How To Care For Your Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery
Lab-grown diamonds offer the same brilliance, durability, and beauty as natural diamonds while being more sustainable and ethically sourced. Whether you've invested in a lab-grown diamond engagement ring, necklace, or earrings, proper care is essential to maintain their stunning sparkle and ensure they last a lifetime.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your lab-grown diamond jewellery, from daily maintenance to professional cleaning.
Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds
Before diving into care instructions, it's important to understand that lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. Created through advanced technological processes like Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), lab-grown diamonds possess the same hardness rating of 10 on the Mohs scale, making them one of the most durable gemstones available.
This means your lab-grown diamond jewellery requires exactly the same care as traditional diamond jewellery—no special treatments or precautions are necessary. However, understanding proper care techniques will help you maintain that brilliant shine and protect your investment.
Daily Care and Wearing Tips
When to Remove Your Jewellery
While lab-grown diamonds are incredibly durable, the settings and bands that hold them can be vulnerable to damage. To protect your jewellery, remove it during:
• Household cleaning: Harsh chemicals in cleaning products can damage metal settings and cause discolouration
• Swimming: Chlorine can weaken precious metals over time
• Exercising: Perspiration and impact can damage delicate settings
• Gardening or manual work: Dirt buildup and potential impacts can harm your jewellery
• Applying beauty products: Lotions, perfumes, and hairspray can leave residue on diamonds, dulling their sparkle
The 'Last On, First Off' Rule
Make your jewellery the last thing you put on when getting ready and the first thing you take off when you get home. This simple habit minimises exposure to cosmetics, perfumes, and other substances that can dull your diamonds' brilliance.
How to Clean Your Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery
At-Home Cleaning Methods
The Gentle Soak Method (Recommended Weekly)
This is the safest and most effective method for regular cleaning:
• Mix warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid in a small bowl
• Let your jewellery soak for 20-30 minutes
• Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying special attention to the underside of the stone where dirt accumulates
• Rinse thoroughly under warm running water (ensure the plug is in or use a strainer!)
• Pat dry with a lint-free cloth
Quick Shine Method (Daily Touch-Ups)
For daily maintenance, simply wipe your jewellery with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing. This removes fingerprints, oils, and light buildup that can dull the sparkle.
The Ammonia Method (Monthly Deep Clean)
For a deeper clean once a month:
• Mix one part ammonia to six parts warm water
• Soak jewellery for no more than 10 minutes
• Gently scrub with a soft brush
• Rinse thoroughly and dry
Warning: Avoid ammonia if your jewellery contains pearls, emeralds, or other delicate gemstones in addition to lab-grown diamonds.
What to Avoid When Cleaning
• Harsh chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, and acetone can damage metal settings
• Abrasive materials: Baking soda, toothpaste, and rough cloths can scratch softer metals like gold and platinum
• Ultrasonic cleaners at home: Unless specifically recommended by your jeweller, these can loosen stones if settings are worn
• Hot water: Extreme temperature changes can damage certain settings
Proper Storage Solutions
Individual Storage
Lab-grown diamonds can scratch other jewellery and even other diamonds. Store each piece separately in:
• Soft fabric-lined jewellery boxes with individual compartments
• Soft pouches made from velvet, silk, or chamois leather
• The original box your jewellery came in
Ideal Storage Conditions
• Cool, dry location: Avoid humid environments that can tarnish metal settings
• Away from sunlight: Direct sunlight can fade certain coloured gemstones (though diamonds are unaffected)
• Secure location: Consider a safe or locked jewellery box for valuable pieces
Travel Tips
When travelling with your lab-grown diamond jewellery:
• Use a travel jewellery case with secure compartments
• Keep jewellery in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags
• Take photos of your pieces for insurance purposes
• Consider leaving extremely valuable pieces at home in a safe
Professional Maintenance
Annual Professional Inspections
Even with excellent at-home care, professional maintenance is crucial. Visit a qualified jeweller at least once a year for:
• Prong inspection: Checking that prongs holding your diamond are secure and haven't worn down
• Setting tightness: Ensuring stones are secure and haven't loosened
• Metal condition: Checking for wear, scratches, or needed repairs
• Professional cleaning: Deep cleaning with professional equipment
• Polishing: Restoring shine to metal bands
When to Seek Immediate Professional Help
Don't wait for your annual check-up if you notice:
• A loose stone or rattling sound
• Bent or broken prongs
• Significant scratches or damage to the band
• Difficulty putting on or removing your ring (may indicate size changes)
Special Care for Different Settings
Prong Settings
Most common for engagement rings, prong settings require extra attention as the metal can wear down over time. Check prongs regularly for signs of wear and have them re-tipped by a professional when needed.
