A lab-grown diamond has the same chemical composition and crystal structure as a mined diamond, and it rates 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. That hardness makes the stone itself very difficult to scratch, but it does not make your jewelry maintenance-free. Lotion and skin oils dull the sparkle, prongs in engagement rings and clasps in bracelets and earrings wear with daily use, and gold settings can scratch and bend.
Good lab-grown diamond care comes down to three habits: clean your pieces regularly, store them so they cannot damage each other, and insure the ones you would want replaced. This guide covers all three.
The short answer: Clean lab-grown diamond jewelry in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap and a soft brush, then dry it with a lint-free cloth. Avoid chlorine, bleach, and abrasives. Store each piece separately in a lined compartment or soft pouch. Insure valuable pieces with a scheduled rider or standalone jewelry policy, supported by your receipt, grading report, and a current appraisal.
Why Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Still Needs Care
Three things work against a diamond's appearance and security over time.
- Diamonds attract oil. A diamond's surface readily picks up skin oils, soap residue, lotion, and hairspray. A thin film on the underside of the stone blocks light from entering and returning, which is why a ring can look dull within days of cleaning.
- Hard is not the same as unbreakable. Hardness measures scratch resistance. A sharp knock at the wrong angle can still chip a diamond, especially at a thin edge or point.
- The setting is softer than the stone. Lockstone Jewels pieces are made in 14K and 18K gold in yellow, white, and rose tones, depending on the design. Gold is far softer than diamond, and 18K gold, with its higher gold content, is softer than 14K. Prongs thin, bend, and loosen with wear.
Do Lab-grown Diamonds Get Cloudy?
A diamond does not turn cloudy with age. When a lab-grown diamond looks hazy, the cause is almost always buildup on its surface, and cleaning restores the brightness. The internal characteristics graded under clarity are formed when the diamond grows and do not develop later.
How to Clean Lab-grown Diamond Jewelry at Home?
You do not need special equipment. GIA notes that diamonds can be cleaned safely with lint-free cloths, commercial jewelry cleaning solutions, and household detergents.
- Prepare a bowl. Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a few drops of mild, dye-free dish soap.
- Soak. Leave the piece in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes to loosen oil and residue.
- Brush gently. Use a new, soft-bristled toothbrush. Focus on the underside of the diamond and around the prongs, where buildup collects.
- Rinse safely. Rinse in a second bowl of clean, warm water. If you rinse at the sink, close or cover the drain first.
- Dry. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth, such as microfiber. Paper towels and tissues can leave fibers and catch on prongs.
How Often Should You Clean a Diamond Ring?
For rings worn daily, a quick soak and brush once a week keeps them bright. Earrings and pendants collect less buildup and usually need cleaning every few weeks. Tennis bracelets benefit from regular cleaning because residue can settle between links.
GIA also describes an overnight soak in an ammonia-based household cleaner followed by brushing. If you use this method, keep it to pieces set only with diamonds in gold, and stick with mild soap for anything set with other gemstones.
What to Avoid
- Chlorine and bleach. Pool water, hot tubs, and household cleaners containing chlorine can damage and discolor gold alloys and weaken prongs over time.
- Abrasives. Toothpaste, baking soda scrubs, and powdered cleansers can scratch gold and wear down fine metalwork.
- Hard brushes and pins. Picking at buildup with a pin or stiff brush can bend prongs.
- Boiling water. Hot water adds risk without improving the result, especially for pieces with other gemstones.
Can You Put Lab-Grown Diamonds in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?
The diamond itself can handle an ultrasonic cleaner, but the setting may not. GIA advises against using ultrasonic and steam cleaners at home because vibration can loosen stones. Jewelers inspect a piece before cleaning it this way.
If you own an ultrasonic unit, check the prongs first, use short cycles, and skip pavé, micro-pavé, and pieces set with other gemstones. For most owners, a professional clean is the safer route.
Professional Cleaning and Inspection
Many jewelers suggest a professional clean and setting check at least once a year, or sooner for rings worn every day. A jeweler can tighten prongs, check clasps and earring backs, and polish out surface scratches in the metal. If your white gold piece is rhodium-plated, the plating can wear over time and can be reapplied.
Daily Habits That Protect Your Jewelry
Most damage happens during ordinary routines rather than accidents.
- Last on, first off. Put jewelry on after lotion, perfume, and hairspray, and take it off before bed.
- Remove it for hands-on tasks. Take off rings for the gym, gardening, cleaning, cooking with your hands, and moving furniture.
- Skip the pool and hot tub. Beyond chlorine, cold water can shrink fingers enough for a ring to slip off.
- Do a quick prong check. Run the ring gently over a soft sweater. If it snags, a prong may be lifting. Hold earrings or a pendant near your ear and tap lightly; a faint rattle can mean a loose stone.
