Living with jewelry
Keep the small things close.
Care for the whole piece: its stones, metal and setting. Start with the instructions for your jewelry, especially if it has other gemstones or treatments.
Read the guide
Check the piece before cleaning
If you notice a moving stone, a bent setting or a damaged clasp, set the piece aside and ask a jewelry professional to inspect it before wearing or cleaning it again.
Cleaning advice for an untreated diamond may not suit every treatment, other gemstone or delicate setting. If you do not know what your piece contains, ask before choosing a cleaning method.
Keep home cleaning gentle
For a secure diamond setting whose care instructions allow this method:
- Use water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Gently lift dirt with a soft brush reserved for jewelry. Avoid forceful scrubbing around prongs or delicate settings.
- Rinse carefully with the sink drain closed, then dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Leave harsh methods out
Avoid chlorine bleach, toothpaste and abrasive household cleaners; they can damage metals used in jewelry. Be especially careful with fragile or antique settings.
Leave ultrasonic and steam cleaning to a professional who can assess the stones and setting first. These methods can loosen stones, and ultrasonic cleaning can damage fracture-filled diamonds.
Make room for everyday care
Diamond resists scratching, but a hard impact can still chip or break it. Take jewelry off before work or activities that could strike the stones or setting.
Remove jewelry before swimming in pools or hot tubs. Chlorine can affect metal alloys and weaken settings.
Choose a consistent place to put pieces when you take them off. Keep their care instructions handy, and seek professional advice when something looks or feels different.
Sources reviewed . General education; check the details and care instructions for your individual piece.