How to Clean Diamond and Moissanite Jewelry at Home

Diamond and moissanite jewelry loses its sparkle when lotion, soap and everyday dirt build up under the stone. The good news is that you can clean diamond and moissanite jewelry at home in about five minutes.

Quick answer: soak the piece in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap for 20 minutes, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Step-by-Step Cleaning

1. Soak: fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Brush: use a soft baby toothbrush to clean under the stone and around the prongs, where dirt collects.
3. Rinse: rinse under warm running water. Close the sink drain or use a strainer first.
4. Dry: pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Shown: Snowflake Floral Cluster Round Lab Diamond Stud Earrings

What to Avoid

• Chlorine and bleach: remove jewelry before swimming pools, hot tubs and cleaning with bleach; chlorine can weaken gold alloys.
• Toothpaste and baking soda: they are abrasive and can scratch metal.
• Hard brushes and pins: they can loosen small pave stones.
• Ultrasonic cleaners on delicate pieces: they are generally fine for solid diamond and moissanite rings, but avoid them for pave, vintage or loose-stone pieces and for other gemstones.

Caring for Different Metals

• Gold: soap-and-water cleaning keeps it bright; white gold may need rhodium plating again every year or two.
• Sterling silver: use a silver polishing cloth to remove tarnish, and store pieces in an airtight bag.

How Often Should You Clean?

Clean everyday rings about once a week at home, and have prongs and settings checked by a jeweler once a year. For more tips, see our Jewelry Care page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my ring in the shower?

It will not harm the stone, but soap film dulls the sparkle, so it is better to take it off.

Why does my moissanite look cloudy?

A film of oil or soap is almost always the cause. A proper cleaning restores its sparkle.

Author Bio

Aumsri Pradhan

Founder, Ivevar Luxury

Aumsri Pradhan leads Ivevar Luxury, a Surat-based brand that handcrafts lab grown diamond and moissanite jewelry in its own workshop, and shares practical buying guidance on the Ivevar blog. View author profile ›