Even though you expose your diamond engagement rings to grains of sand when you're on the beach, it will not have any significant effect on the diamond(s). However, you need to be careful so the sand doesn't scratch the precious metal.
While your diamond won't be damaged by exposure to sand or salt, it's possible that prolonged exposure can cause weakening of the metal. Sand and salt combined with sunscreen can have the effect of sandpaper if your jewelry pieces are exposed to them and not properly cleaned.
Minerals are assigned a number between 1 and 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale to describe how resistant to scratching they are. Diamonds are given the highest number, a 10. There is nothing that can scratch a diamond except another diamond. A mineral like talc, on the other hand, is a 1 on the scale.
Sand it Down
This method might sound somewhat frightening, but keep in mind that diamonds are the hardest natural elements found. You can physically rub a diamond with sand paper and the stone will appear as if it was untouched. If you notice any damage to the stone, it is likely a fake.
A diamond cannot be scratched by sandpaper. Sandpaper grit has a hardness of 7 to 9 on the Mohs scale, making it softer than a diamond.
Diamond scratches are the result of a bit of rough-and-tumble the polished diamond has endured on its journey to your 'maybe' pile.
Chlorine and other chemicals can harm diamonds and the metals in which they are set. Prolonged exposure to chlorine, as in a swimming pool, can make your diamonds look dull. The chemicals can also eat away at the gold setting.
Diamonds are exceptionally delicate, and thus, they require the utmost care. Harsh chemicals like acetone, chlorine, bleach and other abrasive substances like baking powder and toothpaste will damage your diamond beyond repair.
Build up of makeup, lotion, hair products and creams can mask the brilliance of the diamonds in your ring. Hairspray and some hair chemicals can eat away at gold and also dull the surface of diamonds and gemstones.
A diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth, but if it is placed in an oven and the temperature is raised to about 763º Celsius (1405º Fahrenheit), it will simply vanish, without even ash remaining.
Even though you expose your diamond engagement rings to grains of sand when you're on the beach, it will not have any significant effect on the diamond(s). However, you need to be careful so the sand doesn't scratch the precious metal.
The plastic bristles in a tooth brush themselves cannot scratch metal.
Even though diamond is the hardest natural material, it can chip and fracture in the course of normal wear.
Luckily, precious metals (like platinum and gold) as well as diamonds and most gemstones should be fine if they come in contact with beach sand. Although you don't have to be too worried about any irreparable damage to the ring's metal or stones, sand does pose a potential risk to your bling in another way.
It's possible to repair a scratched diamond provided there's enough carat weight present for the stone to lose a little bit in the process. The most common way to repair a diamond is by polishing the stone. Polishing will remove surface-level scratches without significantly impacting the overall carat weight.
Sand is a hard, abrasive material that can scrape ruthlessly away at many surfaces, including the metal and precious stones in your jewelry. This can lead to scratch marks, scrapes and other types of cosmetic damage. It even has the potential to break jewelry clasps and other functional pieces of your jewelry.
Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals can wear down the metal holding the diamond. Although diamonds are the hardest mineral, over time diamonds can be damaged with contact with harsh chemicals."
A diamond that has not been cleaned for a while can look milky due to a buildup of film and dirt on its facets. Cloudy diamonds can also have diminished transparency from inclusions or other characteristics intrinsic to the crystal from which they are cut.
Any activity that involves any impact on your hands (from contact sports like volleyball to weightlifting) can bend or break the ring's shank or the prongs that hold your stone in place, causing it to fall out of its setting. Bands with pavé diamonds are also at risk during these activities.
Moissanite: The Second Hardest Mineral in Nature after Diamond. The colors seen in moissanite from the Mount Carmel area of northern Israel range from dark blue to light green. photo by Aurélien Delaunay. Moissanite is the name given to naturally occurring silicon carbide and to its various crystalline polymorphs.
What Inclusions Weaken Diamonds? Pretty much ANY Inclusion can Weaken a Diamond. Inclusions can be things like Lines, Cracks, Carbon Spots, Pits, Chips, Fractures, Feathers or Clouds.
Despite its ruggedness, diamond can lose its sparkle with oil or dust deposited on it. To maintain the sparkling of this indestructible gemstone is a tough job, but a possible one!
A dirty stone doesn't sparkle because light simply can't enter the diamond and causes it to appear dull. So, if you notice your diamond jewelry getting cloudier overtime, it's likely due to a dirty surface and there's an easy fix to restore their luster.
The only way diamond clarity can decrease over time is if the diamond is subjected to chipping or breaking. Inclusions inside the diamond are internal flaws, and do not change over time. The inclusions remain as they are, or they can be improved through diamond treatments.