Quick Tips
I love diamonds. They sparkle, they shine, and they blind people in direct sunlight. But if you don’t clean them, they start looking like a rock you found in your backyard. You ever see a diamond that hasn’t been cleaned in a while? It’s like looking at a cloudy ice cube that nobody wants in their drink. People say diamonds are forever, but dirt on diamonds is also forever—unless you do something about it.
Why Cleaning Diamonds Is Important
Diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth, but they’re also the neediest. They attract grease like a burger wrapper on a windy day. The moment your fingers touch a diamond, it loses half its sparkle and gains half your lunch. Oils, dirt, lotion, mystery goo—it all builds up until your expensive rock starts looking like a dull piece of glass from an old aquarium. Cleaning them isn’t just for looks, it’s to keep them valuable and keep people from thinking you bought your jewelry at a gas station.
If you’ve ever wondered why your diamond ring doesn’t sparkle the way it used to, experts at the Gemological Institute of America explain that a buildup of natural oils and residue can significantly dull its brilliance over time. That means even the most expensive diamond in the world will eventually look like a cloudy marble if you never clean it.
How to Clean Diamonds: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Soak Your Diamond Jewelry in Warm Soapy Water
The best way to start cleaning a diamond is to give it a bath, because even though it’s expensive, it still needs to soak like an old dish. Fill up a small bowl with warm water—not boiling, because this is a diamond, not a bag of ramen. Add a few drops of dish soap, because soap is good at breaking down grease, and diamonds have the uncanny ability to become greasier than a diner menu. Drop your diamond jewelry into the sudsy water and let it sit there for about twenty to thirty minutes, or however long it takes you to forget you were cleaning it. If the water gets cloudy, congratulations—you’ve just released all the grime that was hiding in your expensive accessory.
If your jewelry has other delicate stones like opals or pearls, you might want to check out How to Clean Pearls to make sure you’re not damaging them in the process. Pearls don’t like soap the way diamonds do—they’re more of a sensitive diva.
2. Gently Scrub with a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Soaking alone won’t cut it because diamonds like to hoard dirt in the little crevices. Grab a soft-bristled toothbrush—preferably one that has never been in your mouth—and start scrubbing gently. Work around the edges, underneath the stone, and anywhere that looks like it’s holding onto a year’s worth of lotion and regret. The key is to be gentle, because even though diamonds are tough, their settings are not. You don’t want to pop your rock loose and have it become a very tiny, very expensive floor decoration. Rinse it under lukewarm water while scrubbing, making sure all that soap and grime washes away, because nothing is worse than a diamond that looks clean but smells like dish soap.
According to the American Gem Society, using a soft-bristled toothbrush is one of the best at-home cleaning methods for diamonds. Just make sure you’re not using a brush that’s too abrasive, or you might end up scratching the metal setting instead of cleaning it.
3. Rinse Thoroughly and Pat Dry
At this point, your diamond is probably as clean as a responsible person’s, but there’s one more step. Rinse it under clean, warm water, but make sure you plug the sink first—because diamonds love to go down drains, and plumbers do not love retrieving them. Let the water run over it for a few seconds to make sure all the soap is gone, then pat it dry with a lint-free cloth. Don’t use a paper towel unless you want tiny paper specks all over your newly cleaned diamond, making it look like it was attacked by a roll of toilet paper.
If your jewelry has stubborn smudges even after cleaning, you might want to try a professional-grade cleaner. Jewelers of America recommends steam cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning for deep-set grime.
4. Use an Ammonia Solution for Extra Shine (Only for Certain Diamonds!)
If you want your diamond to look like it just stepped out of a jewelry commercial, you can use an ammonia solution. But not all diamonds like ammonia—just the ones set in solid gold or platinum. Mix one part ammonia with six parts warm water, stir it like you’re making the worst cocktail ever, and drop your diamond in for no more than ten minutes. After that, brush it lightly with a toothbrush again and rinse it off. If your diamond is in a delicate setting or surrounded by other stones like pearls or opals, do not use ammonia unless you want to turn your fancy ring into a sad science experiment.
If you have gold settings, you might also be interested in How to Clean Gold Jewelry to keep the entire piece looking its best, not just the diamond.
5. Polish with a Jewelry Cloth for a Brilliant Finish
After all that effort, your diamond is now clean, but you’re not done yet. It’s time to buff that rock until it shines so much that people start squinting when you wave your hand. Take a jewelry polishing cloth and gently rub the surface. This step removes any leftover smudges or fingerprints from your cleaning marathon. If you over-polish, you won’t hurt the diamond, but you might wear down the setting, and suddenly your ring is just a loose diamond in a bag, which is a very risky way to store expensive things.
6. Store Diamonds Properly to Keep Them Clean
Now that your diamond is spotless, you’ll want to keep it that way for as long as possible. Store it in a soft-lined jewelry box or a tiny pouch that makes it feel like royalty. Never throw it in a pile with other jewelry, because diamonds will scratch everything in sight, including other diamonds. If you wear it every day, be mindful of where it’s going—avoid getting lotion, perfume, or hair products on it, unless you like the idea of giving your diamond a second career as a grease trap.
How Professionals Clean Diamonds
If you want your diamond to shine like it belongs in a Tiffany’s display case, professional jewelers use advanced techniques:
- Ultrasonic Cleaning: High-frequency sound waves shake dirt loose from even the tiniest crevices.
- Steam Cleaning: A high-pressure steam blast removes built-up residue and restores shine.
- Professional Polishing: Jewelers use specialized compounds to buff out surface scratches and give diamonds a flawless finish.
Most jewelers offer complimentary cleaning services, so if your diamond needs a deep refresh, it’s worth stopping by for a professional touch.
Final Thoughts
A diamond might last forever, but grime and fingerprints don’t have to. Keeping your jewelry clean is easy and requires nothing more than soap, a toothbrush, and a little patience. Follow these steps, avoid the ammonia if necessary, and store your diamonds properly so they stay brilliant and eye-catching—because the only thing that should be dull is the movie you’re ignoring while admiring your freshly cleaned ring.