How To Care For Jewelry Settings
The care and attention that go into cleaning and maintaining jewelry settings depend on the settings’ designs and their unique characteristics. Generally speaking, fragile, more complex setting designs may require careful handling and extra care, while sturdier settings would be easier and simpler to maintain.
Bezel settings – Bezel settings are quite commonly used in precious gemstone jewelry. Relatively speaking, Bezel settings are designed to be sturdy and durable, however, this does not necessarily mean that bezel set jewelry does not require constant care and attention. On the contrary, Bezel settings must be periodically cleaned so as to avoid the metal oxidizing and tarnishing. Bezel set diamonds have their culets and girdles mounted into a slim trench, and their tables are partially covered with a thin metal rim, which is designed to hold the precious gemstone in place. With repeated wear, dirt and grime may accumulate in the tiny gap which is left between the diamonds and the metal rim. The buildup of dirt may cause the metal setting to corrode or discolor if left untreated. The accumulated dirt and grime may be cleaned by using a soft bristled toothbrush and mild toothpaste. The toothbrush’s bristles will be able to reach into the gap and to sufficiently clean out the dirt, without damaging the setting or the mounted diamonds. Avoid using sharpened objects (such as toothpicks or needles) to clean a bezel setting. Hard, sharp objects may end up scratching the diamonds surfaces or the precious metal setting.
Prong settings – Prong settings are perhaps the most popular setting design to be used in jewelry, due to their simplicity and their elegance. However, a major drawback concerning prong settings is the fragility of the less-than-sturdy design. With prong settings, the diamond’s culet is set into a tiny metal cradle, while its table is gripped with tiny metal prongs, used to secure the diamond in its setting. The thin metal prongs are often problematic in that they are rather delicate, and may easily bend and break. A warped prong may result in the diamond coming loose, and falling out of its setting. A such, the best way to care for prong set jewelry is to periodically take the items in to a local jeweler who will professionally clean the jewelry, as well as tighten or replace damaged prongs, ensuring that the diamond will not loosen in its stetting.
Pave settings – Pave set diamonds are held down with the use of tiny metal prongs, which are strategically placed in between the snugly fit gemstones. Pave set diamonds are left mostly bare by this particular setting design, so as to allow an increased amount of light to reflect off of their surfaces, thus enhancing their brilliance and sparkle. As such, pave set diamonds require special care and an increased amount of cleaning since they are left exposed to the elements. Pave settings may be cleaned using a soft cotton cloth or a soft bristled toothbrush. However, whilst cleaning pave set jewelry, one should take care not to rub the stetting too vigorously. Forceful cleaning may result in the tiny delicate prongs bending or breaking, and the diamonds falling out of the stetting. As with prong settings, having a jeweler professionally clean and repair pave set jewelry would be the wisest course of action.
In his articles, Rick Thomas shares his diamond jewelry expertise which he has acquired through many years of work in the diamond industry. Wedding rings, engagement rings and designers jewelry are among the diamond education themes discussed in his articles.
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