While diamonds are one of the strongest and most durable substances on Earth, they do need some regular maintenance to keep them as bright and beautiful and possible. And to be fair, one of the best feelings is looking at your finger and seeing a clean diamond ring. But it’s not just rings — you’ll need to clean a lab-grown diamond, whether it’s a loose stone or already set in jewelry. With a few basic care tips and knowledge about storage and accident prevention, you’ll be sure to keep your diamond in tip-top shape. Let’s look.
Cleaning at Home
How to clean a lab-grown diamond is very similar to how to clean an Earth-formed diamond, as they both share the same chemical, physical, and optical properties. If you notice any pieces of fuzz or small pieces of hair that are lodged between the prongs, then you can attempt to remove them with a pair of tweezers or with a can of air. As for wiping the diamond, you can first try to use a soft cloth to remove any dust or small amounts of dirt. Need something to tackle stubborn dirt? Your best bet for home cleaning is to regularly use a solution of cleanser and water to wipe your loose stone or your jewelry. You can use a soft cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush, according to the GIA to remove the oil, dirt, or debris. And while some people opt for using jewelry-cleaning solution, a little bit of mild soap should be just fine (bonus: it’s something you probably already have at home).
Storage
One of the keys to keeping a clean diamond ring and other diamond jewelry sparkling is ensuring that you store it properly. Although jewelry comes with a storage box, you may want to take extra precaution by first wrapping it in a soft cloth — especially if it’s a loose stone. An extra cloth is helpful is because it creates a buffer between your diamond and other jewelry in the box; this prevents your diamond from contacting other items that could potentially damage it. You may also want to opt for a jewelry box that has compartments in order to create more separation between your diamond and other pieces of jewelry.
Accident Prevention
One of the best ways to clean a lab-grown diamond is to practice prevention! You should always take off your diamond jewelry when you’re doing strenuous/dirty work, like exercising or gardening. You should also take it off before swimming in chlorinated pools or soaking in a hot tub, as repeated exposure to chlorine could cause oxidation to the metals or color changes. And of course, it may be best to take off your jewelry when you’re swimming in the ocean or a lake so that you don’t accidentally lose it! Always use your best judgment when you could be doing an activity that may damage or expose your diamond to harmful chemicals/scenarios.
With these steps, you should be able to keep your diamond in stunning conditions. Have a more complex cleaning issue you’d like to discuss with us? Contact us here — we’d love to help!
