Keeping Your Diamonds Brilliant
A clean diamond is a brilliant diamond. Over time, natural skin oils, lotions, soap residue, and everyday grime accumulate on diamond surfaces, creating a thin film that blocks light from entering and exiting the stone. Regular cleaning restores the full fire and brilliance that made you fall in love with your diamond in the first place. The good news: lab-grown diamonds require exactly the same care as mined diamonds — no special treatment needed.
The Best At-Home Cleaning Method
This simple method safely cleans virtually all diamond jewelry:
- Prepare the solution: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn) with warm (not hot) water in a small bowl. The water should be comfortably warm to touch — approximately 100-110°F
- Soak: Place your diamond jewelry in the solution for 15-20 minutes. This loosens oils, lotions, and everyday buildup
- Gentle scrub: Using a very soft toothbrush (extra-soft bristles only), gently brush around the diamond and the setting. Pay special attention to the back of the diamond (pavilion) and under any prongs where grime accumulates
- Rinse: Hold the jewelry under warm running water. If cleaning rings, put the drain stopper in first or rinse over a bowl
- Dry: Pat dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth. Avoid paper towels — they can leave fibers
Cleaning Frequency
- Daily-wear pieces (engagement rings, studs): Clean every 1-2 weeks
- Regular-wear pieces (bracelets, pendants): Clean monthly
- Occasional-wear pieces: Clean before and after wearing
- Quick refresh: A quick breathe-and-polish with a microfiber cloth can be done daily for daily-wear pieces
Professional Cleaning Options
Ultrasonic Cleaners
These use high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles that blast away dirt. Ultrasonic cleaners are very effective but come with caveats:
- Safe for: Solid diamond rings in standard settings (prong, bezel, channel)
- Avoid for: Pieces with multiple hinges (tennis bracelets, tennis necklaces), pavé settings with many small stones, or any piece with loose settings
- Caution: Vibrations can loosen already-compromised prongs. Have prongs inspected before ultrasonic cleaning
Steam Cleaners
Professional jewelers use steam cleaners that blast high-pressure steam to dissolve and remove dirt. Very effective and generally safe for diamond jewelry, but should be done by professionals who can assess each piece individually.
Annual Professional Service
Once a year, take your valuable diamond jewelry to a professional jeweler for:
- Deep cleaning with professional equipment
- Prong inspection and tightening
- Clasp and hinge inspection
- Rhodium re-plating for white gold pieces
- General condition assessment
What to NEVER Do
- Never use bleach, chlorine, or harsh chemicals: These can damage gold alloys and certain settings. Swimming pool chlorine is particularly damaging
- Never use abrasive cleaners: Baking soda paste, toothpaste, and scouring powders can scratch metal settings
- Never use boiling water: Thermal shock can crack diamonds with certain types of inclusions (rare in lab-grown diamonds, but why risk it?) and can damage some settings
- Never clean over an open drain: Always plug the sink or use a bowl. More jewelry is lost down drains than to any other cause
- Never use hand sanitizer as a cleaner: While not harmful in incidental contact, the alcohol can leave a residue and doesn't effectively clean the underside of settings
Daily Habits for Lasting Brilliance
The "Last On, First Off" Rule
Put your diamond jewelry on LAST when getting ready (after perfume, lotion, hairspray, and sunscreen) and take it off FIRST when coming home. This minimizes exposure to products that coat the diamond surface.
Remove Before:
- Cooking (grease, steam, and food particles)
- Cleaning with household chemicals
- Exercising (sweat and impact)
- Swimming (chlorine and saltwater)
- Applying lotion, perfume, or sunscreen
- Gardening (dirt and potential impact)
Safe to Wear During:
- Office work
- Social events
- Shopping
- Casual dining
- Light walking/travel
Storage Between Wearings
Recommended Pieces
- 14K White Gold 2 1/5Ct Pear/Trapezoid Ladies Ring
- Luxury 14K White Gold Ladies Ring 2 3/4CT
- Ladies Solitaire Ring 1Ct Emerald 14K Yellow Gold
Proper storage prevents scratching and tangling:
- Store each piece in its own soft-lined compartment or individual pouch
- Diamonds are the hardest material — they will scratch other jewelry, including other diamonds
- Keep pieces away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- Use anti-tarnish strips in your jewelry box to protect silver and white gold settings