How to Care for Your Diamond Jewellery: Maintenance Tips for Lifelong Sparkle
Diamonds may be the hardest natural substance on Earth, but your diamond jewellery still needs careful handling and regular maintenance to stay brilliant and beautiful. Whether it’s a treasured engagement ring, heirloom necklace, or your everyday diamond studs, each piece deserves consistent care.
Why Diamond Jewellery Needs Maintenance
Diamonds are durable—but not indestructible. Over time, oils, lotions, sweat, dirt, and environmental particles dull the stone’s brilliance and weaken the setting. Without proper care, you risk scratches, chips, loose prongs, or even lost diamonds.
Maintaining your jewellery isn’t just about sparkle—it’s about preserving emotional and financial value. With the right practices, your diamonds can retain their fire for generations.
1. Cleaning Your Diamond Jewellery at Home
🧼 Basic Weekly Cleaning (Gentle but Effective)
What You Need:
- A bowl of warm water
- Mild dish soap (non-moisturizing)
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
Steps:
- Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
- Soak your diamond jewellery for 15–20 minutes.
- Use the toothbrush to gently scrub the diamond and setting, especially underneath the stone.
- Rinse under lukewarm water.
- Pat dry with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
Tip: Do this once a week if you wear the piece daily (especially rings).
⚠️ What to Avoid:
- Harsh chemicals like bleach, acetone, or ammonia
- Toothpaste or baking soda, which can scratch metal
- Ultrasonic cleaners for fragile or antique pieces
2. Deep Cleaning and Steam Methods
For a more intensive clean every 1–2 months:
Steam Cleaning (Home Kits or Jewelers)
Steam helps remove tough grime without touching the stone directly.
- At home: Use a jewelry-specific steamer (follow manufacturer guidelines).
- At a jeweler: Professional steam cleaning is safer and more effective.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
- Best for: Modern, robust diamond pieces
- Avoid for: Soft gemstones (opals, pearls), vintage or fragile prongs
Ultrasonic devices use sound waves and vibrations to shake loose dirt. These can be very effective—but use with caution, especially for older or intricate jewellery.
3. Daily Habits That Keep Diamonds Safe
How you wear your jewellery every day plays a major role in how long it lasts.
✅ Do:
- Put on your jewellery last, after applying lotions, perfume, or makeup.
- Take off rings before washing hands, cleaning, or doing dishes.
- Remove pieces before going to the gym, swimming, or gardening.
- Inspect your jewellery weekly for any signs of wear or loosening.
❌ Don’t:
- Sleep with your diamond rings or earrings on
- Wear diamond jewellery to the beach (sand is abrasive)
- Leave diamonds in direct sunlight for long periods (can affect some metals or side stones)
4. Proper Storage to Prevent Damage
Incorrect storage is one of the most common causes of scratches and lost stones.
Best Practices:
- Store each diamond piece separately in a soft-lined box or pouch to avoid contact scratches.
- Use individual compartments in a jewellery box.
- For travel, use roll-up organisers with padded pockets.
Diamond-on-Diamond Damage:
Diamonds can scratch each other. Even harder stones like sapphires or rubies aren’t safe from a careless toss into the same box.
Humidity Control:
Keep your jewellery in a cool, dry place, away from bathrooms or kitchen sinks. Moisture can tarnish metals and weaken settings.
5. Professional Maintenance: Why It’s Essential
Even with perfect at-home care, you should still visit a professional jeweler at least once or twice a year.
What to Ask For:
- Prong inspection: Ensures stones are secure
- Setting tightening: Prevents loosening over time
- Polishing: Restores the shine of metals and removes fine scratches
- Deep cleaning: Uses safe ultrasonic and steam machines
Tips: Some jewellers offer lifetime cleaning and inspection if you purchased your jewellery from them. Take advantage!
6. How to Care for Different Types of Diamond Jewellery
Different pieces need slightly different care routines:
💍 Rings
- Clean most often due to hand exposure
- Check prongs monthly
- Remove before using hand creams or harsh soaps
📿 Necklaces
- Clean less frequently unless worn daily
- Be cautious of chain tangles and gemstone friction
💎 Earrings
- Wipe back posts with alcohol regularly (sanitary care)
- Store in upright holders or small pouches
🛍 Bracelets
- Avoid stacking with sharp or hard metal cuffs
- Use soft cloth wraps when storing to prevent rubbing
7. Protecting the Metal: Gold, Platinum, or White Gold
Diamond jewellery isn’t just about the stone—the metal matters too.
| Metal | Special Care Required |
|---|---|
| Gold (14K/18K) | Soft metal, prone to scratching. Avoid abrasives. |
| Platinum | Durable but can develop a matte patina (polish regularly). |
| White Gold | Rhodium plating wears off—needs re-plating every 1–2 years. |
| Rose Gold | Copper-based alloy—keep dry to avoid discoloration. |
8. Weather and Environmental Impact
Environmental exposure can degrade both diamond brilliance and metal structure.
Heat & UV:
- Avoid leaving diamonds in hot cars or direct sunlight for long periods.
- Certain treatments (e.g., fracture filling) can be compromised by heat.
Saltwater & Chlorine:
- Salt can pit metal and loosen stones.
- Chlorine (in pools or hot tubs) weakens gold and platinum.
Always remove your jewellery before swimming or spa treatments.
9. Insurance & Appraisals: Protect Your Investment
Even with the best care, loss or theft is still a risk. Insure your jewellery to ensure peace of mind.
📋 Get Appraised:
- Appraise your diamond jewellery every 3–5 years, as values can increase.
- Make sure your appraisal includes photos, weights, and certification numbers.
🛡 How to Insure:
- Through homeowners or renters insurance (add a jewelry rider)
- Through specialized jewellery insurance companies (e.g., Jewelers Mutual)
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
| Wearing diamonds to the gym | Sweat and impact damage settings |
| Using toothpaste to clean | Abrasive—scratches metal and dulls finish |
| Storing multiple pieces together | Causes scratches and metal wear |
| Skipping professional inspections | Loose stones or settings may go unnoticed |
| Wearing all day, every day | Accelerates wear and exposure to chemicals |
DIY Natural Diamond Cleaner Recipe
For those who love natural products:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp mild liquid soap (non-moisturizing)
- 1 tsp white vinegar
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Soak jewellery for 15–20 minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft brush.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Note: Avoid this mixture on pearl-accented or antique jewellery.
Caring for Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds have the same hardness and composition as natural diamonds, so the care routine is identical.
However, because they are often paired with modern minimalist settings, these can be more delicate—especially in bezel-free designs. Be gentle when cleaning and always inspect the setting.
Quick Care Checklist
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Basic at-home cleaning | Weekly |
| Deep cleaning (steam/ultrasound) | Monthly |
| Professional inspection | Every 6 months |
| Re-polishing or re-plating | Every 1–2 years |
| Appraisal & insurance check | Every 3–5 years |
Diamond Care is Love in Action
Diamonds may be “forever,” but their brilliance depends on how well you treat them. Regular cleaning, safe storage, and mindful wearing habits not only keep your jewellery looking exquisite—they also preserve its value, structure, and story.
Think of diamond maintenance as part of the ritual—whether you're preserving an engagement ring or preparing to pass on a beloved heirloom. A few minutes a week can help your diamonds last a lifetime and beyond.
Need help cleaning or restoring your diamond jewellery?
Browse our diamond care kits, or book a professional inspection with one of our certified jewellers today.
