How to clean diamonds

Jewelry Gifts for Women
February 9, 2016
Diamonds : Quality Always Counts
February 22, 2016

How to clean diamonds

This page contains references to diamonds or engagement rings from different companies. Sometimes I do receive a commission when you click on links and buy the products.

Whilst diamonds may be the hardest mineral known to man, they aren’t impervious to becoming dirty through day to day wear and they can still become chipped and damaged through accidental knocks.

Owning any piece of diamond jewelry will last a lifetime and will look just as stunning in the decades to come as they do the day they emerge from their presentation box if they are looked after well. The key though is keeping the diamonds clean and caring for them so they don’t suffer aesthetically through inadequate storage or being worn in challenging environments.

Every day wear diamond jewelry

If you wear diamond pieces every day, engagement rings for example, they can quickly pick up grime and dirt from your surrounding environment. Even products such as soap will contribute to your beautiful diamond looking dull over time as well as soil, dough and hand cream.

hands-woman-girl-silver

The key to cleaning a diamond is to be gentle; a simple bathroom item such as a toothbrush dipped in a baking soda and water solution will do the job perfectly. Use the cleaner-coated soft bristles of the brush to gently clean all areas of the diamond and the surrounding metal. Get into every area of the setting; raised prong settings are particularly prone to holding dirt in them.  Once you’ve really given the item a thorough clean, rinse in warm water and gently dry with a soft cloth.

Try to get into the habit of removing your rings when carrying out tasks such as baking or preparing food as well as when you wash your hand in the rest room and the amount of debris will noticeably decrease.

Heirloom pieces

Antique family pieces of diamond jewelry can be fragile and should be treated with particular care.

Checks should first be made on the general condition of the antiques every so often. In particular, look out for loose stones or damaged settings and if any damage is seen take it to a jeweller who is used to working with older, delicate pieces.

antique jewelry

 

Don’t over clean heirloom diamond jewelry as it could mean that any intricate design detail could be lost or stones could be scratched or dislodged with over-zealous polishing.

It must be remembered that toiletries and other products can coat and cause deterioration to antique diamond necklaces and earrings. Any use of hairspray, body oils or perfume must always be made before the jewelry is worn to ensure as little is transferred as possible. Hairspray in particular is difficult to remove without professional assistance so always wait until you have styled and sprayed before putting on jewelry.

Invisible dirt and storage

Bacteria from skin cells will gather over time within any piece of diamond jewelry and it isn’t visible to the naked eye. The accumulation though will mean that over time the diamond will look dull and lifeless as well as being unhygienic, so clean regularly to keep it sparkling.

Store diamond jewelry in soft, individual pouches or cases. This way, the gems won’t knock against each other as they would if they were placed in a box all together. Check settings and the general condition regularly and if in doubt about how to care for or clean any diamond pieces, consult an expert. If you don’t already own any diamond jewlery then head to my Whiteflash review page to help you find the best quality and value diamonds.

Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins, known as Your Diamond Guru, is a diamond enthusiast who became an expert after searching for an engagement ring for his fiancée. Frustrated by the lack of guidance, he studied diamonds and became the go-to person for advice on buying the best diamonds. Richard launched Your Diamond Guru to provide unbiased reviews and resources to help others make informed purchasing decisions. He emphasizes the importance of considering factors beyond size, such as cut, color, clarity, carat, certification, and light performance.