How to Clean Diamonds and Gemstones

The most important way to take care of fine jewelry that is worn often is to have the piece checked for wear and tear periodically. A good jeweler can inspect and tighten or adjust settings to extend their durability for years. A once yearly or more often cleaning and inspection is of great value, especially for rings which are usually worn the hardest.

Here are some tips for cleaning jewelry at home, as well as a video on How to Clean a Diamond Ring

Diamond Rings

  • Soak your diamond ring in a warm solution of mild liquid detergent and a splash of ammonia and water.
  • Use a soft brush if necessary to remove dirt.
  • Swish the ring around in the solution, then rinse well with warm water.
  • Dry ring with a lint-free cloth (or blow-dryer if you're in a hurry).

Pearls

(Pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after applying makeup and perfume.)

  • Wipe pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off.
  • Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap (Ivory Flakes) and water solution.
  • Note: Pearls should be re-strung every 3-5 years depending on how often you wear them.

Colored Gemstones

  • Soak gemstones in water with a touch of gentle soap. If necessary, use a soft toothbrush to scrub behind the stone.
  • Rubies, sapphires and other single-crystal gems can be cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and to add extra sparkle.
  • Opaque gemstones like opals, lapis lazuli, turquoise and malachite require special care. These gem materials should just be wiped clean gently with a moist cloth.

How to Clean Your Jewelry

Visit Our Showroom

Come to our studio in Evanston, Illinois to explore our showroom, meet the team, and learn about our custom jewelry design process.