How to Clean Diamond

January 4, 2024

Master the Art of Diamond Cleaning

Even the toughest and brightest gem in the world needs to be taken care of. Diamonds may be eternal mementos of love and beauty, but this does not mean that they are resistant to damage and dulling. To keep their glow spotless and everlasting, one must master the art of diamond cleaning.

Importance of Diamond Cleaning

Diamond jewels like engagement rings, diamond studs, and dainty pendants can be effortlessly worn on an everyday basis. But the sad truth is that your own skin oil and external elements can gradually dull the shine of the diamond.

Like, anything precious, your favourite car, or your house, your diamonds also require care and cleansing. Luckily, it is absolutely easy to clean diamonds at home. All you need is a few minutes to spare to keep your treasured jewel.

How Frequently Should You Clean Your Diamond?

One of the most common questions that pop up in the minds of diamond owners is how often they should clean them. Ideally, if you're wearing the piece daily, clean it at least once a week. Just add diamond cleaning to your weekend routine!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Diamonds

Diamonds are the toughest stones, but they are also the rarest and quite a significant investment. So, handling a diamond takes caution and precision. But before getting into how you can clean your diamond, let's etch out some clear 'don'ts' of diamond cleaning.

1. DON’T USE HARSH CHEMICAL

One might hastily make use of a harsh chemical thinking it will easily wash away all the dirt and grease. Well, that's a big no-no. Especially if the chemicals are one of the lethal trinity- bleach, chlorine, or acetone. Your diamond might get away unharmed, but the metals it is set will bear the brunt. These chemicals can severely erode certain metals.

2. DON’T DO IT NEAR THE SINK OR DRAIN

You don't want to live in a world where your diamond slips the grip of your hands and slides down the drain of your sink. To avoid this nightmare, simply don't wash your diamond jewels in or near the sink or the basin. It doesn't matter how sturdy and sure-handed you think you are. Instead, what you can do is, take a big bowl with water and clean your jewels in there. That is simple, convenient, and most importantly safe.

3. DON’T MANHANDLE YOUR DIAMONDS

As impossible as it might sound, avoid touching your diamond with your bare hands. Yes- you read it right. Your fingertips secrete oils that get deposited on the diamonds, bit by bit. It accumulates on the diamond, eventually dampening its glow. But is it possible to never actually touch the diamond? Not entirely. But you can take precautions like gripping the metal setting rather than the diamond itself, or if you unavoidably have to, touch the edges of the diamond. Things can get worse if you're handling the jewels aggressively and callously. So be gentle, treat, and touch your diamonds, not as if they're the strongest rock on earth, but as if they were fragile pieces of glass.

The Correct Method for Diamond Cleaning

There are a lot of methods of diamond cleaning. We'll list down the most effective and safe ones, and you can decide which one's most suitable.

1. Use a degreaser solution

This is one of the best and simplest ways of diamond cleaning. All you need is a mild degreasing solution such as warm water and a gentle dishwashing soap. Let the diamond soak in there for a good 20-30 minutes. The more grimy it is, the longer the period you let it bathe. After that, remove it from the solution and wipe it gently with a clean dishcloth. If the dirt remains stuck in the crooks and grooves of the jewel, lightly run a soft-bristled toothbrush through it. Rinse it in the tub again, and pat it dry. Never miss the drying step because simply air drying a diamond can cause air stains to appear on it.

2. Use a specialised cleaning solution

Walk that extra step in jewel-care, and pick a cleaner specially designed for jewellery, instead of over-the-counter household cleaners. These cleaners were not formulated to clean high-end jewels, so they might be slightly risky. Make sure to examine the label of the product, to know if it's suitable for your jewellery. For instance, there are different cleaners for gold, silver, and diamonds. Choosing the wrong cleanser could be damaging to your diamond jewellery.

3. Go for steam cleaning

If you're willing to spend a bit more on the caretaking of your diamonds, investing in a steam cleaner can be a good idea. It's a small machine that makes use of pressurised steam to clean stubborn dirt. The best part is- harmful chemicals are completely out of the picture. There's another bonus- all bacteria are killed in the process too. Just keep a few things in mind- match the cleaning mode and cleaning solution with the condition of the jewellery.

Maintenance Tips for Keeping Diamonds Clean and Safe

Keeping your diamonds dazzling could be easy as a breeze with these maintenance tips. Consider them as a rule of thumb for diamond care.

1. Gentle Rinses: Your diamonds deserve a spa day; at least once a week. Give them a quick rinse in soapy water.

2. Soft Brush: If the dirt doesn’t wear off, grab a soft toothbrush and gently scrub it away. Your diamonds will thank you for it.

3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Diamonds are tough, but some chemicals can be harmful. So avoid those harsh chemical cleansers.

FAQ's

How can I clean my diamond at home?

Take a large tub of water, and add a few drops of gentle cleanser to it. Let your diamond soak in it for 20-30 mins. Retrieve it and pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. If dirt is stuck in the grooves of your jewel, you can use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean it. Make sure to rinse again and pat it dry.

How do I make my diamond sparkle?

Careful handling and weekly cleaning of your diamond jewels is the best way to keep their sparkle alive. Just let it bathe in a tub of water and a few drops of liquid soap. Let it swim there for 20-30 mins. After that, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and gently run it through the crevices of the jewellery. Pat it dry with a lint-free cloth and watch your diamond regain its sparkle.

How do you clear a cloudy diamond?

If you’re wondering why your diamond appears cloudy, it is because of the finger oil that has collected over it after regular use. In this case, simple cleaning will be just enough. But, it doesn’t help, it could be due to some defects in the stone itself.

Is toothpaste good for cleaning diamonds?

It is a common misbelief that toothpaste can clean jewellery. In actuality, it is quite unsafe for diamonds. It has an abrasive grit that can easily damage the gem and its metal settings.