If you’re like most people, you probably want your diamonds to look their best at all times.
But how can you be sure that they’re getting the best possible care?
There are many different diamond ring cleaners on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Many people think that any old cleaner will do, but this is not the case!
In fact, using the wrong cleaner can actually damage your diamond ring.
The whole point of buying a diamond ring is because it’s known for its brilliance and sparkle.
But what comes with that diamond is the mounting that it is set in which is most often made from gold or platinum. You can clean a diamond with just about anything to take off the oil and grime, and if you rinse it properly, it will shine like new.
Not so with the rest of the ring!
It is the metal that is of the greatest concern, rather than the diamond.
A diamond is so hard that it cannot be scratched or dulled…but the metal certainly can!
In this blog post, we will discuss three of the best cleaners for diamond rings and explain why each one is worth considering.
We’ll also provide some tips on how to use these cleaners properly so that your gold or platinum does not become dull.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that people inadvertently ruin their rings over time:
Table of Contents
What To Avoid When Cleaning Diamonds
I was so excited when I got my diamond ring. It was beautiful, and I loved wearing it.
I took it off to do the dishes one day, and I accidentally dropped it in the sink. I was using an ammonia based cleaner on the dishes because I had read that it was good for removing grease.
I rinsed the ring off and put it back on, but it never looked the same.
The diamond was dull, and the gold band was discolored. It turns out that I had ruined my ring by dropping it in the wrong chemicals.
Ammonia is a great grease cutter, but it’s also very harsh. It can damage metals and dull diamonds. After using some professional level cleaning techniques, the ring came out looking like new – but not without some effort.
So just like any other warning label, we should begin with what chemicals to avoid when using cleaners for diamonds.
Avoid Chlorine
This is a caustic agent that will actually ruin and discolor the gold or platinum that your diamond is set in, even if you are just swimming in a pool rather than cleaning with it.
The small metal prongs that hold the diamond in place can become weakened by using chlorine on a regular basis.
If you have some cleaning to do, it is best to just remove your ring first, or at least put on some rubber gloves to protect it.
Avoid Ammonia
Again, the metal that is holding your diamond(s) in place will get eaten up over time when using this substance.
Some people swear that cleaning their diamonds with ammonia such as a window cleaner makes them look sparkling, and while that is true for the diamond, it is caustic for the metal.
Use gloves whenever you are using the ammonia to protect the diamond mounting.
Avoid Baking Soda, Toothpaste and Abrasives
While these may take off the oils and grime from wearing your diamond ring or necklace, and while they do not scratch the diamonds, they will scratch the metal mounting that the diamonds are set in.
Why would you want to use a sanding agent on beautiful shiny metal?
This will result in having to take a trip to your local jewelry store to have it polished out to restore the shine.
The more you have the ring re-polished to remove scratching and dullness, the more you lose the gold content as the polishing wheel will wear some of it off.
3 Best Cleaners For Diamonds
While the above list may be okay for cleaning loose diamonds, it is best to use a different method when cleaning diamond jewelry.
Now that we have reviewed what not to use, let’s explore some best practices when it comes to cleaning your diamond jewelry.
Ultrasonic Cleaner
This little unit (Amazon) uses water, heat and vibration to remove the oils, lotions, dirt, and buildup of skin that collects in and under your diamond setting.
You can buy a small unit and set it up on a dresser or somewhere convenient, even on a bathroom countertop.
Check out our post on the best ultrasonic cleaners for jewelry here.
The unit has a setting for water temperature which will help to melt off oils and loosen grime.
It has a timer for the vibration part that allows you to use it for a minute to 15 minutes.
You can repeat this process until you can see that all the muck is gone and your ring is shiny.
The vibration and water cannot harm the metal nor the diamonds, and is one of the best ways we like to use to make your jewelry sparkle again. However, if you have other gemstones such as pearls or emeralds, then you’ll want to avoid using an ultrasonic cleaner.
Mr. Clean
Yes, we said not to use products that have ammonia in them.
Well, Mr. Clean (Amazon) has no chlorine or ammonia and yet does a fantastic job of making oils, grime and buildup slide right off of the metal, as well as diamonds.
Just use 1 part Mr. Clean to 5 parts of hot water and soak your diamond jewelry in it.
For more stubborn buildup such as hardened food, you will have to soak overnight and then follow up with a ultra soft toothbrush to loosen and remove the material.
Mr. Clean can be added to an ultrasonic cleaner to the water by also using 1 part cleaner to 5 parts of water and then heating it up to 120 degrees before turning on the vibration.
Using the ultrasonic once a week for a few minutes will keep your diamond jewelry looking like new because you will avoid scratching it with abrasives.
Cleaners Formulated for Jewelry
Almost all jewelry stores will carry jewelry cleaners (Amazon), as will some large department stores such as Walmart.
These are specifically formulated without any chemicals that can harm metals.
Diamonds cannot be ruined by chemicals, but because the metals can, there have been quite a few cleaners that are available.
You do not even need to go out to buy any of these products as you can order online and also see plenty of reviews.
Buy a soft baby toothbrush (Amazon) to assist with any of the cleaning methods that we recommended and you will avoid having to go to the jewelry store to have scratches removed from the metal.
FAQ’s About Cleaning Diamonds
How can I make my diamond ring shine?
You can make your diamond shine like new by using an ultrasonic cleaner, Mr. Clean, or a soft toothbrush with some formulated jewelry cleaner.
Keep in mind that after you get the buildup of dirt, oil and grime off of your ring, you need to rinse it well so that there is no film left.
Dry with a soft cloth.
Can I use Windex to clean my diamond ring?
We do not recommend using Windex on your diamond ring unless you are in the market for a new diamond, prongs or mounting.
Windex is an ammonia based cleaner that is good for windows and will not harm diamonds.
However, it will harm the prongs that your diamonds are set in, as well as the entire metal ring.
What is the best homemade jewelry cleaner?
The best homemade jewelry cleaner is Mr. Clean and water.
Just mix 1 part Mr. Clean to 5 parts very hot water and soak your ring for a minute to a day, depending on how long you have neglected it.
Use a very soft baby toothbrush to clean underneath the gallery and between prongs.
Rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth.
What do jewelers use to polish diamonds?
Jewelers use a product called “Tripoli” and “Rouge” for gold.
They also have a product for platinum.
While these products will get out the nicks and scratches in your metal, keep in mind that the gold will have a small amount of metal removed each time your jewelry is polished due to the abrasiveness in Tripoli.
Diamonds do not need to be polished as if they can be scratched.
But if a goldsmith burns your diamond by using too much concentrated heat, then it will have to be sent away to have the burned film removed, likely by cutting it away.
What is the blue liquid used to clean jewelry?
The blue liquid is called “ultrasonic cleaning solution” and it’s used to clean jewelry with an ultrasonic machine.
The solution helps to loosen dirt and grime from the jewelry so that the ultrasonic machine can remove it more easily.
You can find this solution at most jewelry stores or online. However, we have found that this is not only more expensive, but works just as well as Mr. Clean.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that diamonds are not metal and are not subject to scratching like metal is.
Diamonds can be chipped or cracked by slamming them on a hard object, but they do not need polishing or anything but a regular cleaning to keep oily film off of them.
If you own a diamond that has been fracture-filled, then you should never risk putting it in a super hot ultrasonic cleaner because it can crack with the vibrations.
Diamonds that have been treated by filling to remove the ugly inclusions inside of them have had lead glass added to enhance their appearance.
This will weaken the diamond because lead and glass are not as hard as diamond.
Find out if you have a diamond that has been “clarity enhanced” before dunking it into anything.