How to Care for Your Diamond Jewellery: Tips That Actually Matter
You've invested in a beautiful piece of diamond jewellery - whether it's a GIA-certified natural diamond or an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond that delivered the same brilliance at 60-80% less than a mined stone. Either way, you want it looking just as stunning in twenty years as it does today.
Here's the reassuring truth: diamonds themselves are extraordinarily durable. At a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, they're the hardest natural material on Earth. They won't scratch, cloud, or fade. But the metal settings, prongs, and overall construction of your piece? Those need real attention. This is your practical, no-nonsense guide to keeping your diamond jewellery in flawless condition - whether you're wearing it daily on the streets of Toronto or saving it for special occasions.
Daily Wear: Building Smart Habits
Most diamond jewellery - especially engagement ring collection - is designed for everyday wear. But everyday doesn't mean every activity. A few consistent habits will prevent the vast majority of common damage.
Put your jewellery on last. Apply skincare, SPF, hair products, and perfume before putting on your ring. In 2026, with layered skincare routines more common than ever, this matters more than it used to. Serums, retinols, and chemical exfoliants can leave residue that dulls a diamond's sparkle over time. It's not permanent damage - but it means more frequent cleaning.
Remove it for physical work. Weightlifting, gardening, home renovations, rock climbing - any activity where your ring could take a hard impact. Diamonds are scratch-resistant, but they're not shatter-proof. A sharp blow at the right angle can chip a diamond, particularly at vulnerable points like the girdle or the tip of fancy cuts like pear, marquise, or elongated oval shapes, which have surged in popularity recently.
Step away from harsh chemicals. Chlorine in swimming pools and hot tubs, household bleach, and strong cleaning products can degrade gold alloys and weaken prongs over time. Platinum is more chemically resistant, but the best practice for any metal is to remove your jewellery before cleaning.
Mind your hand sanitiser. This one became relevant during the pandemic and hasn't gone away. Frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers can gradually dull the finish on gold settings. It won't cause structural damage, but it's worth rinsing your ring more often if sanitiser is part of your daily routine.
Cleaning at Home: The Method That Works
You don't need expensive jewellery 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
- A soft-bristled toothbrush (a baby toothbrush is ideal)
- A lint-free cloth
Steps:
- Soak your jewellery in the warm soapy water for 20-30 minutes. This loosens oils, lotions, and daily grime.
- Gently brush around the diamond and underneath the setting. The back of the stone is where oils accumulate and block light - this is why diamonds look dull even when they're technically clean.
- Rinse under warm running water. Place a strainer over the drain first. Lost rings down the sink are far more common than people expect.
- Pat dry with a lint-free cloth or let it air dry on a clean surface.
For rings worn daily, once a week keeps your diamond performing at its best.
What to Avoid:
- Toothpaste - abrasive and will scratch gold and platinum surfaces.
- Boiling water - can cause thermal shock in accent stones like sapphires, rubies, or emeralds that often accompany diamond pieces.
- Bleach or ammonia - can discolour gold alloys and damage certain finishes.
- Consumer ultrasonic cleaners - while professional-grade machines are safe, budget home units can loosen stones from settings, especially if prongs are already worn. Hold off on these unless a jeweller has recently confirmed your settings are tight.
Professional Cleaning and Inspection
Home cleaning maintains brilliance, but professional care is what protects your investment long-term. We recommend a professional inspection and cleaning every six to twelve months. Here's what that service includes:
- Ultrasonic cleaning: Removes deep-set grime that home cleaning simply can't reach.
- Steam cleaning: High-pressure steam clears residue without harsh chemicals.
- Prong inspection under magnification: This is the most critical step. Prongs wear gradually from daily contact, and a worn or loose prong is the leading cause of lost diamonds. A jeweller will check every prong and re-tip or re-prong as needed before a problem occurs.
- Rhodium replating for white gold: White gold is naturally a warm yellow colour - its bright white appearance comes from a thin rhodium plating that wears down with daily wear. Replating every 12-18 months restores that sharp, crisp finish.
- Metal polishing: Removes light surface scratches and restores the metal's original lustre.
At our Toronto visit our showroom, we offer complimentary cleaning and inspections for every piece purchased from us - no appointment charge, no surprises.
A Note on lab-grown diamonds: Same Care, Exceptional Value
If your piece features an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond - as many of our clients are now choosing - the care instructions are identical to natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds. They score the same 10 on the Mohs scale, they're graded using the same 4Cs, and they require the same cleaning and professional maintenance.
The difference is in origin and price. Lab-grown diamonds are produced without mining, making them a more ethical and environmentally considered choice, and they typically cost 60-80% less than a comparable mined stone. That means clients are regularly choosing to go a full carat size larger - or investing in a more intricate setting - for the same budget.
