Kimberley Fine Diamonds

Diamonds do need care to keep them at their brilliant best. A clean diamond not only reflects light better, but actually looks bigger than one that's been "dulled" by skin oils, soap, cosmetics and cooking grease. Diamonds have an affinity for grease and should be cleaned once every month to keep their fire at its brightest.

The detergent bath

Prepare a small bowl of warm suds with any mild liquid detergent. Brush pieces gently with a tooth brush while they are in the suds. Transfer to a wire strainer and rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft, lintless cloth.

The cold water soak

Make a half and half solution of cold water and house hold ammonia in a cup. Soak the diamond for 30 minutes. Lift out and tap gently around the back and front of the mounting with a small brush. Swish in the solution once more, and drain on paper. No rinse is needed.

The quick-dip method

Buy one of the brand-name liquid jewellery cleaners with its kit, and follow the instructions.

• Don't let your diamond come into contact with a chlorine bleach when you're doing house-work. It won't hurt the diamond, but it can pit or discolor the mounting.
• Don't wear your diamond when you're doing rough work. Even though a diamond is durable, it can be chipped by a hard blow along its grain.
• Don't jumble your diamond pieces in a drawer or jewellery case because diamonds can scratch each other and also scratch other jewellery.
• Take your diamonds to your jeweller for a "check-up" at lest once a year. Your jeweller will check your ring for loose settings and signs of wear and usually give them a professional "polish" too.