What can damage a diamond?

[Mashira]

I have a question of sorts. I was looking at information regarding caring for a diamond engagement ring and there is a whole host of things that suggest you should keep your diamonds away from chlorine, ammonia etc.. and then others that tell you to clean your diamonds with these very substances. Now, I know that certain chemicals can effect gold/platinum settings, but what I would like to know is what can these chemicals do to the (untreated/enhanced) diamond itself?

I've heard everything from 'discolor' the diamond to 'ruin the polish' and even 'develop clouding' and I'm finding these things hard to believe... so, anyone have the truth?

 

[denverappraiser]

Chemically, diamonds are remarkably resistant little things. You can damage them with hydrofluoric acid and aquaregia, and you can burn them at a high enough temperature, but the real risk is in terms of chipping them with just the right impact. Any chemical that you would even remotely consider getting on your skin or that you can buy or sell easily will be fine but, as you point out, the various metals that go into jewelry can be affected by clorine and a few other relatively common chemicals. Even then it usually requires fairly long term and extensive exposure. Swimming every day for an hour in a clorinated pool, for example can, over time, damage the solders that hold together your ring (but your diamond will be fine). Habitually soaking things overnight in a clorine solution is a bad idea for the same reason.

 

[Todd Gray]

Household chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, etc. can damage the treatment in a diamond which has been fracture filled / clarity enhanced. These chemicals however will not damage a natural, untreated diamond.

 

[Mashira]

Thanks guys!

 

[zhuzhu]

Chemically, diamonds are remarkably resistant little things. You can damage them with hydrofluoric acid and aquaregia, and you can burn them at a high enough temperature, but the real risk is in terms of chipping them with just the right impact. Any chemical that you would even remotely consider getting on your skin or that you can buy or sell easily will be fine but, as you point out, the various metals that go into jewelry can be affected by clorine and a few other relatively common chemicals. Even then it usually requires fairly long term and extensive exposure. Swimming every day for an hour in a clorinated pool, for example can, over time, damage the solders that hold together your ring (but your diamond will be fine). Habitually soaking things overnight in a clorine solution is a bad idea for the same reason.

Neil, do you know what kind of acid is safe on diamonds? The reason I ask is because I am mounting a gold crown (with diamonds set in it) to a new band. However there are lead solder residue left on the crown that needs to be removed. The jewelry said he is going to soak the whole thing (gold crown and diamonds) in acid overnight to rid of the lead. Is that safe to do for diamonds?

 

[kenny]

Looking at the same diamond for a long time can severely damage it.

It makes the diamond shrink.

 

[Mashira]

I've heard of sulfuric acid boiling for cleaning diamonds, but it is supposed to be very particular and I (as a complete dunce and laymen, not at all any sort of professional) would think overnight would be too long. I could be wrong though!

 

[sonnyjane]

Looking at the same diamond for a long time can severely damage it.

It makes the diamond shrink.

So true!

 

[Natylad]

Looking at the same diamond for a long time can severely damage it.

It makes the diamond shrink.

HE, HE, HE

 

[septsparkle]

Looking at the same diamond for a long time can severely damage it.

It makes the diamond shrink.

HA! So true.

 

[Andelain]

Looking at the same diamond for a long time can severely damage it.

It makes the diamond shrink.