How often do you clean your diamonds?

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

This will be interesting.
And I am asking the converted hahaha

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Admittedly the worst PS'er for cleaning. When I remember which isn't often. Is there an embarrassment emoji?

cheers--Sharon

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I selected everyday because I clean them as I wear them. Brush my teeth, brush my ring, not with the same brush though

 

[MissGotRocks]

I clean all of mine every day if I wear them. I don’t discriminate - rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets all get cleaned. I hate dirty diamonds - lol!

 

[Niel]

rings typically I usually go 2-4 wears before cleaning. Studs maybe 5-10?
I’d do the studs more just annoys me to clean them then get my fingers all over putting them back in lol

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I feel like my gold jewellery requires more cleaning than my diamonds and colored stones. So more attention there; that said if I clean my gold I'll take my brush out for rings that I have on. I clean them on my fingers--LOL-- how pathetic is that? Can't be bothered to get the US out--then again my CS don't go in there. Also I read somewhere that super/ideal cut diamonds need less cleaning?

cheers--Sharon

 

[MissGotRocks]

rings typically I usually go 2-4 wears before cleaning. Studs maybe 5-10?
I’d do the studs more just annoys me to clean them then get my fingers all over putting them back in lol

Yeah, I hear that! Always trying to remind myself to put earrings in before lotion on hands!

 

[MissGotRocks]

HI:

I feel like my gold jewellery requires more cleaning than my diamonds and colored stones. So more attention there; that said if I clean my gold I'll take my brush out for rings that I have on. I clean them on my fingers--LOL-- how pathetic is that? Can't be bothered to get the US out--then again my CS don't go in there. Also I read somewhere that super/ideal cut diamonds need less cleaning?

cheers--Sharon

The super ideals do seem to hold their scintillation even when dirty. My OCD just kicks in and makes me clean my diamonds! I clean everything though - my mother used to say I ruined a lot of things by trying to keep them clean - and it is true!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

not telling

 

[canuk-gal]

The super ideals do seem to hold their scintillation even when dirty. My OCD just kicks in and makes me clean my diamonds! I clean everything though - my mother used to say I ruined a lot of things by trying to keep them clean - and it is true!

You are a good jewellery mama!

 

[nala]

I have gotten really lazy. If I have a special outing, ultrasonic comes out—usually at least once a month.
If not, I do the basic solution and scrub twice a week.

 

[Niel]

Yeah, I hear that! Always trying to remind myself to put earrings in before lotion on hands!

Oh I’m extra about it sometimes I put like my hands in my sleeves for makeshift gloves on T. rex hands to put them in lol

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I definitely don’t clean enough! Every few weeks I’ll notice my ring is getting grubby and it’ll get a clean. Earrings I do once they’ve started looking grey! But I take them off to shower and gym (except for the upper piercings, which I wear 24x7, so those ones are grimier than I’d like). Pendants and bracelets get worn less frequently so they also get cleaned infrequently.

I don’t own an ultrasonic since so many of my pieces have pave, so my method is windex+hot water+ scrubbing.

Actually, I just checked in a mirror and my studs are in need of a good deep clean!

 

[Lookinagain]

I answered once a week but really, it's whenever I change out my jewelry, which is usually more often than once a week. Whatever I take off goes into Dawn and hot water to soak. Then I scrub it and put it away until I wear it again. I generally change my earrings and necklaces at the same time as my rings, but sometimes not, so they might not be cleaned as often, but almost always at least once a week.

 

[Tonks]

Daily since Viv came to live here!

I probably ultrasonic twice a week, and daily I clean with my new favorite thing—the Lavish pen. Takes very little time and has a built in brush to get underneath. I now have one upstairs, one downstairs, and one in my purse.


https://www.lavishjewelrycleaner.com/products/lavish-click-clean-pen

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

To answer the question, once a week.

This morning I cleaned a ring then spilled pop on it. Telling you all because no one offline would understand the extent of the tragedy.

 

[josieKat]

I never take mine off (ring, pendant, studs) and clean them every day as the last thing I do before I get out of the shower, using a toothbrush and Dawn. I put them in the magnasonic once a month or so.