Bezel Settings
More secure than prong settings, bezel settings still need inspection to ensure the metal rim hasn't lifted or developed gaps.
Pavé and Channel Settings
These intricate settings with multiple small diamonds require gentle cleaning. Use a very soft brush and avoid ultrasonic cleaners unless approved by your jeweller, as vibrations can loosen small stones.
Tension Settings
Modern tension settings rely on precise metal pressure. Never attempt to resize these yourself—always consult the original jeweller or a specialist.
Common Myths About Lab-Grown Diamond Care
Myth 1: Lab-Grown Diamonds Need Special Cleaning Products
False. Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical composition as natural diamonds and can be cleaned using the same methods and products.
Myth 2: Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Less Durable
False. Lab-grown diamonds have the same hardness rating (10 on the Mohs scale) as natural diamonds and are equally resistant to scratching and damage.
Myth 3: Lab-Grown Diamonds Will Cloud Over Time
False. Lab-grown diamonds maintain their clarity and brilliance indefinitely, just like natural diamonds. Any cloudiness is simply buildup from oils and dirt, which is easily cleaned.
Myth 4: You Can't Use Ultrasonic Cleaners on Lab-Grown Diamonds
Partially false. Ultrasonic cleaners are safe for lab-grown diamonds themselves, but should be used with caution depending on the setting and metal type. Always consult your jeweller first.
Environmental Benefits of Proper Care
One of the key reasons people choose lab-grown diamonds is their reduced environmental impact compared to mined diamonds. By properly caring for your lab-grown diamond jewellery, you're extending its life and furthering this environmental commitment:
• Reduces replacement needs: Well-maintained jewellery lasts for generations, reducing the need for new production
• Preserves resources: Preventing damage means less metal and materials needed for repairs
• Supports sustainability: Proper care aligns with the ethical values that drew you to lab-grown diamonds
Quick Reference Care Schedule
Daily:
• Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing
• Remove during cleaning, exercise, and manual work
• Store separately in a fabric-lined box or pouch
Weekly:
• Soak in warm soapy water for 20-30 minutes
• Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Rinse and pat dry with a lint-free cloth
Monthly:
• Deep clean with diluted ammonia solution (if appropriate for your setting)
• Check prongs and settings for any signs of wear
Annually:
• Professional inspection and cleaning
• Prong retipping if needed
• Professional polishing of metal bands
Caring for your lab-grown diamond jewellery is straightforward and requires the same attention you'd give to any precious jewellery. With regular cleaning, proper storage, and annual professional maintenance, your lab-grown diamonds will maintain their stunning brilliance for a lifetime and beyond.
Remember, the beauty of lab-grown diamonds lies not just in their sparkle, but in the sustainable and ethical choice they represent. By taking proper care of your jewellery, you're protecting your investment while honouring the values that made lab-grown diamonds the perfect choice for you.
Whether you're wearing your lab-grown diamond engagement ring every day or saving a special piece for important occasions, these care tips will ensure your jewellery continues to shine as brightly as the day you first wore it. Explore Created Brilliance's range of lab-grown diamond jewellery.