How to Care for and Maintain Your Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery

Lab-created diamonds have gained popularity in recent years, as they are beautiful, affordable, and produced without harming the earth. These diamonds are equally stunning and durable as their mined counterparts, but they need regular care to keep them sparkling. This guide covers the best tips for caring and maintaining lab-grown diamond jewellery from everyday cleaning grooves to proper storage methods.

Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds

Understanding that lab-grown diamonds have identical physical and chemical properties to natural diamonds is vital before we get into care practices. Both are made of pure carbon in a crystalline structure, making both the hardest material on the Mohs hardness scale.  However, despite their durability, lab-grown diamonds are still susceptible to dirt buildup, scratches, and damage if not handled properly. Good care will keep your jewellery gorgeous and sparkling for years to come.

1. Regular Cleaning: Keep Your Diamond Sparkling

Similar to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can pick up dirt, oils, and other surface impurities as time goes by, making them appear less lustrous. Having your diamonds cleaned on a regular basis allows them to shine just as bright as they did the day you purchased them.

Home Cleaning Tips:

• Mild Soap and Warm Water: In a small bowl, add some warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Put your diamond jewellery in the bowl and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Gently scrub the diamond with a soft-bristle toothbrush, paying special attention to where dirt builds up– under the stone or around the setting. Rinse the jewellery with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
• Non-Abrasive Jewelry Cleaners: Several jewellery stores provide non-abrasive jewellery cleaners that can be used on lab-grown or natural diamonds. Always read the label of the cleaner to see whether it is fit for diamonds. Do not use cleaning solutions that have harsh chemicals as this can destroy the metal setting.
• Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners at Home: Though ultrasonic cleaners are the most efficient, it may loosen stones in some situations. Unless a jeweller gave you the go ahead to use one at home, they should not be used at home.
• Professional Cleaning: Getting your lab-created diamond jewellery professionally cleaned once or twice a year is an excellent way to keep it looking as good as new. Jewellers possess special instruments and knowledge to clean your jewellery with care.

2. Safe Storage: Protect Your Jewellery from Damage

How you store your diamond jewellery significantly affects its longevity and appearance. Proper storage keeps it safe from scratches and accidental damage.

• Individual Pouches or Boxes: As hard as diamonds are, they sure can scratch other jewellery, hence it is ideal to stash them in separate soft pouches or boxes. Put each piece in its own soft pouch, or lined jewellery box so they will not make contact with each other.
• Avoid Humid Environments: Humidity leads another threat to metal settings like gold, silver or platinum as it causes tarnishing of these metals. Make sure to place your jewellery in a cool and dry area, ideally in a climate-controlled room, to protect the metal and keep your diamond looking pristine.
• Jewelry Box with Dividers: Jewellery box with dividers–If you own many diamond jewels, then a jewellery box with dividers is a great purchase. The individual compartments ensure that each piece of your jewellery is separate and safe from tangle.

3. Daily Care Tips: Avoid Chemicals and Minimise Wear

Diamonds are strong, but exposure to chemicals and rough treatment can dull their lustre and destroy the setting. Some precautions to consider when using them daily include:

• Remove Jewellery During Activities: Remove your diamond jewellery when doing exercise, gardening, or swimming. This limits the risk of chemical exposure and also eliminates the possibility of accidental spills.
• Limit Exposure to Household Chemicals: Bleach, chlorine, and household cleaning agents can destroy the metal setting or even cause some materials to lose all colour. So take off your jewellery when cleaning in dirt or using strong chemicals, as it may damage the jewellery naturally.
• Be Cautious with Cosmetics: Perfumes, lotions, and hair products often contain chemicals that can create a film on your diamonds, dulling their sparkle. Apply these products before putting on your jewellery to minimise exposure to residues

4. Regular Inspections: Check for Loose Stones and Worn Prongs

Settings can loosen with regular wear and over time, stones may fall out. Regular checks on your lab diamond jewellery will easily turn up these problems before they become a missing stone.

• Self-Inspection: Check your jewellery from time to time for signs of the stone shifting or if there is a change in the prongs holding it. Simply hold the jewellery near your ear and shake it carefully. If you do hear rattling, it could be that a stone has come loose.
• Visit a Jeweller for Inspection: Get a professional inspection once a year. You can also have a jeweller look at your diamond and assess whether the setting is firm. They can also inspect for metal wear and suggest repairs if needed.

5. Protecting Your Investment: Consider Jewellery Insurance

Diamond jewellery, whether natural or lab-grown is an investment that needs protection. Accidents happen, and having an insurance policy can help with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are covered for loss, theft or damage. Many jewellery stores offer insurance plans, or you can add a personal jewellery policy to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

When selecting insurance, ensure the policy covers lab-grown diamonds and ask about any specific requirements or appraisal documentation needed. An insurance plan tailored to your needs can help protect your valuable jewellery against unforeseen circumstances.

Conclusion

Today, lab-created diamond jewellery is a perfect combination of beauty, ethical sourcing, and affordability that consumers love. With regular maintenance and care, your lab-grown diamond jewellery can remain just as beautiful as the day you purchased it. These steps—cleaning your diamonds regularly, storing them properly, having them inspected by a professional and even getting them insured—will make sure your diamonds stay sparkling bright and safe for decades to come. Embrace the brilliance of your lab-grown diamond jewellery, and enjoy it as a timeless addition to your collection.