How to Clean a Diamond Ring

By
Carly Wickell
Carly Wickell
Carly Wickell is a jewelry expert and writer with over a decade of experience in the vintage jewelry and museum fields. She has a Master of Arts in museology from the University of Washington. 
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 07/20/22
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, homekeeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 books.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
diamond ring and cleaning supplies

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Hand lotions, hairstyling products, cooking ingredients, and everyday oils and grime all leave enough of a film on your diamond ring to keep it from looking its best. If you wait too long between cleanings, those elements can accumulate into a thick layer of gunk on the back of your diamond which blocks light and makes the diamond appear dull and lifeless.

A diamond ring is an investment, so take care when it's time to make it sparkle. You can use the same technique, with gentle liquid dish detergent, to safely clean a fracture-filled diamond ring (a diamond injected with a glass-like substance to beautify a lower-grade stone), also called a treated or clarity-enhanced diamond ring. This technique is also gentle enough for other soft gemstones that may also be mounted on the diamond ring.

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How Often to Clean a Diamond Ring

A diamond ring can be cleaned once or twice a week to keep it sparkling. The key is to clean it with a gentle cleaning mixture. Diamonds are durable, but that doesn't mean any old cleanser will bring a diamond ring back to life. Harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing can sometimes remove coatings and other materials used to enhance diamonds. Also, precious metals in diamond settings can be porous, soft, and prone to damage, especially when exposed to harsh chemicals, exfoliants, or cleansers. The best way to clean a diamond ring is to be gentle and use mild cleansing ingredients.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Small bowl for water

Materials

  • Mild liquid dish detergent
  • Warm water
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Dry, clean lint-free cloth

Instructions

    1. Mix the Cleaning Solution

      Mix in a deep bowl a solution of mild liquid dish detergent and warm to almost hot water. Ivory dishwashing liquid is a popular choice, but any other mild detergent is fine.

      Mixed solution for cleaning a diamond ring

      The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    2. Soak the Ring

      Soak the diamond ring in the bowl for 20 to 40 minutes to loosen the dirt stuck in the prongs and in other hidden spots around the ring's setting.

      Soaking the diamond ring in the cleaning solution

      The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    3. Gently Brush the Ring

      Use a very soft brush if necessary to remove dirt. Make sure the brush will not scratch the ring's metal setting. Pay special attention to the undercarriage of your ring and between the prongs where there may be dirt and grime build-up. If your diamond appears hazy or dull when it hadn't before, it is likely due to a thick layer of gunk in this general area.

      cleaning a diamond ring with a soapy solution and soft bristle brush

      The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    4. Swish the Ring Around in the Solution

      Swish the ring around in the solution and let it sit for two to three minutes.

      Swishing the ring around in the cleaning solution

      The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    5. Close the Drain and Rinse

      Close the sink drain tightly before rinsing the diamond ring thoroughly in warm water.

      Rinsing the diamond ring under water

      The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    6. Blot the Ring Dry

      Blot the diamond ring dry with a dry lint-free cloth.

      Blotting the ring dry

      The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

    Tips to Keep Your Diamond Ring Clean Longer

    • Use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with extreme caution with a diamond ring. The vibrating fluid may remove grime, but it can also damage or loosen stones in their settings. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean a fracture-filled, treated, or clarity-enhanced diamond.
    • Wear rubber gloves or remove your rings anytime you are handling chlorine, harsh detergents, washing dishes, or cleaning your hands in order to eliminate soap residue build-up and decrease the risk of losing your diamond ring down the drain.
    • When removing a ring, never pull it off by the stone and setting. Glide it off using the shank (the circular part of the ring).
    • If the diamond and setting need extra help, use a dental irrigation device, such as a Waterpik Water Flosser, to flush away small bits of grime. Or, use a wooden toothpick to very carefully push dirt away from the diamond and setting. Then repeat steps 3 through 5 above.
    • Though a solution of ammonia and water can be used to clean diamonds on a rare occasion, it is not advised for fracture-filled diamonds or for rings with delicate settings. Ammonia can cloud or remove the coating on a gemstone and severely damage your setting.
    • Do not use household cleaners or toothpaste to clean a diamond ring because the abrasiveness can damage the stone and setting.
    • Invest in a gem cloth, available in jewelry and hardware stores, to remove oily substances from your ring (after cooking, for instance) between cleanings.
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