How to Clean Diamond Earrings (and Keep Them Sparkling for a Lifetime)

Your diamond earrings, be they natural diamonds, lab-grown, or moissanite, deserve to shine. Over time, oils, skin residues, lotion, hairspray, dust, and environmental pollutants dull their brilliance. Cleaning them safely is the art of restoring sparkle without harming the metal setting or the stone.

In this post, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, cautions, best practices, and tips to maintain your earrings. Plus, you’ll get to know why Solomon & Co.’s diamond jewelry is worth caring for.

Why Cleaning Diamond Earrings Matters

• Diamonds (and moissanite) attract oils, dirt, and microscopic debris, which reduce light return and sparkle. According to expert sources, cleaning with dish soap, warm water, and a soft brush is safe and effective.
• Residue buildup in prong settings, halo edges, or micro-pavé details can trap grime that’s hard to remove unless cleaned periodically.
• Neglect can lead to loosening of settings; small stones can fall out unnoticed.
• For premium brands like Solomon & Co., where craftsmanship and quality matter, maintaining brilliance underscores the value of your investment.

Understanding the Stones: Natural, Lab-Grown & Moissanite Diamonds

Before cleaning, you should know what you’re working with:

Because Solomon & Co. offers all three types, you can use one cleaning method for all (with some caution), the same gentle approach works across them.

Materials You’ll Need

Gather these before you begin:

1. Warm water (not boiling)
2. Mild, unscented dish soap (no bleach, no moisturizers, no harsh chemicals)
3. Small bowl
4. Soft-bristled toothbrush (ideally a baby toothbrush or jewelry cleaning brush)
5. A strainer or small fine-mesh sieve (so earrings don’t slip down the drain)
6. Lint-free soft cloth or microfiber jewelry cloth
7. (Optional) Jewelry cleaning solution (that is safe for diamond/stone settings)
8. (Optional) Jewelry polishing cloth for the metal bits

Step-by-Step to Clean Diamond Earrings at Home

Here’s a gentle, effective method:

1. Inspect the Earrings First

• Before you plunge them into liquid, examine each earring for loose stones, bent prongs, or damage. If anything feels off, take them to a professional jeweler before cleaning.

2. Prepare the Soaking Solution

• Fill a bowl with warm (not hot) water.
• Add a few drops of mild, unscented dish soap.
• Stir gently to create a light soapy solution.
• Avoid strong cleaners with ammonia or bleach.

3. Soak the Earrings

• Place the earrings in the bowl and let them soak for 15–30 minutes (longer if heavily soiled).
• The soak loosens oil, dust, and buildup.

4. Gently Brush

• After soaking, use your soft-bristled toothbrush to carefully clean:
  • The surfaces of the stones
  • The prongs, clasps, backs
  • The underside of the stones
• Use gentle strokes; do not tug or apply pressure.
• Be especially careful in fine or micro settings.

5. Rinse Thoroughly

• Rinse under warm running water (or through a strainer) to wash off soap residue.
• Make sure no soap is left behind, as residue dulls the sparkle.

6. Dry with Care

• Pat dry using a lint-free, soft cloth.
• Then let them air-dry fully before storing or wearing.
• Avoid paper towels, as they can scratch.

7. (Optional) Polish the Metal

• After the stones are dry, you may use a gentle polishing cloth on the metal parts (gold, platinum, etc.), avoiding the gemstone surfaces.

What to Avoid & Common Mistakes

• Harsh chemicals or cleaners (e.g., bleach, strong acids, hydrogen peroxide) can damage metals or stone coatings.
• Abrasive tools or rough brushes can scratch metal or settings.
• Ultrasonic cleaners should be used with caution. They can loosen vulnerable settings or damage clarity-enhanced stones.
• Steam cleaners may also pose a risk for certain settings.
• Skipping the inspection step, if a stone is already loose, cleaning might make it fall out.
• Cleaning over an open sink is risky; always use a strainer or plug the drain.

How Often Should You Clean Your Diamond Earrings?

• For earrings you wear frequently, cleaning once every 2–4 weeks is a good practice.
• Less frequently worn pieces can be cleaned every few months, or before special occasions.
• Take your earrings to a professional jeweler once or twice a year for deep cleaning and inspection of settings.

