Diamonds may be famed for their hardness and durability, but they still require proper care to maintain their brilliance. Over time, dust, oils, and product build-up can dull a diamond’s sparkle. By following some simple diamond care tips, you can ensure your precious stones remain as radiant as the day you got them.
Even the hardest gemstone on Earth isn’t indestructible. Diamonds rate a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning they resist scratches very well, but they can still accumulate grime or even chip if not handled carefully. A layer of dirt or soap film will block light from entering the stone, making it look cloudy or lackluster. Moreover, the metals holding your diamonds (like gold or platinum) can be damaged by chemicals or rough wear, affecting the security and appearance of your jewelry. In short, routine care protects both the sparkle and the structure of your diamond jewelry.
To preserve your diamond’s beauty, build these daily care habits into your routine:
Remove jewelry during chores and workouts:
Take off your diamond rings or jewelry before cleaning, cooking, heavy lifting, or hitting the gym. This prevents knocks, scratches, and exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. Diamonds can chip from a hard impact despite their hardness, so it’s wise to avoid wearing them during any rough activities.
Avoid contact with cosmetics and chemicals:
Products like hand lotion, sunscreen, perfume, and hairspray can leave a film on diamonds and tarnish the metal settings. Put on your jewelry last, after applying cosmetics, and remove it before using products like hair spray. Also, take off diamond jewelry before showering; soap and shampoo create a dulling film on the stone.
Steer clear of pools and hot tubs:
Chlorine in pools and hot tubs can corrode gold alloys and weaken prongs over time. Repeated exposure to chlorine or other chemicals may even discolor the metal holding your diamond. If you swim regularly, it’s best to leave your diamonds safely stored rather than wearing them in chlorinated or salt water.
Handle with care:
When you do remove your ring or diamond piece, pick it up by the band or chain, not by the diamond itself. Touching the stone directly with your fingers can transfer oils that dull its shine. Similarly, try to avoid banging your ring on hard surfaces. A sharp blow at the wrong angle can cause a diamond to chip or crack, particularly near its edges (diamonds have natural cleavage lines that are vulnerable to impact).
Don’t sleep in your diamonds:
It’s generally recommended to take off diamond rings or earrings before bed. Aside from giving your skin a break, this prevents accidental pressure or snagging that could loosen the stone or bend prongs over time.
By following these everyday precautions, you’ll minimize the wear-and-tear that can diminish your diamond’s beauty.
Your diamonds will sparkle brightest when they are clean. Thankfully, cleaning diamond jewelry at home is straightforward and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. Here’s how to safely clean your diamonds:
Prepare a gentle solution: Fill a bowl with warm (not hot) water and mix in a few drops of mild dish soap. This simple soapy water solution is very effective at loosening dirt and oils from your diamond jewelry. Avoid any cleaners with harsh chemicals or unknown ingredients.
Soak the diamond piece: Place your ring, earrings, or diamond pendant in the solution and let it soak for 15–30 minutes. Soaking helps dislodge stubborn grime in crevices (like behind the stone or around prongs).
Brush delicately: After soaking, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton swab to gently brush the diamond and the setting. Focus on areas behind the diamond and around prongs where buildup accumulates. Do not use a hard brush or excessive force; scrubbing too aggressively could scratch the metal setting or inadvertently loosen a stone.
Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the jewelry under clean lukewarm water to wash away any remaining soap. (Tip: plug your drain or rinse in a fine strainer to avoid any risk of losing loose stones or jewelry down the drain!).
Dry and polish: Gently pat dry with a lint-free soft cloth. Ensure the piece is completely dry, especially around the setting, to prevent water spots on the metal. You can also buff the diamond gently with a jewelry polishing cloth to give it extra shine once it’s dry.
Never use abrasive household cleaners or rough materials on your diamond jewelry. For example, toothpaste is often touted as a DIY jewelry cleaner, but it is abrasive and can scratch gold or platinum settings (and even parts of the diamond). Similarly, avoid chlorine bleach, acetone, or other harsh chemicals; these can damage or discolor the metal mounting and do more harm than good. Stick to mild soap or cleansers specifically made for jewelry.
If your diamond still doesn’t sparkle as expected (for instance, if it’s been a long time since cleaning or the dirt is stubborn), you might consider a commercial jewelry cleaning solution. Just ensure it’s labeled safe for diamonds and for your jewelry’s metal type. Always follow the product instructions carefully.
Finally, ultrasonic cleaners (the little machines that vibrate to shake off dirt) can be used with caution. They do clean effectively, but the vibrations may loosen stones from their settings if a prong is slightly weak. If you use an ultrasonic cleaner at home, double-check afterward that your diamond is secure. When in doubt, it’s safest to have heavily soiled or valuable pieces professionally cleaned rather than risk damage. Please note, for Ecksand rings, we recommend bringing them to us for professional cleaning to ensure your warranty remains valid.
Proper storage is another key aspect of diamond care. Diamonds can actually scratch other jewelry – and even each other – due to their hardness. Follow these storage tips to protect your diamonds when you’re not wearing them:
Separate storage:
Store each diamond piece individually, not jumbled together in a drawer or jewelry box. Ideally, keep diamond jewelry in its own soft pouch or lined jewelry box compartment. This way, your diamonds won’t rub against other diamonds or metal pieces, preventing scratches.
Use soft materials:
Place diamonds on soft surfaces. Many luxury rings come in a box with a fabric or velvet lining; that’s perfect for storage. You can also wrap jewelry in a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid tossing your diamond ring loosely into a hard ring dish where it might scrape against other items.
