Lab grown diamonds are every bit as dazzling as their mined counterparts — but like any fine jewelry, even the brightest diamond can lose its sparkle if dirt, oil, or lotion builds up over time. The good news? Keeping your lab grown diamond jewelry shining brilliantly is simple and doesn’t require any special or complicated tools.
Whether it’s an engagement ring you wear every day or a favorite pair of lab diamond studs, this guide will walk you through how to clean lab grown diamonds at home, when to get them professionally cleaned, and how to keep them looking flawless for years to come.
Ready to bring back that just-bought sparkle? Let’s get started!
Do Lab Grown Diamonds Require Special Cleaning?
No special treatment is necessary here! Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds, so you can clean them using the exact same techniques. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush can easily eliminate any residue from your beautiful new diamond from everyday wear and dirt, makeup, oils from food, etc.
With that said, you need to clean your diamonds often if you want them to continue to shine like they did when new. Even the smallest amount of lotion, makeup, or cooking oil can dull the sparkle of a diamond no matter how well it's cut. With good care, and cleaning your lab grown diamond often, it can shine just as brightly in decades to come as it does today!
How to Clean Lab Grown Diamonds at Home
What You’ll Need
Cleaning your lab diamond jewelry at home is simple, and you probably already have everything you need:
- A small bowl of warm (not hot) water
- A few drops of mild dish soap (avoid anything with harsh chemicals)
- A soft-bristled toothbrush (if you have baby toothbrushes, they willwork perfectly)
- A lint-free or microfiber cloth for drying
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
- Prepare the cleaning solution: Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap in a small bowl.
- Soak your jewelry: Place the diamond jewelry in the solution for 15–20 minutes to loosen dirt and oils.
- Scrub gently: Use a soft toothbrush to brush around the diamond and its setting carefully, especially under the stone where buildup collects.
- Rinse thoroughly: Hold the piece under running lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
- Dry and polish: Pat dry with a lint-free cloth, and give it a gentle polish for that extra sparkle.
When to Get Your Lab Diamond Professionally Cleaned
While simple at-home cleaning keeps your lab grown diamonds sparkling, consider having your jewelry professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months — especially if you wear it regularly such as your engagement ring.
Professionals have ultrasonic and steam cleaners that can more thoroughly and safely remove tough dirt (such as oils and residue) that at-home cleaning may not be able to remove. They can also inspect prongs and settings to ensure your diamond is secure, reducing the chance of losing it accidentally.
You should book an appointment to have your jewelry professionally cleaned if it looks extremely dull even after cleaning, or if your jewelry has been subjected to lotions, sunscreen, or heavy buildup over months.
Useful Care and Maintenance Tips
It doesn't take much to keep your lab grown diamond jewelry shiny — a few mindful habits can bring you a long way:
Wipe It Down Regularly
Use a lint-free or microfiber cloth and gently wipe your diamond after you've worn it. This will wipe off oils, fingerprints, and light dirt before they build up.
Remove Before Certain Activities
Take off your jewelry before you hit the gym, cook, put on lotions and skin care, or while you are cleaning. Sweat, lotions, and harsh cleaning products can leave residue or harm delicate settings.
Rinse Weekly
Once a week, soak your diamond in a warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Then, take a soft toothbrush to brush it gently. This will help to restore its brilliance.
Check Your Setting
While you are wiping or cleaning, just take a quick look at any prongs or clasps. If anything feels loose, schedule an appointment to inspect with a professional jeweler before you accidentally lose it.
How to Store Your Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry Safely
Proper storage is as important as regular cleaning when it comes to maintaining your lab grown diamonds. Here’s how to keep them from being scratched or damaged:
Store Separately
Diamonds are one of the earth's hardest materials, and they can scratch other jewelry - even other diamonds. Ideally, keep each piece in its own fabric pouch or box with soft lining or compartment.
Use a Jewelry Organizer
If you have multiple pieces, you may want to invest in a jewelry box that has divided sections or individual pouches. This will help with tangling, especially for chains and bracelets, and helps to avoid snagging prongs or settings.