 

[Lookinagain]

Daily since Viv came to live here!

I probably ultrasonic twice a week, and daily I clean with my new favorite thing—the Lavish pen. Takes very little time and has a built in brush to get underneath. I now have one upstairs, one downstairs, and one in my purse.


https://www.lavishjewelrycleaner.com/products/lavish-click-clean-pen

I use something similar called the Razzle Dazzle stik. Or something like that.

Edit to say I checked and it's the Diamond Dazzle stik.

Amazon.com

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I use something similar called the Razzle Dazzle stik. Or something like that.

Edit to say I checked and it's the Diamond Dazzle stik.

Amazon.com

It only cleans the top of the diamond - the pavilion of bottom is what needs cleaning to make a diamond sparkle.

 

[Slickk]

I never take mine off (ring, pendant, studs) and clean them every day as the last thing I do before I get out of the shower, using a toothbrush and Dawn. I put them in the magnasonic once a month or so.

This is what I do. Daily (baby toothbrush/dawn) right before I leave the house, after all of the products are on.

 

[Lookinagain]

It only cleans the top of the diamond - the pavilion of bottom is what needs cleaning to make a diamond sparkle.

I don't think that is all it can clean. the little brush gets into all of the openings including the bottom. I clean all the openings in the setting. Top, bottom, sides. I don't understand why you think you can't use the brush to get everywhere?

 

[josieKat]

I don't think that is all it can clean. the little brush gets into all of the openings including the bottom. I clean all the openings in the setting. Top, bottom, sides. I don't understand why you think you can't use the brush to get everywhere?

Yes, I was always able to easily get the pavilion with that brush as well. These days I tend to use one of those teeny interdental brushes (like the teeniest bottle brush shape ever) to get the pavilion.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I don't think that is all it can clean. the little brush gets into all of the openings including the bottom. I clean all the openings in the setting. Top, bottom, sides. I don't understand why you think you can't use the brush to get everywhere?

OK - gotcha! Sorry.
When i get 10 moments I will share the best cleaning info.

 

[Tonks]

I don't think that is all it can clean. the little brush gets into all of the openings including the bottom. I clean all the openings in the setting. Top, bottom, sides. I don't understand why you think you can't use the brush to get everywhere?

Same–I use mine to scrub all over the sides and bottom of the stone as well as the top.

Then when I use my ultrasonic, it’s with very hot water and dish soap, and I clean with a soft toothbrush when the cycle finishes.

 

[breanne]

I wash my hands as soon as I get home with dish soap, lather my ring/diamond, rinse, then whip my hand back and forth to get the water off haha. I then put it in its box until I leave the house again. I swear, I have been doing it for 7+ years and my ring is always spotless.

 

[winetime12]

I keep a toothbrush in the kitchen and it's part of my daily routine after I'm done the dishes to clean my engagement ring with dish soap. I'll also do my earrings every couple weeks. Once a week I'll use the ultrasonic.

 

[SapphireBomb]

Everyday!
But I work in a jewelry store three days out of the week so whatever I’m wearing that day gets the full-monty before I pack up to go home (ultrasonic and professional steamer).
I’m meticulous about clean diamonds and also because I clean a lot of pieces for customers so their dirt gets on MY rings throughout the course of a day!
I hate dirty diamonds and the ones I see daily in the store from customers who come in “for a quick cleaning” would make your toes curl up!!!
I remain totally mystified how people tolerate the grubby rings I see all the time?!!!
I’m positive everyone here on PS is the top 1% of clean diamond wearers.
I’m threatening my husband that I’m going to rip out the washer/dryer in the laundry room and install a professional jewelry steamer if I ever retire!!!!
PS-Ladies please have your local jeweler clean your jewelry everytime you visit…I personally like to do it and find it gratifying to see the customers faces light up when I present them with the cleaned pieces….they are always amazed.

 

[geckodani]

Oh I’m extra about it sometimes I put like my hands in my sleeves for makeshift gloves on T. rex hands to put them in lol

1. This made me laugh.
2. I've been known to do the same.
3. If I'm really really ridiculous, a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol does wonders once they are in the get rid of fingerprints!

