shank with proper width to match the ring shank. This is the least cost solution since it is metallic and not made of gold. Also one can move it up or down with flat , small object so that the ring guard is snug against the finger.
Sizing Dots:Normally applied to two sides of the shank after the ring has been sized properly to avoid the “sliding” of the ring. When proper size of gold dots are applied (as shown in attached photo), ring can stay put as desired , most of the time.
Adjustable Shank: For more severe arthritic cases this might be the solution. As shown in attached diagram/photo, shank of the ring is cut off and replaced with this adjustable shank that normally allows 2 to 3 ring size variation between the knuckle and the finger below.
Latest development (patent pending) for very severe arthritic cases where the flexible shank is applied directly to the finger without going over the knuckle.(Refer to the author of the article for this matter).
Author: Indra Jhaveri. Send emails to amidiamond@live.com
One can reach him also at (602)432-2920 or (602)923-8200
