You’ve spent a significant amount of money on a piece of diamond jewelry and you want to take care of it the best way possible. In this article we will explain how to best clean your diamond ring, earrings or necklace.
What’s important is knowing how to take care of your diamond jewelry, the right way. Maintenance is not only cleaning, it’s also taking extra care of it and keeping it safe.
Why Should You Take Care of Your Diamond Jewelry?
When you buy a piece of diamond jewelry, you don’t necessarily think of the maintenance that will later be required. Most people have this preconception that you wear your diamond ring or necklace or earrings and they will shine and look new forever, but much like anything else, a little love and care are required to maintain its brilliance.
To Keep that Shine and Brilliance
The way a piece of diamond jewelry shines is exactly what makes it so beautiful, and an important aspect of why it is valued in so many ways. You want to take care of your diamond jewelry to keep that brilliance, as brilliant as possible.
To Maintain its Value
Any piece of diamond jewelry will have a specific value for the mere fact that it has a diamond. A good reason why you should maintain a cleaning process and take care of your diamond jewelry is to help maintain its value if you do so happen to want to sell it in the future.
To Avoid Expensive repairs and Maintenance
You can expect that without proper care and cleaning, your piece of diamond jewelry will get scratched, have blemishes, and lose its shine. In other cases, no maintenance may also lead to damage that needs professional repairs. Take care of your diamond jewelry to avoid expensive repairs and maintenance.
To Keep it Protected from loss, theft or Damages
With such a valuable piece of jewelry, anything with a diamond is subject to loss, theft, and damages. There are professional ways that you can protect your jewelry from any possible problems.
How to Clean a Diamond Ring
As careful as you think you may be, your diamond ring is most likely exposed to oil and dirt that can damage its surface. There are physical things that you can do to avoid scratches and damages to your diamond ring. Learning how to clean a diamond ring will guarantee that you maintain its brilliance and shine, for as long as possible.
Do a Daily rub to Remove Dirt and Oil
Clean the diamond often to keep it free of lotions, skin oil, and dirt. That way, it won’t look cloudy. At the end of the day, rub it against a soft cloth (or even your own shirt) to keep it sparkly. You can also wipe your jewelry clean with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wear to remove oils and salt.
Use Water and Dishwashing Liquid to Clean the Dirt
Soak the diamond in a mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub it clean, says Tracy Lantz, associate director of public relations at the Diamond Information Center. Do this at least once a month.
Use Ammonia and Cold Water to Loosen Dirt
Soak your diamond in a 50:50 mixture of ammonia (like window cleaner) and cold water for half an hour. Then, let it air dry. Be sure to use this only with real diamonds, since ammonia may damage other stones. Do this once or twice a week.
What is the safest way to clean a diamond?
The safest way to clean a diamond is by using a simple and gentle method. Start by creating a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Soak the diamond ring in the solution for a few minutes to loosen any dirt or grime. Then, use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a clean, lint-free cloth to gently scrub the diamond and its setting. Be sure to reach all the crevices and corners. Rinse the ring thoroughly under warm running water to remove any soapy residue. Finally, pat dry with a clean cloth or let it air dry. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could potentially damage the diamond.
How to Clean a Diamond Necklace or Earrings
Necklaces or earrings may not be worn as often as diamond rings, but this doesn’t mean that they are not exposed to the same oil and dirt that can damage their surface. Here are two easy ways to clean a diamond necklace or earrings.
Use a Jewelry Cleaner
If you don’t want to use your household cleaners, you can choose to buy specific jewelry cleaners. You can ask at any local jewelry store if they have any available. Soak your diamond in this cleaner according to the instructions on its label.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is great for cleaning all types of jewelry, including diamond jewelry. Mix a cup of hot water with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Place the jewelry in the mix for a few minutes. Rinse, and pat dry with a clean cloth. As an alternative, you could also make a paste out of 1/4 cup baking soda and two tablespoons of water. Apply this paste to the jewelry and clean it using a brush or cloth.
After cleaning dirt off of your diamond jewelry, there are a few methods you can do to bring back its original luster and brilliance.
How often should I clean my diamond ring?
You should aim to clean your diamond ring regularly, ideally once every 1-2 weeks or whenever it becomes visibly dirty or loses its sparkle.
Do diamonds lose their sparkle?
No, diamonds do not lose their sparkle over time. Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to maintain their brilliance. However, factors such as dirt, oils, or residue that may accumulate on the surface of the diamond can diminish its sparkle. Regular cleaning can easily restore the diamond’s sparkle by removing these substances and allowing the diamond to shine to its fullest potential. By keeping your diamond clean and well-maintained, you can ensure that it continues to exhibit its timeless sparkle for years to come.
How to Make Your Diamond Jewelry Shine
Soak Your Diamond Jewelry in Club Soda
To make diamonds shiny again, soak them in a glass of club soda overnight. In the morning, your jewelry will be sparkly again, according to Reader’s Digest.
Polish Gold Jewelry with Baking Soda
To polish gold diamond jewelry, use a paste made of baking soda as mentioned above. Then, pour a bit of vinegar over the jewelry, rinse and pat dry.