Avoid Humidity and Heat
Make an effort to store your jewelry away from any or excessive humidity and heat (avoid direct sun, and limit your jewelry from being stored in a typically humid spot, like the bathroom, as prolonged exposure of humid to metal settings can tarnish over time.)
Travel with Care
When traveling, use a padded travel case or a jewelry roll (there are many options on the market) to protect your jewelry from incidental movement and scratching while you are on the move.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Lab Diamonds
- Using Harsh Chemicals: Avoid bleach, chlorine or harsh house cleaners! These can erode the metal prongs, tarnish the settings and leave a build-up on your diamond.
- Cleaning with Toothpaste or Baking Soda: While using baking soda or toothpaste may feel benign, especially when compared to harsh chemicals, it is too abrasive and has the potential to scratch the metal or leave tiny, permanent marks over time.
- Soaking for Too Long: It’s fine to soak for a couple of minutes, but lets say you happened to go for a long soak of 5.. that may allow the prong of your diamond to loosen or potentially damage a delicate setting.
- Wearing While Cleaning: You probably weren’t aware that cleaning your diamond ring while doing your chores – like washing dishes, or showering is dulling it as well. This would expose it to harsh detergents and grime that will dull the brilliance of your diamond.
- Skipping Regular Maintenance: Cleaning your ring only when it looks dull allows dirt and oil to build up over time and make it more difficult to get back to its sparkling shine.
Do Lab Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle Over Time?
The good news? Lab created diamonds don’t lose their sparkle naturally. Just like their mined counterparts, they’re made of pure crystallized carbon, which means their brilliance and fire will always be there.
However, wearing them everyday can create the illusion of dullness. Oils from your skin, lotions, and tiny dust particles can build up on the surface, forming a thin film that blocks light reflection. The diamond itself hasn’t changed — it just needs a proper cleaning to restore its sparkle and shine.
If you can care for your lab created diamond with regular maintenance and occasional professional cleaning, your diamond will keep its shine and brilliance for life!
Keep Your Jewelry Sparkling with Lucenjuri
At Lucenjuri, we believe every diamond deserves to shine as brilliantly as the moment you first wore it. That’s why we craft our lab grown diamond jewelry with durable settings designed to protect your stone, ensuring lasting sparkle for years to come.
Need help in caring? Our team is here to provide expert advice and after-purchase support to ensure your jewelry can stay shining.
FAQs
What’s the best way to clean a lab grown diamond engagement ring?
The best and safest way to clean a lab grown diamond engagement ring is to soak it in warm water and mild dish soap for 15 to 20 minutes, then gently scrub the diamond using a soft toothbrush and dry it with a lint-free cloth. This will keep your diamond looking bright and beautiful while protecting it from damage.
Can I use ultrasonic cleaners at home?
Yes, you can, but with caution. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for lab grown diamonds but may loosen prongs or settings over time. It is better to avoid ultrasonic cleaners if you have pavé or delicate settings and instead brush and clean them by hand or professionally.
Are there differences between cleaning mined and lab diamonds?
No. Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, therefore the cleaning methods are the same. Both types of diamonds will remain brilliant and sparkly with regular gentle cleaning.
Can lab diamonds get scratched?
Lab grown diamonds are just as durable as natural diamonds (10 on the Mohs scale) and extremely scratch resistant. That said, lab diamonds can scratch softer stones and metals, so be sure you store them carefully.
How often should I clean my ring?
For everyday wear rings like engagement rings, clean them about once every 1–2 weeks to prevent build up of oils and dirt. For heavy duty cleaning consider a professional clean every 6-12 months.
What is the best way to store lab created diamond jewelry?
Store your jewelry in a soft-lined box or fabric pouch and keep them individually allowing them to be separate from other jewelry so they do not scratch the other jewelry. When you are not wearing them, and for added protection, store them away from moisture and direct sunlight.
