You've invested in a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery — now you want it to look as stunning in twenty years as it does today. The good news is that diamonds themselves are virtually indestructible. They're the hardest natural material on Earth, a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. They won't scratch, cloud, or lose their sparkle over time.
But the metal settings, prongs, and overall condition of your jewellery? Those need attention. Here's a practical, no-nonsense guide to keeping your diamond pieces in perfect shape.
Daily Wear: What to Know
Most diamond jewellery — especially engagement rings — is designed for everyday wear. But "everyday" doesn't mean "every activity." A few simple habits will prevent most common damage:
Put your ring on last. Apply lotions, sunscreen, hairspray, and perfume before putting on your jewellery. These products create a film on diamonds that dulls their sparkle. It's not permanent damage, but it means more frequent cleaning.
Take it off for heavy work. Gardening, weightlifting, moving furniture, home renovations — any activity where your ring could take a hard knock or get caught. Diamonds are hard (scratch-resistant), but they're not indestructible. A sharp impact at the right angle can chip a diamond, particularly at thin points like the girdle or the tip of a pear or marquise shape.
Remove it around harsh chemicals. Chlorine (swimming pools and hot tubs), bleach, and other harsh cleaners can damage gold alloys and weaken prongs over time. Platinum is more resistant, but it's still best practice to remove your jewellery.
Be mindful of temperature extremes. Rapid temperature changes won't damage a diamond, but they can affect some settings and soldering. Taking a ring from a sauna straight into cold water isn't ideal.
Cleaning at Home: The Simple Method
Your diamond doesn't need expensive cleaners. The most effective at-home method uses things you already have:
What you need:
- A small bowl
- Warm (not hot) water
- A few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn or Ivory)
- A soft-bristled toothbrush (a baby toothbrush works perfectly)
- A lint-free cloth
Steps:
- Soak your jewellery in the warm, soapy water for 20-30 minutes. This loosens oils, lotions, and everyday grime.
- Gently brush around the diamond and underneath the setting with the soft toothbrush. Pay special attention to the back of the stone — this is where oils accumulate and block light, making your diamond look dull.
- Rinse under warm running water. Important: Place a strainer or cloth over the drain first. A dropped ring going down the sink is more common than you'd think.
- Pat dry with a lint-free cloth, or let it air dry on a clean surface.
Do this once a week for rings worn daily, and your diamond will maintain its full brilliance.
What NOT to use:
- Ultrasonic cleaners at home — while professionals use them safely, consumer-grade units can loosen stones from settings, especially if prongs are already worn.
- Toothpaste — despite the old wives' tale, toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch gold and platinum.
- Boiling water — can cause thermal shock in some gemstones (not diamonds, but many rings include accent stones like sapphires or emeralds).
- Bleach or ammonia-based cleaners — can discolour gold alloys and damage some finishes.
Professional Cleaning and Inspection
Even with excellent home care, professional maintenance is important. We recommend having your jewellery professionally inspected and cleaned every six months to a year. Here's what a professional service includes:
- Ultrasonic cleaning: Professional-grade machines remove deep-set grime that home cleaning can't reach.
- Steam cleaning: High-pressure steam blasts away residue without chemicals.
- Prong inspection: This is the most important part. Prongs wear down over time from daily contact. A loose prong is the number one cause of lost diamonds. A jeweller will check each prong under magnification and re-tip or re-prong as needed.
- Rhodium replating (for white gold): White gold is naturally yellowish — its bright white appearance comes from a thin rhodium plating that wears off over time. Replating every 12-18 months restores that crisp, bright finish.
- Polish: Removes light surface scratches from the metal, restoring its original lustre.
Storage: Keep Pieces Separated
Diamonds can scratch other diamonds, gold, platinum, and virtually any other gemstone. When you're not wearing your jewellery, proper storage prevents unnecessary wear:
- Use individual compartments: A jewellery box with fabric-lined dividers is ideal. Each piece should have its own space.
- Soft pouches work too: If you don't have a proper box, wrap each piece in a soft cloth or place it in a small fabric pouch.
- Never toss everything in a drawer together: Chains tangle, diamonds scratch other stones, and prongs catch on fabrics.
- Travel cases: For trips, use a hard-sided jewellery travel case. Never pack fine jewellery in checked luggage.
When to Remove Your Ring
To be blunt: removing your ring at the right times will prevent 90% of all jewellery damage. Here's a quick reference list:
- Always remove for: Cleaning with chemicals, swimming in chlorinated pools, heavy exercise, gardening, cooking with raw meat or dough, sleeping (optional, but reduces wear)
- Safe to keep on for: Hand washing, light office work, casual outings, typing, driving
- Judgement call: Showering (soap residue builds up, but no real damage), cooking (depends on the activity)
Create a consistent spot where you put your ring when you take it off — a small ring dish by the kitchen sink, a tray on your nightstand. The most common way people lose rings is setting them down in random places.
Insurance: Protect Your Investment
No care guide is complete without mentioning insurance. Jewellery insurance covers loss, theft, damage, and sometimes mysterious disappearance (yes, that's a real coverage category).
Options in Canada include:
- Adding a rider to your home or tenant's insurance: Usually the most affordable option
- Standalone jewellery insurance: Companies like Jewellers Mutual offer specialised policies with broader coverage
Get your piece appraised by a certified appraiser, and update the appraisal every 3-5 years to account for changes in diamond and metal prices.
Our Lifetime Warranty
At 6ix of Diamonds, every piece we sell comes with a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects, prong re-tipping, and structural integrity. We want you to enjoy your jewellery without worrying about unexpected repair costs.
We also offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for all pieces purchased from us. It's our way of maintaining a lasting relationship with our clients — not just making a sale.
Quick Reference: Care Cheat Sheet
- Weekly: Clean at home with warm soapy water and a soft brush
- Monthly: Inspect prongs visually — gently push on the diamond to check for movement
- Every 6-12 months: Professional cleaning and prong inspection
- Every 12-18 months: Rhodium replating (white gold only)
- Always: Store pieces separately, remove for harsh activities, insure valuable pieces
Questions About Care?
If you notice a loose stone, a bent prong, or anything that doesn't look right, don't wait — bring it in promptly. Small repairs prevent big problems.
Book a maintenance appointment at our Toronto showroom, or reach out to us with any questions about caring for your jewellery. We're always happy to help.