How to Keep Your Diamonds Looking Their Best

Allie Ahigian

Tips from the Jewelry Experts 

Diamonds might be forever but it is important to clean and maintain your diamonds to truly keep them looking their best for a long, long time to come.  

In our daily lives, our diamond jewelry gets knocked around and exposed to pollution, dirt, lotion, perfume, soap and all manner of things.  Over time, they build up and can leave your once blindingly-shiny diamonds looking dull and tired.   

The good news is that a good cleaning is easy to do and has the power to absolutely transform your pieces to their original glory.  Just be sure to take great care in the process so that you do it right and don’t risk damaging your treasured jewelry. 

If you have never owned a diamond before or just want to brush up on your diamond care technique then we have compiled a quick guide to diamond care compiled by nearly a century of experience. 

How Often Should I Clean My Diamonds? 

This is a question that often comes up when discussing diamond care. There is no hard and fast schedule for diamond care but the best indicator as to when your diamonds need cleaning is when they begin to dull and lose their sparkle. 

But beware of over-cleaning as it may cause scratches and unnecessary wear and tear on your jewelry. A light clean every couple of weeks or months is sufficient, but it is advisable to clean your diamonds before special occasions or before photographs to give your pieces that extra shine that a well-timed clean can give them.  

Should I Get My Diamonds Professionally Cleaned? 

If you are unsure of the metal of the setting your diamond is housed in or if you are at all unsure about the treatments or modifications that have been made to your piece, then seeking the services of a professional jeweler may be your best option.   

After all, you’d always rather be safe than sorry when it comes to diamond jewelry that has a monetary and sentimental value to you. If you do decide to employ the services of a professional, give them as much information as you possibly can about the piece to ensure the best possible outcome. 

What Equipment Will I Need? 

Be sure to have a shallow cleaning dish on hand, a soft bristle brush, lint free cleaning cloth and mild detergent. Cleaning your diamonds in a place with access to tap water will make the process easier and more efficient, so set yourself up near your kitchen or bathroom sink for greater ease. However, we recommend plugging the drain to minimize the risk of the ring slipping down the drain. The mild detergent you use should be either a professional cleaning solution or a diluted ammonia solution. 

Simple Steps for Effective Cleaning: 

  1. Remove lose debris and dirt gently with a cloth or by blowing gently on the piece. 
  2. Rinse or soak your pieces in a shallow dish to help remove dirt. 
  3. Dip jewellery in your mild detergent. Feel free to let it sit and soak for 10-15 minutes. 
  4. Use your soft bristle brush to remove dirt and debris from the stone, setting and all other surfaces of your jewelry. 
  5. Rinse again if necessary to remove additional debris. 
  6. Go over the diamonds and their settings with your lint free cloth to give them a beautiful shine and polish. 

Dos Don’ts 

Do ensure you clean your jewelry in adequate lighting. 

Do maintain a firm grip on your pieces while cleaning. 

Do check that you are using the correct cleaning solution for the metal of your settings. 

Don’t use regular soap when cleaning as it will leave a residue - specialized cleaners are best. 

Don’t use pins or hard bristled brushes that may damage the surface of the jewelry. 

When in doubt, seek the advice of a jewelry professional.  But once you have the necessary supplies and know-how, you should be able to easily clean and maintain your beautiful diamond jewelry for the rest of your life. 

We welcome anyone to visit our stores at any time to have their jewelry cleaned and inspected. We will thoroughly inspect the gemstones and metal, check security of gemstones, and professionally clean the items. It is best to visit us once or twice a year so that we can ensure your items are looking their best. Plus, who doesn’t love clean shiny jewelry?! 

Related posts

  • Spotlight on Omega

  • Buying a Diamond 101

  • 5 Perfect Jewelry Options for Mother’s Day