How To Clean Diamond Earrings
Here at Alicia J Diamonds, we understand that cleaning your diamond earrings regularly is key to preserving their appearance in the long term. In this blog, we’ll share professional insights and practical tips to help you ensure that your diamonds last for years to come.
Why You Should Care For Your Diamond Jewellery
Caring for your diamond jewellery is more than a routine task; it’s essential to preserving their appearance and value. Diamonds, renowned for their unmatched brilliance and durability, require regular attention.
By investing time in the care of your diamond jewellery, you ensure that each piece looks its best and avoid the expense of frequent professional deep cleans. Not only this, but these treasured pieces can become timeless heirlooms with proper care.
With regular cleaning and mindful attention, each occasion you wear your diamonds remains as enchanting as the first, ensuring that these symbols of elegance and love continue to captivate and inspire for generations to come.
Understanding Diamond Grading and Cleaning Needs
Diamond value is classified by the Four Cs (Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight), influencing not just the value of the diamond but also its cleaning needs.
- Clarity: Diamonds with more inclusions or ‘internal characteristics’ might trap more dirt and oils, potentially requiring more diligent cleaning.
- Cut: The cut of a diamond can impact how dirt and oil accumulate. For example, diamonds with intricate cuts or more facets might attract more debris.
- Setting: The metal and design of the setting can also play a role. Some settings might be more prone to collecting dirt than others, influencing the cleaning technique required.
- Wear Frequency: Diamonds worn daily, like engagement rings, might accumulate dirt faster than those worn on special occasions.
Materials For Cleaning Your Diamond Earrings
Before cleaning your diamond earrings, you will need to make sure you have the following materials available:
- A soft, small brush
- Mild liquid detergent
- Warm water
- A soft, lint-free cloth
- A small bowl
5 Steps To Clean Your Diamond Earrings
When cleaning your diamond earrings, they require gentle care to ensure they’re cleaned correctly. Let’s take a look at each step in more detail:
1. Preparation:
- Why it’s essential: Using the right solution will keep your diamonds and their settings unharmed. The preparation stage will help to ensure the majority of dirt is broken down before you begin in-depth cleaning.
- How to do it: Mix a few drops of mild washing liquid with warm water, ensuring it’s well dissolved. This soap solution effectively breaks down the oils and dirt, removing them from the surface of your earrings. Let them soak before beginning the cleaning process.
2. Soaking:
- Why it’s essential: We’d recommend using a specialised diamond jewellery cleaner, as these are the most effective ways to clean diamond earrings. A standard jewelry cleaning kit would work; however, a specific diamond solution is preferred. If this isn’t available, use a mild soap and water mixture.
- How to do it: Submerge your diamond earrings fully in the diamond cleaner or soap mixture and allow them to soak for 20-30 minutes.
3. Gentle Cleaning
- Why it’s essential: This helps target the grime build-up, especially under the diamond where most hidden dirt accumulates. The soft bristles of the brush are ideal for cleaning without causing harm to the delicate settings and diamonds.
- How to do it: Gently brush the diamonds and their settings with a soft toothbrush. Pay attention to the back of the diamonds, the area behind the stone, and any crevices in intricate designs, as these areas accumulate the most oil and dirt.
4. Rinsing:
- Why it’s essential: Rinsing off the soapy solution ensures no residue remains, as this can dull the appearance of your diamonds.
- How to do it: Hold the earrings under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. Using a plug or placing a sieve in the sink is vital to prevent the earrings from falling into the drain. Continue to rinse until all soap is removed from the earring surface.
5. Drying:
- Why it’s essential: Any leftover moisture can cause water spots on the diamonds or lead to potential damage, especially if the earrings have other gemstones.
- How to do it: Gently pat the earrings with a lint-free or microfiber cloth. Lay them on an absorbent material like a cloth on a flat surface and allow them to air-dry for a few minutes. Ensure they are entirely dry before storing them away.
Yellow And White Gold Diamond Earrings
When it comes to cleaning diamond earrings set in yellow or white gold, a slightly adapted approach is recommended to ensure the integrity of both the precious stones and their elegant gold settings. Yellow and white gold, each with their unique properties and lustre, require specific care to maintain their pristine condition alongside the brilliance of the diamonds they hold.
Yellow Gold:
To clean yellow gold settings. use the same cleaning solution, but ensure you avoid aggressive scrubbing to prevent any scratches.
