The different ways to clean your diamond pendant

When one has the pleasure of owning and wearing a diamond pendant, the desire to preserve it intact is obvious. As you surely know, it is important to store it in a case where it will not clash with other jewelry and where it will be protected from dust. It is a simple gesture, but an indispensable one.

In spite of this, you will not be able to fight against the passage of time and all the aggressions to which it is exposed. Whether it is perspiration or cosmetics, it will not be without effect on your jewelry. Little by little, it will lose its brightness and dirt can even become encrusted. Of course, we recommend that you avoid wearing your diamond necklace while doing physical activity, housework or immediately after applying cream.

In any case, you will not be able to avoid the need for regular cleaning. It is therefore essential to know the different possibilities available to you for the proper care of your necklace and its pendant.

There is a golden rule: for each metal, each stone, it is essential to know the products and techniques adapted and recommended. That will be the guarantee of a satisfactory result, without any possibility of damaging your jewel. Moreover, if your necklace is damaged, we strongly advise you against all these techniques, because you would risk aggravating the situation.

Is the cleaning of the diamond pendant done with fresh soapy water? With hot or cold water?

The use of soapy water is part of the universal recommendations for most gold jewelry with or without diamonds. It is a very cheap, simple and effective solution. A small precision concerning white gold is nevertheless necessary: if it has turned yellow, you will have to be directed towards other solutions. We will discuss them later in a paragraph dedicated to it.

Concerning the procedure to follow for cleaning with soapy water, here is the information you need.

Simply use a classic hand soap, such as Marseille soap, or a few drops of dishwashing liquid that you will dilute in a bowl of hot water. Warm water is more appropriate because it makes it easier to dilute the soap and degreases better than cold water. Be careful with the temperature, it is not a question of boiling your jewelry! You must be able to soak your finger in water without fear of burning it.

Once this little bath is ready, you can let your diamond solitaire pendant soak for example for about 30 minutes. The next step will be to brush your jewelry with a small brush with soft bristles. You can simply use a toothbrush.

To finish, rinse with clear water and then wipe with a soft, fiber-free cloth. We would like to point out that paper towels are obviously prohibited.

Is there enough dishwashing liquid to make the diamond necklace shine, whether it is in white, yellow, pink or platinum gold?

Whether it's a diamond pendant in yellow, white, pink or platinum gold, the result you can get with washing-up liquid is really good. However, it is not a miracle product either, it all depends on the condition of your necklace beforehand. If it is really tarnished and has never been maintained, it may be necessary to go see a professional. The same goes for jewelry with complex construction. Cleaning at home does not remove all the dirt in all the interstices. In this situation, the use of an ultrasonic cleaner at your jeweler's or diamond dealer's is unavoidable. And as mentioned above, if your diamond necklace is made of white gold and has turned yellow, dishwashing liquid will certainly not be sufficient.

Can ammonia be used for the maintenance of the diamond pendant? Bicarbonate?

You can use ammonia for the maintenance of your diamond pendant as well as bicarbonate.

But before talking to you about its use, we remind you that ammonia is to be handled with care. It is a powerful product that should not be left within the reach of children and should be used in an area that you have protected or that is safe. We also recommend that you protect your hands to ensure your safety. Also remember to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Now let's get to the preparation that will clean your favorite jewel.

You just have to dilute 1 volume of ammonia in 3 volumes of water and let your necklace and its pendant rest for 30 minutes. Following this bath, the impurities should have come off. Nevertheless, we recommend a passage with a soft brush. This will allow to perfect the operation. Before this step, you will need to rinse your jewelry in soapy water. Once these steps have been completed, finish by rinsing with clear water and then dry with a soft cloth.

As for bicarbonate, it is also recommended by many professionals. It can replace the use of soapy water or ammonia. Simply create a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water (only a few drops). With this one, you will delicately rub your jewelry and then rinse it with clear water. You will finish as usual with a passage of soft cloth.

Now you know, it is possible to clean your diamond necklace at home. Nevertheless, the call to a professional remains a significant and sometimes indispensable option; we will explain why.