Cool, dry location:
Moisture and extreme temperatures can be detrimental to jewelry. Store your diamonds in a dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. For example, a bedroom dresser drawer or a safe is better than a humid bathroom. Keeping the storage environment stable helps preserve the metal setting (preventing tarnish or warping) and any other gems on the piece.
Travel with care:
When traveling, use a padded travel jewelry case. Never let your diamond pieces jostle together in a bag. It’s also wise to double-check that any ring boxes or travel pouches are securely closed to avoid losing your treasure.
Even with diligent at-home care, it’s important to have your diamond jewelry professionally inspected and cleaned once in a while. Jewelers have the tools and expertise to deep-clean your diamonds and to check that the settings are secure. Consider these points:
Aim to take your frequently-worn diamond pieces (like an engagement ring) to a jeweler about once or twice a year for a check-up and cleaning. The jeweler will typically steam-clean or ultrasonic-clean the diamond to restore its showroom shine. More importantly, they will examine the prongs, clasps, and mount for any signs of wear or looseness, and fix them if needed. Catching a loose prong early can prevent you from losing a diamond later! If you ever hear a rattling sound in your ring or notice a stone is shifting, bring it in for inspection as soon as possible.
Over years of wear, the tiny metal prongs holding a diamond can wear down or bend. Jewelers can re-tip (build the metal back up) or tighten these prongs to ensure the diamond stays firmly in place. This type of maintenance might only be needed after many years, but it’s good to be aware of.
Professional cleanings can remove hardened grime or get into crevices better than at-home methods. Your diamonds will come back sparkling like new. Please note, for Ecksand rings, we recommend bringing them to us for professional cleaning to ensure your warranty remains valid.
While not a physical “care” tip, remember that accidents can happen. For very valuable or sentimental diamond pieces (like a high-value engagement ring), it’s worth insuring them. A specialized jewelry insurance plan can protect you financially in case of loss, theft, or significant damage. No insurance can replace sentimental value, but it will give peace of mind that you can repair or replace the item if something unforeseen occurs.
For a ring you wear every day, a weekly cleaning is ideal, or at least once every two weeks. Diamonds attract oils from your skin, so a quick weekly clean will prevent buildup of dirt and keep the stone bright. Regular gentle cleanings (using the soap-and-water method described above) are better than infrequent heavy cleanings. In addition to at-home cleanings, get a professional cleaning and check-up once or twice a year for a deep clean and to ensure the setting is secure.
The best method is soaking in warm water with mild dish soap, then gently brushing the diamond and setting with a soft toothbrush. Finish by rinsing and drying with a soft cloth. This simple routine is very effective at removing oils and debris. Avoid any abrasive cleaners. You don’t need fancy products, gentle soap and water does the job safely and well.
Diamonds are extremely hard to scratch, only another diamond (or equally hard material) can scratch a diamond. That said, diamonds are not unbreakable. A forceful hit in the wrong spot can chip or crack a diamond. They have internal “cleavage” lines and can fracture if struck along those weakness lines. Also, the metal setting can be scratched or bent far more easily than the diamond. Treat your diamond jewelry with care: don’t knock it against hard surfaces, and store diamonds separately so they don’t scratch each other.
It’s not recommended. In the shower, soap and shampoo will create a filmy residue on your diamond, dulling its sparkle over time. In pools or hot tubs, the chlorine can damage the ring’s metal (causing discoloration or weakening of gold prongs). There’s also a risk of the ring slipping off in water. Similarly, in the ocean, salt water can be corrosive; it may not harm the diamond itself, but it can wear down the metal and potentially seep into any tiny fractures, plus cold water can shrink your fingers slightly. It’s best to take off your diamond ring before swimming or bathing to be safe.
No. Avoid using abrasive substances like toothpaste, baking soda, or powdered cleaners on diamond jewelry. They won’t scratch you diamond, but they may scratch the metal and other gemstones if your jewelry has them. Toothpaste is formulated to clean hard enamel, but it’s too harsh for gold or platinum. Stick to non-abrasive cleaners (dish soap and water is best, as noted). If you need something stronger, use a jewelry cleaning solution made for diamonds or consult a jeweler.
Ultrasonic cleaners (which use high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution) can effectively clean diamonds by shaking off dirt. Diamonds themselves are not typically harmed by ultrasound, but the concern is that the vibrations can loosen stones that are not securely set. If your ring has any loose prongs or if the diamond has inclusions (internal flaws) that might expand, ultrasonic cleaning could pose a risk. Many jewelers use ultrasonic machines professionally, but they know how to inspect for loose stones beforehand. If you use an at-home ultrasonic cleaner, ensure the setting is in good condition and never leave the jewelry unattended in the machine for longer than recommended. When in doubt, it might be safer to rely on manual cleaning or take the piece to a professional.
Store your diamond pieces individually in a soft, secure place. Ideally, keep them in separate compartments of a jewelry box or in their own pouches. Diamonds can scratch other diamonds and other jewelry if they come into contact, so don’t let your diamond accessories pile up together in one box. A fabric-lined jewelry box, a soft travel case, or the original ring box all work well. Also remember to choose a cool, dry spot for storage; excess humidity can tarnish metal settings, and extreme heat can potentially affect certain treatments or loosen settings.
By following these guidelines on caring for your diamonds, you’ll help them retain their fire and brilliance for a lifetime. Diamonds may be forever, but they look their best when given a little TLC. With regular cleaning, mindful wear, and proper storage, your diamond jewelry will continue to dazzle and delight for generations to come.
Browse Ecksand’s diamond engagement rings or explore our diamond jewelry like our diamond earrings and diamond necklaces.
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