The Complete Guide to Cleaning Lab-Grown Diamonds & Gold Jewelry

The Gentle Soap Soak (Your Go-To Method)

This is my favorite method for most people because it's safe, effective, and uses stuff you already have at home.

What you'll need:

• Mild dish soap (Dawn works great)
• Warm water (not hot, around 100°F)
• Soft-bristled toothbrush (clean, obviously)
• Lint-free cloth or paper towels

The 5-step process:

1. Mix your solution: Add 2-3 drops of mild dish soap to a cup of warm water
2. Soak for 10-15 minutes: Let your jewelry sit in the solution
3. Gentle brushing: Use the soft toothbrush to work around prongs and behind the stone
4. Rinse thoroughly: Use clean warm water, soap residue is sparkle's enemy
5. Pat dry: Never rub or wipe aggressively; pat with a lint-free cloth

Tip: Do this over a towel-lined sink. Trust me on this one.

The Cocktail Glass Ultrasonic Hack

Don't have a fancy ultrasonic cleaner? Here's a clever workaround that actually works pretty well.

Fill a small glass with your soap solution, drop in your jewelry, then place that glass inside a larger bowl filled with warm water. The vibrations from gently tapping the outer bowl create mini ultrasonic-like action. It's not as powerful as professional equipment, but it helps loosen stubborn grime.

Choosing Non-Abrasive Jewelry Cleaners

If you want to buy a commercial cleaner, look for ones specifically labeled "diamond-safe" and "gold-safe." Avoid anything that says "silver cleaner" or contains ammonia if you have white gold pieces. Because these can damage the rhodium plating.

My rule of thumb: if the cleaner doesn't specifically mention diamonds and gold together, skip it.

Ultrasonic Cleaning: The Heavy Artillery

Professional ultrasonic cleaners are incredibly effective, but they're not magic. They use high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles that knock dirt loose from every tiny crevice.

When ultrasonic makes sense:

• Your jewelry hasn't been cleaned in months
• You notice buildup behind the stone
• DIY methods aren't cutting it anymore

How often? Every 3-4 months for pieces you wear daily, or twice a year for special occasion jewelry.

Important note: Some settings with delicate prongs might not be good candidates for ultrasonic cleaning. A professional can assess this.

Steam Cleaning: For the Really Stubborn Stuff

Steam cleaning uses high-temperature vapor to blast away grime. It's incredibly effective but should really be left to professionals, the equipment gets extremely hot and requires proper handling.

Gemologist Inspections: Your Insurance Policy

While your jewelry is getting professionally cleaned, have the gemologist check your prongs and settings. Loose prongs are way more common than people realize, and catching them early can prevent losing your stone.

I recommend professional cleaning and inspection every 6 months for engagement rings and other pieces worn daily.

How to clean gold jewelry with diamonds​?

Here's where things get tricky. Gold and diamonds have different cleaning needs, especially if your gold is plated (like white gold with rhodium plating).

The Two-Phase Soak Method

Phase 1 - Gold Focus (2-3 minutes):

• Use a slightly more diluted soap solution
• Focus on the metal parts, avoiding the diamond initially
• This prevents any metal-specific cleaners from affecting the stone

Phase 2 - Diamond Deep Clean (10-15 minutes):

• Switch to the standard diamond cleaning solution
• Now focus on the stone and its setting
• Use your soft brush around the diamond and prongs

Gentle Brushing Techniques That Won't Scratch

The right brush matters: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, not medium or firm. Baby toothbrushes work even better.

Brushing angles:

• Brush away from prongs, not toward them
• Use circular motions on the diamond's surface
• Get behind the stone where grime loves to hide

For gold bands: Brush with the grain of any textured surfaces, not against it.

Safe Polishing Cloths: The Right Tool for Each Job

Keep two separate polishing cloths: one for gold, one for diamonds. Mixing them can transfer residues that dull your stones.

For gold: Use cloths specifically designed for your gold type (yellow, white, rose) 

For diamonds: Microfiber cloths work great and won't scratch.