ETA: to answer the original question, ultrasonic comes out once a month or two, I'm constantly wiping the table of my rings throughout the day, and the diamond dazzle stick comes out once a week or so for the rings as well. I have a new ring, so it's being cleaned a bit more obsessively right now.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The simplest approach to cleaning diamonds (from my forthcoming book):

1. Add a dash of ammonia and dish washing detergent to a third of a cup of boiling or very hot water. Adding the ammonia and detergent will drop the temperature enough to not cause damage to any natural untreated diamonds. First put a plug in the sink as sometimes a claw has worn or broken off and dirt is the only thing holding a diamond in its setting. Large diamonds can suffer heat shock and can break, so slowly lower the back of the band in over several seconds so the diamond warms up. Very long diamonds and long crystal gems like tourmaline can snap in half when heat expands one end faster than the other end.
   
   
2. Scrub with a stiff toothbrush (keep one with your ammonia). Ignore internet advice to use a soft brush, the stiff bristles soften when hot and plastic can never scratch or damage metals or gems! Scrub underneath the setting and behind gems as well as through the sides of the settings; the dirt and grease on pavilions is the main culprit in reducing the brilliance and sparkle.
   
   
3. Add rubies and sapphires next when the temperature has dropped and the cleaning solution has cooled enough for you to just leave your finger in. It’s best to remove any diamonds beforehand to reduce the chance of softer gems being scratched.
   

1. Clean chains and tennis bracelets regularly as the dirt is the abrasive that causes the wear with lots of tiny links rubbing on each other.
   
   
2. Add other gems later when the temperature decreases, making sure you can leave your finger in the warm solution.
   
   
3. Emeralds are very often dipped in oils or waxes to fill cracks and improve both appearance and durability (practiced since Roman times). So no swimming and no very hot solvent solutions. It’s best to use the toothbrush dipped in the lukewarm cleaning solution, scrub and warm water rinse.
   
   
4. Pearls and opals should not be subjected to heat. Both love water but do not get the string in a strand of pearls wet. Rub gently with a warm damp cloth.
   
   
5. Peridot and glass-filled gems (like cheap tourist rubies) should not be left in the solution for an extended time as they will react chemically.

Never use toothpaste! It will leave a white film on the pavilions of your diamonds and has no cleaning benefit at all other than being an abrasive that can polish the band slightly.

Gin and other alcoholic spirits will dissolve grease and oils but not as well as a hot ammonia and detergent solution.

Paint sticks to diamonds really well and you may need a paint solvent after DIY renovations.

Never put the cleaning solution in a saucepan and heat on the stove. I have seen far too many destroyed jewels because your best friend called you for a chat. Bring the boiling water to the cup!

If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, use the same process but with just a bearably finger hot solution. The transducer that makes the buzzing sound is glued on and excessive heat will unstick it and make your cleaner lose its effectiveness.

A steam cleaner is great for a final rinse and also for removing grime between tight spaces of a setting and the gems. This is often a problem with tapered Tiffany style settings where the prongs are in direct contact with the diamond pavilion. After the previous process a blast of steam behind the gems does wonders. Some espresso coffee maker milk steamers will even do the trick.
These cheap virbrating cleaners also work suprisingly well:


Professional cleaning

We recommend taking your diamond rings for a professional clean every few months. A thorough clean and general inspection of settings ensure that the prongs are kept tight and also catch any worn-out and risky settings. Polishing and re-rhodium plating should not be done too often as eventually your jewel will be polished away!

At my Holloway Diamonds workshops, we use professional ultrasonic cleaning machines with a hot proprietary ammonia and detergent solution. They clean with high-frequency sound waves and a stiff toothbrush that shakes and vibrates and a stiff toothbrush can help clear away detritus.



Finally my personal tip. Rather than sit in the car honking the horn while she is adding makeup or whatever takes that long before heading out to dinner with friends, go and clean her jewels.

 

[Wink]

Hmmm,

I put my rings in the safe when Resa passed. I haven’t taken the out yet, so, not very often…