- Never set rings on a sink edge. Use a ring dish or pocket when you remove a ring away from home.
How to Store Diamond Jewelry
The goal of storage is simple: keep diamonds from touching anything they can scratch, including other diamonds and gold.
- Store pieces separately. Use a jewelry box with individual fabric-lined compartments, or a soft pouch for each piece.
- Fasten clasps. Close necklace and bracelet clasps before storing to prevent tangles and kinks, and hang long chains or lay them flat.
- Keep earrings paired. Store each pair together with backs attached so nothing goes missing.
- Avoid the bathroom. Humidity, hairspray, and cleaning products make it a poor place to keep fine jewelry.
- Keep the original box. It is useful for travel and for shipping a piece back for repair.
| Piece | Storage tip |
| Engagement ring or band | Individual ring slot or pouch; never loose in a drawer with other jewelry |
| Stud and drop earrings | Paired, backs on, in a divided tray |
| Pendant and necklace | Clasp closed, hung or laid flat to avoid tangles |
| Tennis bracelet | Clasp closed, laid flat in its own compartment |
When you travel, pack jewelry in a padded travel case in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. At home, a small safe is worth considering for valuable pieces you do not wear daily.
How to Insure Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry
Yes, you can insure lab-grown diamond jewelry. Insurers cover lab-grown diamond jewelry through the same main routes as mined diamond jewelry.
| Option | How it works | Points to check |
| Standard homeowners or renters coverage | Covers jewelry as general personal property | Jewelry theft is often capped at a low amount; one consumer insurance guide cites $1,500 |
| Scheduled rider or personal articles floater | Lists each piece and its appraised value on your existing policy | Which losses are covered, deductible, documentation required |
| Standalone jewelry insurance | A separate policy just for jewelry | Worldwide coverage, loss and mysterious disappearance, replacement terms |
Questions to ask any insurer
- Does the policy cover loss and mysterious disappearance, or only theft?
- Is coverage worldwide, including travel?
- What is the deductible?
- Will a lab-grown diamond be replaced with a comparable lab-grown diamond, and can I choose the jeweler?
- Will a claim be settled by replacement or cash?
Documents to keep
- Your receipt showing the purchase price and date.
- The grading report. Many Lockstone Jewels product pages list IGI certification for the diamond; keep the report that came with your piece, along with its report number.
- An independent appraisal from an appraiser experienced with lab-grown diamonds. It should identify the diamond as lab-grown and state a replacement value.
- Clear photographs of the piece from several angles.
Update your appraisal
Lab-grown diamond prices move, and replacement values can change. Insurance sources commonly recommend updating jewelry appraisals every two to five years, with some suggesting every two to three years for lab-grown diamonds. Insuring for an outdated value can mean paying for coverage you could not claim, or being underinsured.
Warranty is not insurance.
Lockstone Jewels offers a Limited Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty. Manufacturing warranties generally address defects in materials or artistry; they are not designed to cover loss, theft, or accidental damage. Review the current warranty terms for exactly what is included, and use insurance for everything else.
Your Lab-Grown Diamond Care Checklist
- Soak and brush daily-wear rings weekly
- Remove jewelry for workouts, cleaning, swimming, and sleep
- Check prongs and clasps monthly
- Store each piece separately with clasps closed
- Book a professional clean and setting check yearly
- Keep your receipt, grading report, appraisal, and photos together
- Review your appraisal and insurance coverage every few years
FAQs
1. Can I wear my lab-grown diamond ring in the shower?
The diamond will not be harmed, but soap and shampoo leave a film that dulls sparkle, and a soapy ring can slip off. Taking it off is the better habit.
2. Do lab-grown diamonds lose their sparkle?
No. A lab-grown diamond does not fade or lose brilliance with age. Dullness comes from surface buildup and returns to normal with cleaning.
3. Can I clean lab-grown diamonds with an ultrasonic cleaner?
The diamond can handle it, but vibration can loosen stones in their settings. GIA advises against home ultrasonic and steam cleaning; have a jeweler do it after inspecting the piece.
4. If my diamond has an IGI report, do I still need an appraisal?
Usually, yes. A grading report describes the diamond's characteristics, such as carat weight, color, and clarity. It does not assign a monetary value. Insurers typically ask for an appraisal that states a replacement value.
Keep exploring
Caring for a piece starts with understanding it. Read Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?, learn how lab-grown diamonds are made and the difference between CVD and HPHT, or compare metals in platinum vs. white gold.
When you are ready, explore Lockstone Jewels' laboratory-grown diamond engagement rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets, and review the diamond details, metal options and certification information listed for each piece.