A Jewelry Expert’s Guide to Cleaning Diamond Jewelry
If you want to clean diamond jewelry properly and keep it sparkling for years to come, this guide is for you.
Everyone loves that “new car smell,” whether it’s an actual car, a new phone, or even natural diamond jewelry. After all, when something is precious to you, you usually want it to look brand new forever. The reality is that over time, our own skin oils and outside elements can dull the sparkle of your treasured diamond jewelry. But no worries: you can easily clean diamond jewelry at home so it looks like the very first time you wore it.
Follow our expert tips to safely and easily clean diamond jewelry and keep your entire natural diamond jewelry collection looking its absolute best.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
Diamond Jewelry Cleaning Toolkit
What You’ll Need to Properly Clean Diamond Jewelry:
- A small bowl (ceramic or glass works best).
- Warm water (tepid, not boiling).
- Mild dish soap (ensure it’s free from moisturizers or bleach).
- A new, soft-bristled toothbrush (reserved exclusively for jewelry).
- A lint-free or microfiber cloth (to prevent snags and scratches).
Home-Based Cleaners and Tools
Step 1: The simplest way to clean diamond jewelry is to soak the pieces in warm water mixed with an ordinary de-greasing solution like dish soap. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or toothpaste, which can erode precious metals over time.
Step 2: If you are doing this over a sink, make sure the drain is blocked so nothing can fall in.
Step 3: To remove any remaining dirt, scrub with a soft-bristled, clean/new toothbrush, reserved only for cleaning diamond jewelry.
Step 4: Remember to clean the back of the diamond and the crevices, which attract the most oil and grime.
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly with warm water until all of the soap is gone.
Step 6: Dry with a paper towel, letting it sit if necessary to dry completely.
Step 7: Some jewelry may get dirtier more often than others, so repeat cleaning when you feel a piece isn’t sparkling the way it should. This could be weekly or monthly.
Using a Jewelry Ultrasonic or Steam Cleaner to Clean Diamond Jewelry
You can purchase an ultrasonic and or steam cleaner made for at-home use at many major online retailers. These devices are home versions of the tools professionals use and offer an effective way to clean diamond jewelry thoroughly, helping your pieces look as brilliant as possible.
Step 1: Mix the correct amount (manufacturer specifications usually note to use about one part cleaner to two parts water) of ultrasonic cleaning solution with water in the reservoir. If you do not have ultrasonic cleaning solution, you can also use multi-purpose at-home cleaners that do not contain bleach, acid or ammonia (i.e., Mr. Clean or Mean Green).
Step 2: Turn on the machine. You will hear it working as the ultrasonic waves bounce around inside.
Step 3: Add your diamond jewelry to the reservoir while it is on. The ultrasonic waves will knock loose dirt and grime in all hard-to-get areas. Please note that while natural diamond jewelry will not be damaged in these machines, other gemstones may be more fragile. Please consult your jeweler if you are not sure.
Step 4: You can leave your jewelry in the machine for up to 30 min while it cleans. Feel free to swish the jewelry around inside the cleaner while holding it with tweezers in order to loosen stuck-on dirt. Please note to only use jewelry tweezers that have rubber-coated tips, so you do not scratch the metal.
Step 5: After it has been in the cleaner for enough time, remove it with tweezers and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 6: Optional step: If you also have a jewelry steam cleaner, fill it with plain water, turn it on and allow it to heat up according to manufacturer directions. Hold the jewelry tightly with rubber-tipped tweezers and put it under the steam nozzle.
Step 7: Optional step: While under the nozzle, press the steam button and steam the whole piece of jewelry, moving around to get steam in every area. Be careful; it’s hot.
Step 8: Dry with a paper towel, letting sit if necessary to dry completely.
Step 9: Repeat as often as you like.
We advise proceeding cautiously and consulting a professional jeweler before attempting this for the first time. While these machines can effectively clean diamond jewelry, a deep cleaning may loosen stones in their settings or damage gems that are not natural diamonds or have undergone non-natural treatments.
Cleaning Solutions
Many companies make solutions specifically formulated to clean diamond jewelry, often designed to break down the oils, lotions, and everyday buildup that dull its sparkle. While most jewelry cleaners on the market share similar ingredients, there are important differences worth noting.
As with anything, read the details before purchasing to ensure you are choosing a cleaner made for your specific jewelry. This matters because formulas created for sterling silver can work differently than those designed for yellow or white gold. It’s also important to remember that while natural diamonds can withstand most cleaning solutions, other gemstones may be more delicate. Always follow the directions carefully. Below is a selection of popular options and what sets them apart.
- Diamond Drunk is a completely vegan and non-toxic jewelry cleaner made from natural ingredients. It is a stylish option with a recyclable glass bottle that looks great on your counter and even has multiple scents to choose from. This cleaner is designed to soak overnight so your jewelry is clean every morning
- Connoisseurs make many types of jewelry cleaner and have options specifically for sterling silver and a delicate option for gemstones other than natural diamonds. They also have a handy pen cleaner that is great for travel.
- Lavish offers a traditional non-toxic cleaner as well as a travel pen for cleaning on the go. Their signature product is a spray foam cleaner that users say works best.
How to Store Your Diamond Jewelry
Natural diamonds are among the oldest and hardest substances on Earth. Because of their exceptional hardness, they can scratch other metals, gemstones, and even other diamonds. Proper storage is essential to prevent damage and minimize how often you need to clean diamond jewelry due to unnecessary wear.
- We recommend that once you take off your favorite pieces of diamond jewelry, they are better stored separately from other pieces of jewelry so they are not touching.
- Storing your natural diamonds in their boxes or storing them in soft cloth pouches can protect them from any damage.
- Make sure you store your jewelry box in a cool, dry and secure place, as moisture in the air could tarnish some metals.
- To protect your diamonds and give you peace of mind, you can also have them insured against theft, damage or loss. Most insurance companies offer separate insurance policies or additions to current insurance for natural diamond jewelry. Please note that you will need to submit appraisals for each piece in order to be covered. If you do not have an appraisal, your local jeweler can help.
Other Tips to Keep Your Diamond Sparkling
- Avoid thick lotions and creams that can result in residue build-up.
- Avoid wearing your rings when you indulge in any labor-intensive activities such as sports, gardening or swimming. This will help to keep the diamond secure in its setting.
- It is best to remove your jewelry while cooking, as food and other oils can also cause buildup.
- Perfume, sunscreen, hairspray, detergents and bleach used in everyday life contain harsh abrasive solutions that can erode or dull the metal in your jewelry. Although they will not hurt the diamond, it is important to also keep the metal intact, so your diamonds stay in place.
- We highly recommend that you take your diamond jewelry to a reputable jeweler for periodic professional cleaning once every six months to a year to ensure all is well. The jeweler can examine the setting and check your jewelry for any weakness, trauma, or loose prongs. When you catch these issues early, they can be fixed before anything major occurs.
Natural diamonds are wonders of nature meant to be worn and enjoyed. With regular care and the occasional professional checkup, you can clean diamond jewelry properly and ensure your treasured pieces sparkle for generations to come.
Important Jewelry Cleaning Reminders
- Be Gentle: Use light pressure when brushing to avoid loosening prongs or scratching metal when you clean diamond jewelry.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of bleach, toothpaste, ammonia or abrasive cleaners that can damage precious metals.
- Check Your Stones: Inspect for loose stones before and after you clean diamond jewelry to help prevent accidental loss.
- Block the Sink: Always plug the drain when cleaning over a sink to avoid losing your jewelry.
