How to Safely Clean Diamond Jewellery at Home

Diamond jewellery is timeless, classy, and incredibly durable, known for its unmatched hardness, but keeping it sparkling and beautiful requires proper care.

As the owner of Hunters Fine Jewellery, with years of experience in the field, I understand how crucial it is to maintain your cherished diamond pieces while ensuring they stay as beautiful as the day you got them.

In this guide, I'll share the expertise I've gained over many years of selling fine jewellery and helping my customers keep their pieces in pristine condition. I'll also explain how to clean diamond jewellery at home safely and effectively, ensuring your diamonds stay as brilliant as the day you got them.

Whether you have diamond rings, earrings, or necklaces, these easy-to-follow steps will help you maintain their brilliance. With years of experience in jewellery care, I want to ensure your diamonds stay as stunning as the day you got them.

This guide is part of a series on jewellery care. For more detailed cleaning guides, check out our articles on cleaning gold jewellery and cleaning silver jewellery.

Jump to Sections

• Materials Needed
• Step-by-Step Cleaning Methods
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Daily and Professional Care Tips
• Storage Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions

Materials Needed

To clean your diamond jewellery at home effectively, you'll need the following items:

• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• Soft-bristle toothbrush
• Lint-free cloth
• Bowl

Step-by-Step Cleaning Methods

The following methods include insights from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a leading authority in gemology, to ensure your diamond jewellery is cleaned effectively and safely.

1. Dish Soap and Warm Water

This is one of the safest and most effective ways to clean diamond jewellery at home.

• Instructions: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak your diamond jewellery for 20-30 minutes to loosen any dirt or oils.
• Gently Scrub: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to carefully scrub the diamond and its setting, making sure to reach all crevices.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse under warm running water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

2. Baking Soda Method

Baking soda is another useful household ingredient for diamond jewellery cleaning.

• Instructions: Mix a cup of hot water with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda. Soak the jewellery for a few minutes, gently scrub with a soft brush and rinse.
• Alternative: You can also create a baking soda paste by mixing it with water and applying it directly to the jewellery for deeper cleaning.

3. Vodka for Shine

Surprisingly, vodka can help restore the sparkle of diamonds.

• Instructions: Dip your diamond jewellery in vodka for a few minutes. The alcohol dissolves dirt and grime, making the diamond sparkle again. After soaking, rinse well with warm water and dry with a cloth.

4. Ammonia-Based Cleaning (Recommended by GIA)

GIA recommends using an ammonia-based household cleaner, like a window cleaner, to effectively clean diamond jewellery.

• Instructions: Mix a 50:50 solution of cold water and an ammonia-based household cleaner. Soak your diamond jewellery in the mixture for 20-30 minutes. After soaking, gently scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush, rinse thoroughly with warm water, and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Source: GIA Guidelines for Cleaning Diamond Jewellery

5. Denture Tablets

Denture tablets are an easy and accessible cleaning solution.

• Instructions: Dissolve a denture tablet in a bowl of warm water. Soak your diamond jewellery in the solution for a few minutes. The fizzing action helps loosen dirt and grime. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners: Ultrasonic cleaners may be tempting, but they can loosen the prongs holding your diamond in place, especially if used incorrectly. If you have intricate or older settings, it is best to leave ultrasonic cleaning to professionals who can do it safely.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine, bleach, or abrasives, as these can erode metals used in the diamond setting and loosen the prongs, potentially resulting in lost stones.
• No Abrasive Cleaners: Toothpaste and powdered cleaners can scratch your jewellery and dull its shine.
• Use Soft Brushes Only: Hard-bristled brushes can scratch the diamond or loosen the prongs.

Daily and Professional Care Tips

• Regular Inspections: Regular inspections are vital to prevent costly repairs and potential stone loss. Ensure that your settings are sturdy and prongs are not worn down. Source: GIA Guidelines for Cleaning Diamond Jewellery
• Insurance and Appraisal: Insure and appraise your diamond jewellery to protect against loss or damage. Jewellery appraisals are also important to keep your insurance policies up-to-date, especially with fluctuating diamond prices. Proper insurance coverage can offer peace of mind, especially for valuable pieces.
• Daily Rub: After wearing your diamond jewellery, rub it gently with a soft cloth to remove dirt and oils that may dull its shine.
• Professional Cleaning: GIA recommends having your diamond jewellery cleaned and inspected by a professionally trained jeweller every 6 months. Professional cleaning ensures that your prongs are secure and your diamonds are thoroughly cleaned, often using steam or ultrasonic cleaning methods.

Storage Tips

• Store Separately from Other Gemstones: Diamonds are very hard, ranking 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, and can easily scratch softer gemstones like pearls and opals. Store diamond jewellery separately to avoid damage to other pieces.
• Avoid Heat and Moisture: Keep diamond jewellery away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and damp areas to avoid damage to both the diamond and the metal setting. Store your diamond jewellery in a fabric-lined jewellery box or individual soft pouches to prevent scratching.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can ultrasonic cleaners be used for diamonds?
   Ultrasonic cleaners can be effective for cleaning diamonds, but they come with risks. The vibration can loosen the prongs holding the diamond, which could lead to losing the stone. It's generally safer to have ultrasonic cleaning done by a professional, especially for intricate settings.
2. How can I tell if my diamond jewellery needs professional maintenance?
   If you notice looseness in the prongs, visible dirt that won't come off with regular cleaning, or if the diamond appears dull, it's time for professional maintenance.
3. How should I store my diamond jewellery to avoid damage?
   Store your diamond jewellery separately in a fabric-lined jewellery box or in soft pouches. This will prevent scratching other jewellery and protect against environmental damage.
4. What kind of cloth is best for cleaning diamond jewellery?
   A soft, lint-free cloth, like a microfiber cloth, is ideal for gently wiping diamond jewellery clean.
5. How often should you clean diamond jewellery?
   It’s recommended to clean diamond jewellery at home every 1-2 weeks or whenever it starts to look dull.
6. Is it safe to use toothpaste to clean diamonds?
   No, toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch both the diamond and the metal setting.
7. What should I do if my diamond jewellery has gemstones?
   Avoid submerging it in water for long periods. Use a damp cloth to clean the diamond and a soft brush to clean around the gemstones.

Conclusion

With these simple steps, your diamond jewellery will maintain its gorgeous sparkle, ensuring the clarity and colour of your diamond are always at their best. Regular at-home cleaning paired with occasional professional maintenance will keep your cherished pieces looking their best. By following these methods to clean diamond jewellery at home, you can ensure they continue to shine beautifully for years to come. For more on jewellery care, check out our guides on cleaning gold jewellery and cleaning silver jewellery.

Hunters Fine Jewellery is here to help you with any questions or professional services you may need to keep your jewellery sparkling. Feel free to reach out if you need expert advice or want your jewellery professionally cleaned.