Diamonds are as strong as they are beautiful. But though diamonds are one of the most durable substances on earth, they’re not impervious to getting dirty. Over time and with regular wear, all diamonds will get coated in oil (from our skin) or dirt (from the outside world). The film that can cover a diamond is often hard to detect— until you notice your diamond’s just not sparkling like it used to. Luckily, a dulled diamond can easily be brought back to life with a little TLC. Wondering how to keep your diamonds sparkling? Read on to see our full guide!

Clean Your Diamond At Home

So many things can cause build up on the outside of a diamond. Things like our skin’s oil, lotion, conditioner, dirt, and dust can all cling to a diamond, making it look dull and dimming its brilliance. Luckily, this build up can be reduced with regular at home cleanings.

To clean your diamond at home, you can use jewelry cleaner or just some mild dish soap and warm water. To do the dish soap method, place a bit of gentle dish soap in a bowl of warm water, then let your diamond jewelry soak in the bowl for around 15 minutes. After your jewelry has finished soaking, remove it from the bowl and gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush. Finally, rinse your jewelry (remember not to do this over an open drain) and then pat it dry.

Note: When you clean your diamond jewelry at home, don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your ring. It’s hard to damage a diamond but it’s certainly not impossible. Also, precious metals like gold are actually quite delicate and can be easily scratched or damaged by abrasive or harsh chemicals. So, for at-home cleanings, gentle cleaners are always best.

Get Your Diamond Professionally Cleaned

On top of regularly cleaning your diamond jewelry at home, you should have your jewelry professionally cleaned. How often? A good rule of thumb is get frequently worn jewelry (like engagement rings or your favorite pair of diamond studs) professionally cleaned once every six months.

A professional cleaning can get your diamond jewelry much cleaner than any at home method. Plus, the jeweler who does your cleaning will inspect your jewelry for any sign of loosening settings, which will help keep your diamonds securely in place over time.

Don’t Wear Your Diamond When It Could Get Damaged or Excessively Dirty

Finally, to reduce how often you’ll need to clean your diamond jewelry, consider taking it off when you do activities where it could get dirty or damaged. Some examples of times you may want to take off your diamond jewelry include when you shower, when you go in a chlorine-filled pool, when you use chemicals to clean your home, and when you work out or play sports.