Use Denture Tablets
Another method for making diamonds shiny is by using denture tablets. Drop one tablet into a glass of water. Place your jewelry inside and let it sit for a few minutes. Remove it and rinse to see it shine again.
Use Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a well-known jewelry cleaner. Squeeze a bit onto an old, soft toothbrush and scrub your diamond jewelry gently with it. It will sparkle, just like your teeth do after brushing. Rinse and dry with a cloth.
Use Vodka, Yes, Vodka!
Although this may seem surprising, Reader’s Digest claims vodka will clean any type of jewelry. Dip your diamond jewelry into a shot of vodka for a few minutes and watch it sparkle again.
Can water damage diamonds?
No, water alone does not damage diamonds. Diamonds are highly resistant to water and will not be affected by it. However, certain substances or chemicals in the water, such as chlorine or harsh soaps, can potentially harm the metal or other gemstones in the ring, so it is important to be cautious.
Does salt water clean diamonds?
No, salt water does not clean diamonds. While salt water may help to rinse off some dirt or debris, it is not an effective cleaning agent for diamonds. To properly clean a diamond, it is recommended to use a gentle cleaning solution specifically designed for jewelry.
What not to clean your ring with?
- Avoid cleaning your ring with bleach or harsh chemicals as they can damage the metal and stone.
- Avoid using household cleaners or detergents with strong chemicals as they may cause discoloration or damage.
- Stay away from ultrasonic jewelry cleaners unless explicitly recommended by the manufacturer, as they can be too harsh for certain ring settings.
- Do not use abrasive materials such as steel wool or rough brushes, as they can scratch the metal or loosen the stones.
- Do not use ammonia-based cleaners as they can weaken the setting and potentially damage the diamond or gemstone.
Daily Practices to Take Care of Your Diamond Jewelry
It’s not just the cleaning that will help you maintain the quality of your diamond jewelry. There are daily practices that you can do to take care of your diamond jewelry and avoid scratches and damages.
Separate Diamonds from Other Jewelry
To avoid scratches, keep diamond jewelry away from your other jewelry. Keep it in its original box, in a fabric-lined jewelry case, wrapped in soft tissue paper or in a separate jewelry pouch. This is a really important practice to take care of your diamond jewelry.
Inspect the Diamond
Make sure the diamond isn’t scratched and that its setting is secure. If you notice any changes, bring them to a professional jeweler for inspection.
Limit Exposure and Contact with Cosmetics
You will get cosmetics and other substances on your diamond, but avoid them whenever possible. For example, don’t keep the diamond on a bathroom shelf, where you use perfume, hairspray, deodorant, and air freshener regularly. Such substances create buildup, which dulls the diamond’s brilliance and sparkle.
Brush the Diamond
A soft toothbrush is a great diamond cleaning tool. After soaking it in ammonia or another substance, use a toothbrush to remove leftover dirt. Brush the back of the diamond, which is the dirtiest area. Do this gently though.
Handle with Care
Always be gentle when handling diamonds. When done cleaning, rinse the diamond with water and wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth at all times. Do this as often as you can to take care of your diamond jewelry.
Avoid Contact with Harsh Solutions
Do not use chlorine or abrasives when cleaning diamonds, which may damage the jewelry. These cleaners can erode the metals used in diamond settings by loosening the prongs or dissolving the metal completely. These chemicals may also discolor the jewelry.
Protect Your Diamonds
Just as harsh chemicals may damage the diamonds, so can sharp blows, sunlight and extreme temperatures. Remove diamonds when gardening or when outside in extreme, above-normal temperatures.
Remove in Times of Hard Work
Diamonds are durable, but they may chip. Take the diamond off when doing rough work like gardening, cleaning, home renovating, etc., to make sure it doesn’t get damaged.
Keep it Away from Sinks
A piece of diamond jewelry, like a ring or small bracelet, may easily fall down the sink drain. It might get damaged or lost forever, as a result. Avoid placing diamond jewelry on the rim of a sink.
Use the Glass Jar Method
You can clean your diamonds with another homemade mixture, according to Charles Walker of Edward Petri Jewelry. Mix 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon of ammonia and 2 drops of dish soap together in a glass jar. Seal the jar and shake it. Place your jewelry in the jar for a few minutes, no more than five, then remove it and clean with a soft toothbrush.
Let it Skip the Shower
Don’t shower in your diamond jewelry. Put it on after showering, drying, and after applying lotions and other cosmetics. The cosmetic buildup makes it look dull and lifeless. And if you’re using soap or shampoos with strong chemicals, this too can affect the shine of your jewelry. Most people assume that it’s okay to wear this in the shower with you, but the truth of the matter is, it’s best to keep it out of the shower if you want to take care of your diamond jewelry.
Use a Toothpick if You Must
To get a piece of dirt out from underneath the diamond, use a toothpick or q-tip gently. Simply push the dirt out, then clean and dry as usual. This is a good way to take care of your diamond jewelry as it will keep it from looking discolored or dirty. The food can sometimes even affect the shine of the diamond and the metal.
