How To Clean Diamond Earrings Without Damaging Them

 Every woman needs at least one pair of diamond earrings because they add such a beautiful touch to anyone who wears it. Diamonds are a timeless jewel that’s versatile enough to work with pretty much any outfit, sending out a subtle message of style and class. Diamond earrings can be found in a variety of styles and designs such as the humble diamond stud earrings — a signature in every woman's wardrobe, to larger earrings that carry bigger diamonds. 

Here, we explore everything there is to know about diamond earrings, including how we can clean them, the best cleaning agents to use, why we should keep them clean, and more. 

Let's get started...

Cleaning Your Diamond Earrings At Home

Do You Have the Right Equipment?

Jewelry Cleaning Kit

If your bling is looking dull, you can restore its sparkle and shine with an at-home jewelry cleaning kit. Look for one that will remove tarnish, dirt, and oils from most types of gems and metals with just a soak in a non-toxic solution combined with light polishing using soft cloths. 

It's also good practice to check all the jewelry cleaning kits for the specifics on what they’re safe for use on, along with the best techniques for use. Many are non-abrasive, which will restore luster without any damage, but you should still make sure that they are appropriate for your precious metals and gems. 

What Tools Do You Need To Clean Your Diamond Earrings?

To get started with cleaning our beautiful diamond earrings, you'll need to find a toothbrush (you can also use a specialist brush or some other small, finely haired brush) to remove grime and dirt through a gentle grinding action. Keep in mind that the settings can be damaged if you use a brush that's too rough. We highly recommend using a child's brush rather than one that's designed for adults, since it will be gentler to use on diamond earrings. 

Next, soft cloth is needed for polishing and drying the studs. For this, you can buy cloth specially made for cleaning jewelry, a microfiber cloth, or just a good old rag. Microfiber cloths are particularly good to use in this situation, as there is a small risk of any thread getting caught on your jewelry. If you decide on using a rag, make sure it's made from closely woven, absorbent material. 

Safe Area For The Cleaning Process

This is an important part because countless people have lost or damaged their stunning gold and diamond earrings simply because they picked the wrong place for cleaning them. This is where you need to pay attention: 

• Choose a flat surface: a moving or sloping surface will make it much harder for you to keep an eye on your earrings. 
• Clean your earrings against a dark background: it'll make your life so much easier if you can see your earrings on a plain, dark background.
• NEVER clean your earrings near the sink: every year, thousands of earrings are lost down the drain. Don't let your gorgeous studs suffer the same fate.  
• Make sure to clean them in a good light: cleaning during the day time is the best, as it helps you to see if every last bit of dirt is removed before you wear them again. 

Accessory Cleaning Tools 

You'll need a bowl to soak your jewelry in. Whatever you do, don't soak your jewelry in the sink or basin — we already know what happens there. In addition, wearing gloves while cleaning your jewelry will keep them looking pristine, without the spoils of smudged fingerprints and oily skin on the surface. 

What are the Cleaning Agents you can use?

There are plenty of cleaning agents that you can use to clean your precious gems, however, these are the most commonly used: 

• Dish Soap: Mix warm water with a few drops of any dishwashing liquid. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and rub your earrings to remove the tarnish. When finished, rinse with cool water and buff dry with your microfiber cloth. 
• Ammonia: Mix ¼ cup of warm water, 2 tsp. of liquid soap and 1 tsp. of ammonia. Place some of the solution on a soft cloth and gently rub the earrings until the tarnish is removed. You can also soak the jewelry in the solution for 30 minutes if needed. Remove the earrings and cover the head of the toothbrush with a microfiber cloth to gently remove tarnish. 
• Bicarbonate of Soda: make a thick water and bicarb paste, then apply it to the earrings. Leave it on for ten minutes and rinse away while using a toothbrush to remove dirt and grime. 
• Hydrogen Peroxide: carefully fill a bowl with hydrogen peroxide and let the earrings soak for ten minutes. Thoroughly rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth. 

Step-By-Step Instructions To Clean Your Diamond Earrings

1. Make sure that you have everything you need and are in a safe place to clean your earrings. 
2. Fill a small bowl with your preferred cleaning solution. 
3. Fully immerse your earrings and leave for at least 10 minutes (unless instructed otherwise). 
4. Remove the earrings and start scrubbing using your toothbrush. 
5. If needed, you can re-immerse your earrings in the solution. 
6. When completely clean, thoroughly rinse your earrings in warm water. Remember not to rinse them over the sink, as you risk losing them to the drains. 
7. Dry and polish them for extra sparkle and store them appropriately until needed. 

Pro Tips To Keep Your Diamond Earrings Sparkling

• Avoid wearing your earrings when engaged in activities where you’re likely to get dirty, such as gardening, redecorating, or sports. 
• Keep your earrings in a jewelry box, pouch, or a case in-between wears. 
• If you have a piece with a mixture of gems set in it, use a proprietary cleaner or washing liquid with water to clean your earrings. 

FAQs

Why should I keep my Diamond Earrings clean?

Our staff at Lexie Jordan Fine Jewelry know that hygiene is important when it comes to earrings. Here are three key reasons why cleaning your earrings should be a top priority: 

• Lack-luster earrings: To stay beautiful and unspoiled, diamond earrings have to be immaculately clean. 
• Prevent bacteria build-up: no matter what you do, grime can build up on the piece over time, breeding bacteria. Regular cleaning can prevent this and help to keep it hygienic for your next occasion.  
• Prolong their life: depending on the metal used in the settings, exposure to some substance may result in deterioration. Simple cleaning is all that's needed to minimize the risk of a degraded earring.  

What if your earrings are made up of other materials besides diamonds?

It's best to do research into the different cleaning solutions to make sure they will work with your other gems and stones. For example, the surface of pearls can get damaged if they are exposed to high temperatures, so make sure to check that the cleaning solution you're cleaning them in isn't too hot or too cold. 

Can you use toothpaste or rubbing alcohol to clean your diamond earrings?

Generally, toothpaste and rubbing alcohol aren't the best solutions to clean your jewelry with. Not only are they potentially abrasive, but rubbing alcohol can also dull your stones. 

How often should your diamond earrings be cleaned?

If you have a special occasion coming up or want your earrings to stay extra lustrous, you should clean them once a month. This ensures your stones and settings stay sparkling all the time.

When should they be cleaned professionally?

If your earrings are delicately designed, getting them cleaned professionally is your best bet. Getting them cleaned by a professional to reach the nooks and crannies at least once a year is an excellent way to maintain their beauty.