How to Remove Hard Water Stains From Diamond Jewelry

Diamonds are a girl's best friend and a girl wants her friend to look her best.  Hard water stains can be particularly stubborn to remove whether they are in the bathroom or on your jewelry.  If your diamonds have hard water stains, there are a number of solutions that can remove them safely and effectively.

Diamond jewelry is at its best when it sparkles and shines.  Regular cleaning will help your jewelry continue to look its best.  Hard water stains can be particularly stubborn.  Hard water is generally a result of increased amounts of calcium present.  In order to remove stains caused from this increased level, a mild acidic solution would be required in order to remove it.  More in depth cleaning will generally be required for jewelry that is particularly dirty.  There are several methods for safely removing hard water stains ranging from simple solutions to more complex ones.

• Use a simple solution of dish soap and tap water.  Use very hot water, and very mild dish soap.  Allow the jewelry to soak for about 30 minutes, and then use a soft brush to clean the jewelry.  After the cleaning is complete, use a soft lint free cloth for drying.
• Drop a denture cleanser tablet into a glass of warm water.  Place the jewelry into the glass, and let it sit for 5 minutes.  Pour the water out, rinse the jewelry, and pat it dry with a clean, dry, lint free cloth.  Be certain that you do not let your jewelry air dry, as this tends to create spots.
• Soak your jewelry in a full strength white vinegar solution for about 30 minutes.  Once the soaking is complete, brush the jewelry with a soft brush.  When the jewelry is clean, rinse it in warm water, and then pat the jewelry dry with a clean, dry cloth.
• Soak the jewelry in an ammonia solution.  Use 1/4 cup of ammonia and 1-cup of warm water. In order for any dirt and grease to loosen, the item should stand in the solution for between 15 and 20 minutes.  Then move the ring into a soapy solution consisting of 1 cup warm water and 1/2 teaspoon mild dish soap.  Rinse the jewelry in the soapy solution to rinse off the ammonia solution.  Once thoroughly rinsed, remove the ring from the solution, and brush it with a soft bristled brush.  Use gentle strokes.  Rinse the jewelry in warm water, and dry with a soft, dry cloth.

Be certain to attempt the more simple solutions before moving on to more complex ones.  Use caution when cleaning fractured diamonds in particular.  They should never be placed in an ammonia solution as they can cloud or discolor the filling material.