Tips to Keep Earrings Sparkling Longer

• Remove earrings before applying lotion, perfume, hairspray, or cosmetics.
• Store separately in a soft pouch or compartmentalized jewelry box to prevent scratches.
• Avoid wearing during activities such as swimming, exercising, or house cleaning.
• Regularly inspect your earrings to catch any loose parts early.
• Polish gently occasionally to maintain the luster of metal settings.
• Avoid extreme temperatures (steer clear of saunas, hot tubs, etc.) which may stress metal.

Why Choose Solomon & Co. Diamond Earrings?

When it comes to crafting exceptional earrings, Solomon & Co. stands out.

Here's what makes their products worth the care:

1. Premium Quality & Craftsmanship
   Each piece at Solomon & Co. is meticulously crafted with attention to prong settings, symmetry, and finish, ensuring long-term durability.
2. Range of Stone Options
   • Natural Diamonds, timeless, classic, and prized for their naturally formed brilliance.
   • Lab-Grown Diamonds, offering the same sparkle as natural ones, at a more sustainable and often cost-effective choice.
   • Moissanite, a brilliant, high-refractive-index gemstone that rivals diamond sparkle, especially in well-cut settings.
3. Ethical & Transparent Sourcing
   Solomon & Co. emphasizes traceability and ethical sourcing, especially for natural diamonds, giving you peace of mind.
4. Design Variety & Versatility
   The earrings range from classic solitaires to intricate halo and pavé designs, making them suitable for every style, whether for daily wear or special occasions.
5. Support & After-Sales Care
   Many Solomon & Co. pieces may come with service guarantees, cleaning or inspection services, and warranty support.

Because the pieces are investments in beauty and craftsmanship, proper cleaning ensures they retain value, brilliance, and structural integrity.

Conclusion

Cleaning diamond earrings is not complicated. With warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush, you can restore much of the sparkle all by yourself. Just be gentle, patient, and consistent for Solomon & Co. pieces, whether natural diamond, lab-grown, or moissanite, the handcraftsmanship and premium materials deserve the care. Following the guidelines above will help you keep your earrings shining brilliantly for years to come.

FAQs

1. Can you use an ultrasonic cleaner for Solomon & Co. diamond earrings?
Use caution. If the setting is robust and the stones are not clarity-enhanced, an ultrasonic may be okay if recommended by the brand. But avoid use when settings are delicate or stones have treatments. A safer bet is the soap + brush method.

2. Can you use jewelry cleaning solutions bought at stores?
Yes, but ensure the solution is explicitly safe for diamonds, moissanite, and your type of metal. Avoid ones with harsh acids or abrasives.

3. Is there any difference in cleaning lab-grown vs natural diamonds?
No, chemically they’re the same. The same cleaning guidelines apply to both.

4. Should you remove earrings before soaking them?
Always remove them. Cleaning while on might cause accidental damage or soap entering the ear components.

5. What if, after cleaning, they still look dull?
That may indicate a deeper buildup or need for professional cleaning/steam/inspection at a jeweler.

6. How do you tell if a stone is loose or a prong is damaged?
Gently tap near the stone and see if it moves slightly; view under bright light for light leakage; also, inspect prongs for bent or worn spots. If anything looks off, stop cleaning at home and consult a professional jeweler.

7. How to clean diamond earrings at home?

• Mix warm water and mild dish soap (like Dawn) in a bowl.
• Soak the earrings for 15–20 minutes.
• Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

8. Can you use Dawn dish soap to clean diamond earrings?

Yes, Dawn dish soap is safe for cleaning diamond earrings. Just make sure it's diluted in warm water.

9. What is the best thing to clean diamonds with?

A mixture of warm water and mild dish soap is the best, or you can use a jewelry cleaner specifically made for diamonds.

10. What should you not use to clean diamonds?

• Harsh chemicals like bleach or chlorine.
• Abrasive cloths or brushes that can scratch the surface.
• Toothpaste (too abrasive).

11. How to clean diamond earrings with baking soda?

• Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
• Apply the paste gently with a soft cloth or brush.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry.

12. How to clean diamond earrings with alcohol?

• Soak the earrings in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes.
• Gently scrub with a soft brush.
• Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

13. How to clean diamond earrings with vinegar?

• Mix equal parts vinegar and water.
• Soak the earrings for a few minutes.
• Gently brush with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and dry.