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How to Clean a Lab Diamond
When you bought your lab created diamond, you wanted to get the most bang for your buck. You studied the 4C’s like they were the alphabet. You looked for the right cut, the purest color, the most brilliant, stunning stone on the market. The low price of the lab created diamond allowed you to invest a little more, so you went for it. You wanted to get the diamond that would turn heads.
As with all investments, lab created diamonds need protecting and in terms of diamond, that means protecting it from the elements. If you don’t clean your lab created diamond, oil and grime will build up, causing the diamond to become dull. At this point, it wouldn’t impress anyone no matter how highly rated or well cut it is.
Lab created diamonds rate a ten on the Moh’s scale and are quite resistant to scratching from even some of the toughest minerals, but a little dirt and oil can be their downfall.
In order to keep your lab created diamond sparkling, it takes a little polish here and there. Here are some ways you can keep your lab created diamond clean and make your investment truly pay off. In this article, we will discuss:
- Hand Cleaning Lab Created Diamonds
- Jewelry Kits and Cleaning Detergents
- All-Natural Jewelry Cleaners
- Diamond Cleaning Pens
- Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners for Lab Created Diamonds
- Steamers for Lab Created Diamonds
- Dual Ultrasonic and Steamers for Lab Created Diamonds
- Professional Cleaning
- What is the Best Way to Clean My Lab Created Diamond?
Quick Navigation
Hand Cleaning Lab Created Diamonds
If you believe in doing things the old-fashioned way, taking things into your own hands may be the best method of attack when cleaning your diamond. Hand cleaning is a tried and true inexpensive process commonly used today by many diamond owners to keep their diamonds looking good as new while keeping grungy buildup to a minimum.
In order to clean your diamond, you will need:
- A space to clean your diamond
- a towel
- a bowl with water
- tweezers
- a jewelry cleaning solution
- a soft bristle brush
- a flannel cloth
Procedure:
- Spread the cloth out in a well-lit area (avoid sinks and drain holes)
- Soak the diamond in a bowl to get rid of any dirt. Alternatively, use tweezers to grip the diamond while running it under water. If you choose the latter, you will be best off using a strainer to avoid the diamond from falling down the drain.
- Dip the stone in the jewelry cleaning solution and let it sit for about five minutes. Dishwashing solution will work best. Hand and body soaps contain moisturizers which will leave their own oily residue on the diamond.
- Use the bristle brush (a toothbrush will do) to gently clean the diamond using circular motions. Change angles so you’re able to dig into crevices while making sure to keep a firm grip on your jewelry.
- Rinse jewelry in fresh water until it is free from all residue from the cleaning solution.
- Buff with a dry flannel cloth to bring out maximum brilliance and luminosity. Continue until the desired effect is reached. Remaining water stains can be easily removed using alcohol in a spray bottle or applying a few drops directly to the jewelry.
Word to the wise: avoid using pins to dig out dirt and abrasive bleaches as detergents. Diamonds are known to be durable, but they are susceptible to damage. With some tender loving care, you should be able to keep your diamond shining brightly by hand cleaning your diamond regularly.
Jewelry Kits and Cleaning Detergents
A diamond is the hardest mineral on the Moh’s scale. That means no other mineral can scratch it, but harsh chemicals are not the best solution for your diamond cleaning, literally and figuratively. Even perfume at high levels can be harmful to your jewelry. When cleaning jewelry at home, toothpaste and dish detergent should be sufficient.
If you want to take a little of the “Y” out of DIY work, jewelry cleaners are an all-in-one set that gives you all the tools in the toolbox. They come with their own detergents that usually contain some extra moisturizers and ingredients to keep jewelry clean longer than regular dish detergent and prevent drying and the safest ones are ammonia and chemical free, which is a smart choice for both the diamond and the environment.
Jewelry cleaner kits come with dipping trays, so you don’t need to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bowl- or Brush for that matter) and there’s no chance of your diamond ending up in the sewer system.
To use your jewelry kit, simply place your diamond on the tray and submerge it into the cleaner. Brush it off and polish it until it is restored to its original glory. It should get the job done with no chemical smells in your house, on you or your diamond.
All-Natural Jewelry Cleaners
Diamonds are not known to irritate skin, but when traces of jewelry cleaners are left on them, they can turn into an allergic breakout waiting to happen. If your skin is super sensitive, all-natural jewelry cleaners may be the safest option. All-natural jewelry trays are much like most traditional jewelry cleaners, but they also come with two anti-tarnish bags to store precious jewels and keep them protected against germ infiltration. The cleaning solution is ammonia and alcohol-free, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic.
Diamond Cleaning Pens
Portable lightweight and easy to use, diamond cleaning pens are a great option for keeping your lab created diamond clean on the go. The advantages of diamond cleaning pens are that they’re no mess, inexpensive, and you don’t need a separate jewelry cleaner or kit to use them. They look like lipstick tubes and work like a pen and can be easily tossed in a makeup case or purse while traveling.
The diamond cleaning pen works by using a twist up motion to dispense a cleaning solution containing polymers and microfine cleansers that fill in fine scratches on the surface of the diamond. It also minimizes the accumulation of future dirt. It is a good choice for touch-ups and quick fixes, but not meant for heavy-duty use.
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners for Lab Created Diamonds
Want to take it up a notch? Hand cleaning and jewelry kits work to a point, but if you want to restore your lab created diamond to its original bling, jewelry cleaners are the way to go. Lab created diamonds are high technology, and so are the methods for cleaning them.
