A lab-grown diamond is just as hard and durable as a mined one, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, but the metal it sits in and the everyday grime of daily life still need attention. A little routine care keeps your ring, pendant or earrings looking as brilliant as the day you bought them. Here is exactly how to do it.
Clean lab-grown diamond jewelry every couple of weeks in warm water with a drop of dish soap and a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Store pieces separately to prevent scratching, remove jewelry before cleaning, swimming or applying lotions, and have settings professionally checked once a year so no stone works loose.
Why Lab-Grown Diamonds Still Need Care
Because a lab-grown diamond has the same physical and optical properties as a mined diamond, it is graded by the same laboratories, including GIA and IGI, and cared for in exactly the same way. The stone itself is almost impervious to scratching, but it attracts oils from skin, lotions and cooking that dull its sparkle, and the surrounding metal can bend, wear or loosen over time.
The Simple At-Home Cleaning Method
Fill a bowl with warm (not hot) water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak the piece for 20 to 30 minutes, then gently brush behind and around the stone with a soft toothbrush to lift the film that collects underneath. Rinse in clean water — over a strainer, never an open drain — and pat dry with a lint-free cloth. Doing this every two to three weeks keeps light passing cleanly through the diamond.
What to Avoid
Skip harsh chemicals such as bleach, chlorine and abrasive household cleaners, which can damage metal settings and loosen prongs. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for older or fracture-treated pieces unless a professional has confirmed they are safe. And never use toothpaste or baking soda, which are abrasive enough to scratch precious metal.
Everyday Habits That Protect Your Jewelry
Adopt the rule of last on, first off: put jewelry on after makeup, perfume and lotion, and take it off before you go to bed. Remove rings before gardening, cleaning, lifting weights or swimming in chlorinated pools. These small habits prevent the two biggest threats to any fine piece — impact and chemical build-up. If you are shopping for a new piece, our lab-grown diamond collection and beginner’s guide explain what makes these stones so resilient.
Smart Storage
Store each piece separately in a soft-lined box or individual pouch. Because a diamond can scratch other diamonds and softer gemstones, letting pieces jostle together in one compartment is a common cause of damage. Keep an engagement ring in its own slot rather than tossing it in with chains and studs.
Professional Maintenance
Once a year, have a jeweler inspect the setting, check that prongs are secure and re-polish the metal. This is the single most effective way to prevent the heartbreak of a lost stone. To understand the qualities you are protecting, our diamond education hub breaks down cut, color, clarity and carat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean a lab-grown diamond the same way as a mined one?
Yes. The two are physically identical, so the same warm-water-and-mild-soap method works perfectly. The stone is extremely hard; it is the setting that needs the gentle treatment.
How often should I clean my jewelry?
A quick clean every two to three weeks keeps everyday oils from dulling the sparkle. Pieces worn daily, such as engagement rings, benefit from more frequent attention.
Is it safe to use an ultrasonic cleaner?
For most modern lab-grown diamonds in sound settings it is fine, but have a jeweler confirm first, especially for older pieces or any stone that has been treated. When in doubt, the manual method is always safe.