White Gold:
After cleaning with the soapy solution, it’s best to periodically re-plate white gold (rhodium plated) to maintain its shine and colour.
How Often Should You Clean Diamond Earrings?
While giving your diamond studs frequent cleaning daily is appealing, it’s best to clean them once every two weeks for regular wear. If you wear them less frequently, once a month will be sufficient.
How Not to Clean Diamond Earrings
It’s crucial to be aware of certain practices that should be avoided to preserve the appearance of your diamond earrings. Understanding the ‘don’ts’ is just as important as knowing the ‘dos’. Here are some essential points to consider when it comes to keeping your diamond earrings in pristine condition:
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Bleach, chlorine, and other abrasive solutions can damage the diamond and its setting.
Don’t Use Ultrasonic Cleaners
Without expert guidance, ultrasonic jewelry cleaners can sometimes remove diamonds from their settings. This can damage the long-term structure of your earrings, so it is essential to avoid this cleaning method.
Don’t Use Rough Materials
Stay clear of rough cloths or any other material which could scratch the metal setting.
Avoid Cleaning Over Open Drains
Always clean in a bowl or over a plugged sink to prevent accidental losses.
Storage Tips For Diamond Earrings
Proper storage is critical to maintain these precious diamonds’ condition. To help you preserve your diamond earrings, here are some valuable tips on the best storage practices:
Individual Pouches
Keep your diamond earrings in separate soft cloth pouches; this prevents them from scratching against other pieces and maintains their brilliance.
Fabric-Lined Boxes
A fabric-lined jewellery box provides a cushioned environment, protecting diamonds and precious metals from potential harm.
Away from Direct Sunlight
Store your diamond earrings at home in a cool, dark place, avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can affect some settings over time.
Keep Them Dry
Ensure your diamond earrings are thoroughly dry before storing them to avoid moisture-related issues. This is especially important when you come to clean diamond stud earrings, as they can hold moisture in their crevices.
Alicia J. Diamonds
At Alicia J, we are committed to providing you with the knowledge and variety necessary to choose diamonds that reflect your unique preferences. Whether you’re seeking a special piece for yourself or a thoughtful gift, our mission is to guide you through this process, helping you to make informed decisions.
Our team at Alicia J Diamonds is a blend of expertise and passion, with us earning certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This deep-seated knowledge and understanding of diamonds empower us to assist you in finding the perfect diamond or gemstone. Whether it’s aligning with your aesthetic preferences or fitting within your budget, we aim to ensure that each diamond you choose resonates with your style, adding elegance to your everyday.
For bespoke consultations, general queries, or advice on best cleaning practices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
Contact Us
To experience the Alicia J difference, contact us at:
Phone: +44(0) 333 987 4985
Email: enquiries@aliciajdiamonds.com
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about cleaning diamonds below:
What Is The Safest Way To Clean Diamond Jewelry?
The safest and most effective method to clean your diamond jewellery involves a simple solution of warm water, mild dish soap, or a specialised diamond cleaning solution. Soak your diamond jewellery in this solution for about 20-30 minutes. Then, gently brush the diamonds with a soft-bristled brush, focusing on getting under the settings and in any crevices where dirt might hide. Rinse under warm running water and pat dry on a flat surface with a soft, lint-free cloth.
What Not To Clean Your Diamonds With?
It’s crucial to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your diamonds. You should avoid abrasive materials like rough cloths, as they can scratch the metal settings. We’d also recommend steering clear of ultrasonic cleaners unless recommended by a professional, as they can sometimes loosen settings or harm stones with existing fractures.
What Cleans Diamonds The Best?
A solution of warm water and mild dish soap generally cleans diamonds effectively. Occasionally, using a specialised diamond cleaner can be beneficial for an extra shine, as these cleaners are formulated to safely remove oils and residues without damaging the diamond or the setting. If using jewelry cleaning kits, be sure to check if they’re compatible with your setting and stone.
How Often Do I Need To Clean My Diamonds?
Cleaning your diamond jewellery frequently depends on how often you wear it. For pieces worn daily, like a diamond engagement ring, cleaning them once every two weeks is a good rule of thumb. This regular maintenance helps to remove the everyday buildup of oils and dirt, keeping your diamonds brilliant. However, for items worn less frequently, cleaning them once every month or before any special occasion should suffice to maintain their luster and shine.
Download our size guide to print.