Depending on your budget, you can get a wide range of jewelry cleaners, each of which employs slightly different methods to clean your lab created diamond.
One of the more popular and affordable high technology choices is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. The ultrasonic uses water to create ultrasonic waves to deeply polish and shine your jewels. This appliance is a favorite choice for diamond owners because the equipment can be adjusted to the right frequency to clean the diamond thoroughly without causing damage.
Solvents can be added to enhance the ultrasonic cleaning process, but water and soap with environmentally safe pH levels will do a more than satisfactory job. There are also several ready-made ultrasonic detergents on the market, but it is important to research them in order to determine which one will best suit your purpose. Conversely, if the pH level is extremely low, the soap may not have the power to clean the diamond effectively.
During the ultrasonic cleaning process, high-pressure sound waves are used to vibrate the solution. These cause cavitation bubbles that remove grime from the surface of the diamond. The action also works to penetrate holes, cracks, and recesses for a deep clean that may be difficult to achieve using more traditional methods. Within two to three minutes your diamond emerges looking brand new, sparkling and brilliant.
Other benefits of the ultrasonic: Multiple pieces can be cleaned at once, to save time and money, and because the gentle cleaning process does not damage your jewelry, your lab created diamond can be cleaned as often as necessary.
Steamers for Lab Created Diamonds
If you’ve got ten seconds and a little tap water, steam cleaning is another safe and effective way to keep your lab created diamond clean. Like ultrasonic cleaning, steam cleaning does not use any harmful chemicals that could damage the jewelry nor does it use ultrasonic waves. Although steam cleaners tend to run a little higher in price than ultrasonic cleaners, you can let off some steam while knowing your diamond is well maintained.
The way steam cleaners work is a bit more straightforward than ultrasonic cleaners. With steam cleaners, pressurized heat is focused on the jewelry to blast away surface dirt and oil that dulls your diamonds natural luster. They’re controlled with on and off switches and feature LED lights to let you know when they’re ready for usage. All you need to do is add water.
Some prefer steam cleaning to ultrasonic cleaning because it is gentler and more eco-friendly. It works with simple H2O and is free of toxic chemicals.
Dual Ultrasonic and Steamer for Lab Created Diamonds
Can’t decide between the ultrasonic and the steamer? If you want to do double duty when it comes to cleaning your lab created diamond, the dual ultrasonic and steamer is the ultimate two in one gadget that uses sound waves to get keep your diamond in peak condition.
It’s true, sound waves are the newest technology in jewelry cleaning. This high-end cleaner uses high-intensity sound waves to safely scrub dirt and oil from jewelry. Like its components, the dual ultrasonic and steamer primarily rely on water for their cleaning power, but a detergent can be added for stronger cleaning.
After the dirt is removed using the ultrasonic cleaning method, the steam comes in for final sanitization, killing the excess germs and bacteria. While the dual model may be pretty pricey, the results are comparable to what you can expect from a professional, so if serious cleaning is part of your plan, this may actually turn out to be a more affordable option.
Professional Cleaning
Luckily, even in this age of technology, there are still things humans are useful for, and one of those is cleaning jewelry. Sure, even professional cleaners use ultrasonic machines and steamers, but they don’t call themselves professionals for nothing.
By going to a professional, you avoid the risk of using the wrong detergent, misusing equipment, and if they lose your diamond (which hopefully they won’t) you’re off the hook, at least for the monetary loss. They can also determine the best cleaning method for your diamond to avoid damage and get the best results.
Chances are, no matter how well you do with your home devices, you’ll never see your lab created diamond looking better than it does after a visit to the jeweler.
What’s the Best Way to Clean My Lab Created Diamond?
So, what is the best bet for cleaning your lab created diamond?
Hand cleaning is the “old school” way of cleaning a diamond; it is the most inexpensive method and it’s not hard to do. It’s worked well for centuries, and it works well now. However, it does take a little more elbow grease and it won’t give you the deep clean that you can get from newer devices.
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are affordable as well and they clean much more deeply than hand cleaning. The process requires much less work than hand cleaning and cuts downtime. It can also be cost effective and save you from frequent trips to the jewelers.
However, ultrasonic cleaners have their risks. If lab created diamonds have inclusions, the agitation from ultrasonic cleaners can cause internal damage to the diamond.
Additionally, certain diamond shapes are more susceptible to damage than others. Many have vulnerable spots and angled corners which can chip and break in the ultrasonic cleaning process. Opting for the ultrasonic cleaner is an attractive option, but if your diamond has some inner flaws or pointed tips, it may not be the best one for you.
Steamers, on the other hand, are a less chancy solution. There is no risk of them ruining your diamond with abrasive cleaning, they take minutes to complete their tasks, and they also disinfect your jewelry as they clean it.
Steamers are also environmentally friendly and do not leave behind residue that may be a source of pollution. The downside: they can be pretty pricey. Most start at about $200, you can find an ultrasonic for as low as $25, but it may pay off in the long run in terms of time and money.
Lastly, we have the old, reliable jeweler–always a safe bet. Of course, you can’t have your diamond cleaned on-line, so it might mean getting off the couch, but as long as you work with a reputable jeweler, you should be able to get stunning and professional results without blindly sticking your jewelry into a machine and hoping for the best results. Plus, the average diamond cleaning visit will run you about $25, which is worth the peace of mind if nothing else.
So, now that you’ve read through your options for cleaning your lab-created diamond, which would you choose? Would you run the risk of using an ultrasonic cleaner, pay a little extra for a steamer, or just use the tried and true hand cleaning methods?