Whether your diamond is GIA-certified natural or IGI-certified lab-grown, treat it with the same care. The stone's value to you doesn't change - and neither does the importance of protecting it.
Storage: Separate and Secure
Diamonds can scratch other diamonds, gold, platinum, and virtually any other gemstone. Proper storage when you're not wearing your jewellery prevents unnecessary wear and damage.
- Individual compartments: A jewellery box with fabric-lined dividers keeps pieces from contacting each other.
- Soft pouches: If you don't have a compartmentalised box, wrap each piece in a soft cloth or use individual fabric pouches.
- Never pile jewellery together in a drawer: Chains tangle, prongs catch on fabric, and diamonds scratch everything around them.
- Travel cases: Use a hard-sided jewellery travel case when you're away. Never pack fine jewellery in checked luggage - it's one of the most commonly targeted categories for both theft and damage.
Create a designated spot for your ring when you take it off - a ring dish by the sink, a tray on the nightstand. The most common way people lose rings is putting them down in an unfamiliar place and forgetting where.
When to Remove Your Ring: A Quick Reference
Removing your ring at the right moments prevents roughly 90% of all jewellery damage.
Always remove for:
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or the ocean
- Heavy exercise, weightlifting, or contact sports
- Gardening and outdoor physical work
- Cleaning with chemical products
- Working with raw dough, meat, or anything that gets into settings
Safe to keep on for:
- Light office work and typing
- Casual outings and dining
- Driving
- Hand washing with gentle soap
Use your judgement for:
- Showering (soap residue accumulates, but no structural damage occurs)
- Light cooking
- Sleeping (some wear occurs over time but it's minimal - if comfort is fine, it's your call)
Insurance: Don't Skip This Step
No care guide is complete without addressing insurance. Jewellery insurance covers loss, theft, accidental damage, and in many policies, mysterious disappearance - yes, that's a legitimate coverage category and it matters more than people realise.
In Canada in 2026, your main options are:
- A scheduled rider on your home or tenant's insurance: Typically the most cost-effective route for a single piece.
- Standalone jewellery insurance: Providers like Jewellers Mutual offer policies specifically designed for fine jewellery, often with broader coverage terms and no deductible options.
For either option, you'll need a certified appraisal. Update it every three to five years - diamond and gold prices shift, and an outdated appraisal can leave you underinsured. Your 6ix of Diamonds purchase documentation and any GIA or IGI certification can support the appraisal process.
Our Commitment to Your Piece
At 6ix of Diamonds, every piece we sell comes with a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects, prong re-tipping, and structural integrity. We believe caring for your jewellery is a relationship, not a transaction.
We also offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for all pieces purchased from us - walk into our Toronto showroom and we'll take care of it. Whether you purchased a GIA-certified natural diamond or an IGI-certified lab-grown stone, our commitment to ethically sourced, responsibly crafted jewellery extends through the entire life of your piece.
Quick Reference: Care Cheat Sheet
- Weekly: Clean at home with warm soapy water and a soft brush
- Monthly: Visually inspect prongs - gently check the diamond for any 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 with an up-to-date appraisal
If you notice a loose stone, a bent prong, or anything that looks off - don't wait. Small repairs prevent significant losses.
Book a maintenance appointment at our Toronto showroom, or reach out with any questions about caring for your jewellery. We're always here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clean a lab-grown diamond the same way as a natural diamond?
Yes, absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural mined diamonds - both score a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and respond the same way to cleaning. Warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush work perfectly for both. The same restrictions apply too: avoid toothpaste, bleach, ammonia, and boiling water. Whether your stone is IGI-certified lab-grown or GIA-certified natural, the care routine is exactly the same.
How often should I get my engagement ring professionally inspected in Toronto?
Every six to twelve months is the standard recommendation for rings worn daily. For Toronto residents, seasonal factors matter slightly - winter gloves can catch on prongs, and summer activities like swimming or outdoor work increase exposure risk. A professional inspection catches worn prongs, loose stones, and metal fatigue before they become costly problems. At 6ix of Diamonds, we offer complimentary inspections for all pieces purchased from our Toronto showroom.
Does hand sanitiser damage diamond rings?
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers won't damage the diamond itself, but regular exposure can gradually dull the finish on gold settings and degrade certain prong finishes over time. It's a good habit to slip your ring off before applying sanitiser, or at minimum to rinse your ring with warm water more frequently if sanitiser is a consistent part of your day. The stone is safe - it's the metal setting you're protecting.
Are lab-grown diamonds worth insuring?
Yes. Even though lab-grown diamonds cost 60-80% less than comparable mined diamonds, a quality IGI-certified lab-grown stone set in 18k gold or platinum still represents a significant financial investment - often several thousand dollars or more. Jewellery insurance covers loss, theft, and accidental damage regardless of whether the stone is lab-grown or mined. Get a certified appraisal when you purchase, and update it every three to five years as market values shift.