Keep it on a Chain
Since you need to take off your diamond jewelry for housework and other chores, it’s important to still keep it safe so it doesn’t get damaged or lost. Keep a jewelry box in your kitchen for fast storage, or if the jewelry is a ring, hang it onto a chain if you’re wearing one.
Let the Diamond Rest
If the diamond is in a ring, take it off when doing lots of work with your hands such as cleaning, bathing, swimming or dishwashing. Contact with water may ruin the diamond. It may also slide off your finger easily since fingers shrink when underwater.
Check the Diamond Jewelry at the End of the Day
If it’s a piece of jewelry you wear daily, like an engagement or wedding ring, check it every night before going to bed. Check to see if any stones wiggle and if the prongs seem secure. At this time, you can also rub it clean with a cloth so it sparkles in the morning.
Keep the Diamond Safe
When not wearing it, such as at night, keep the diamond in its original box, or in a special jewelry bag. Store it in a safe, and keep it away from view to avoid luring potential thieves.
Do I Need to Get My Diamond Ring Insured?
The mere size of a piece of diamond jewelry means that it is easy to lose or to be stolen. Insurance may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but it is just as important as insurance on your home or your car. In fact, having insurance or a warranty on your diamond jewelry is recommended by our professionals at Brillianteers.com.
Have Your Diamond Insured
If you have home insurance, you can add a jewelry rider to your insurance. As an alternative, you may also get insurance with a specialty insurer like Jewelers Mutual, according to Martha Stewart Weddings. Be sure to read the fine print. This is an absolutely necessary part of what you need to do to take care of your diamond jewelry.
What You Need to Get Your Diamond Insured:
- Get to Know Your Diamond- With a big investment like a diamond ring, it’s really important to get to know the different features of your diamond. Knowing its cut, carat weight and metal is helpful, especially when you are handling its insurance. Here’s a helpful article about diamonds to get you started.
- Talk to a Jewelry Expert – Whether you’re the buyer of the diamond or have received a diamond from someone else, it is a good idea to talk to someone at the jewelry store about proper care. They may recommend a specific jewelry cleaner or home cleaning method.
Make sure to get your diamond jewelry insured to guarantee that you are protected in the event that a theft or damage occurs.
Make Sure You Buy with a Warranty
When purchasing a diamond, you should receive a warranty on it. Even without the warranty, you should visit your jeweler about once a year for maintenance. The jeweler will check the setting and will clean it professionally. A loose setting may cause the diamond to dislodge, so this is a helpful step to ensuring the diamond stays put and avoids getting damaged. This is a useful tip to help you take care of your diamond jewelry.
Do I Need to Have My Ring Professionally Cleaned or Resized?
There are many different ways for you to take care of your diamond jewelry, make it shine, and maintain its brilliance. You may be wondering if it is necessary to have your diamond ring professionally cleaned. You need to consider all the professional services that will benefit both you and your jewelry, in the long haul.
Have it Cleaned Professionally Cleaned
When you take your jewelry to the jeweler you purchased it from, you will get it cleaned professionally using steam or ultrasonic cleaners. You won’t get the chance to clean your ring like this at home. And it’s an important step to take care of your diamond jewelry.
Get it Professionally Polished
Your jeweler will also polish your jewelry, either on their own or if you ask for it. This is done using a high-speed polishing wheel. This will remove small scratches and will make the jewelry shinier. This is the perfect way to take care of your diamond jewelry with the help of a professional.
Have White Gold Metals Re-Plated
White gold diamond jewelry requires rhodium plating or re-dipping about twice a year. Be sure to get it cleaned and polished thoroughly before getting it re-plated. Take the jewelry to your jeweler to get this done.
Get Rings Resized
Your finger size may change drastically due to weight loss or gain. It may also change depending on the time of day, during pregnancy, and alongside the season’s changing. However, it isn’t recommended or even convenient to get diamond rings resized several times, so find a ring size that suits you best. It should be tight enough that it stays on your finger, but loose enough that it won’t be painful when your finger may swell-up.
Getting your ring resized too often can be damaging to your piece of jewelry. As much as possible, you’d want to take care of your diamond jewelry, and not ruin it. Avoid re-sizing this too many times to keep the quality of your diamond at its best.
What is the safest way to clean a diamond?
It is generally safe to clean your diamond ring regularly, but it is not necessary to clean it every day. Over-cleaning can potentially expose your ring to unnecessary wear and tear. However, if you wear your ring daily and it accumulates dirt, oils, or lotions, it is recommended to clean it regularly to maintain its sparkle and brilliance. A periodic cleaning routine, such as once a week or every few weeks, should be sufficient to keep your diamond ring looking its best. Remember to use a gentle cleaning method and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could potentially damage the diamond or its setting.
Final Thoughts
Remember, diamonds can last forever, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t get scratched, chipped, or smudged. You can adapt everyday cleaning habits, get your diamond jewelry professionally cleaned, and also protected from possible theft or loss in the future. Learning how to take care of your diamond jewelry is the best way to keep it looking as good as new, as safe as possible, for as long as a lifetime.