Use a diamond dealer or a jeweler to take care of the diamond pendant.

Using the care of a professional will always remain the safest way to clean your diamond pendant thanks to his expertise. It is truly complementary to all the care you will perform at home.

First advantage, your diamond dealer or jeweler will know how to identify and repair any possible fragility of your jewel before cleaning it safely.

Then, he will have all the necessary products and tools to give your necklace a new lease of life. The use of an ultrasonic machine is sometimes the necessary step for a complete cleaning. It may also be necessary to polish the jewel. A whole range of tools and techniques that we do not have at home.

And by using a professional, you will also be entitled to valuable advice for the regular maintenance of your necklace.

Is it necessary to buy a special product to keep its shine? An ultrasonic cleaner to clean the diamond necklace?

On the market, there are now all kinds of special products to keep your jewelry shiny. Nevertheless, certain compositions are to be avoided with certain materials and it would be a pity to damage your necklace. Not to mention the possible dubious origins of certain products that can be found on the internet. Unfortunately, although the internet makes shopping easier, you may also be fooled. Considering the value of your diamond necklace, we prefer to avoid any disappointment. This is why we do not recommend that you use a special product without the advice of a professional.

As for the ultrasonic cleaners, these machines have proven themselves and are used by jewelers. But here again, we invite you to be careful not to damage your jewelry. And in all objectivity, it is useless to necessarily invest in such a machine when we know that simple Marseille soap is enough in most cases. The passage in an ultrasonic chamber is really for specific or very dirty jewels. Above all, try simple methods and if you really can't recover the shine of your jewelry, take it to a professional.

Our tips for cleaning a yellowed white gold pendant

As mentioned above, white gold is a special case. Its much appreciated color is the result of an alloy: yellow gold mixed with other metals. Currently, most white gold jewelry is covered by a thin layer of rhodium. It is this last one which confers on your jewel this "white" aspect. But like any thin layer exposed to the hazards of everyday life, it fades with time. This is why you see appearing over the years the color yellow.

If your white gold pendant has reached a stage where it has really yellowed, no matter how much cleaning you do, its original color will not return. In this situation, if you really want to return to its "white" color, only a professional can bring your jewel back to its original state. He will then proceed to what is called a "re-rhodium plating" which is simply a new application of rhodium.

It is advisable to perform this treatment every 4/5 years. Why not more frequently? Because for each "re-rhodium plating", your jeweler will have to polish your necklace before applying the new layer of rhodium. And who says polishing says disappearance of a thin layer of metal. This is why you cannot repeat this operation too often.

How often should I clean my diamond pendant?

While you understand the importance of cleaning your diamond pendant regularly, the question of how often to clean it logically comes to you. We will answer this question.

Clean your diamond necklace once every two weeks to keep the shine.

The sources of soiling of your jewelry being numerous, it is essential to clean it regularly. This regularity will really enable you to preserve its brightness and its glare on the long term. We thus recommend you a cleaning every 15 days.

It is of course the cleaning which you can carry out at home, whether it is with soapy water, with the dish-washing product or even baking soda. In short, nothing complicated! As we said above, the passage at the professional is complementary.

If you manage to integrate this simple maintenance gesture into your routine, it will really be a good thing for your diamond necklace and its shine. You can only be satisfied to preserve your jewelry in its almost original state.

Is the cleaning time the same for all gold and gemstone pendants?

Regarding the cleaning time, it is similarly the same for all gold pendants as well as for diamonds. But beware of precious stones! Some of them should absolutely not be soaked in water, because they are porous and soft (pearls, amber, etc.). What will work for one will be prohibited for the other, so don't go into a blind gemstone cleaning!

As always, seeking professional advice before doing your first cleaning is essential. This is really the step you can't afford to ignore.

If I clean it too much, can I damage or attack the diamond necklace?

This may seem like a silly question, but when you start the good habit of cleaning your necklace, the temptation to do it a little too often could arise for some of us. That's when this question may arise.

On the side of the diamond, it does not risk much: diamond is the hardest gemstone in the world! It should therefore withstand a lot of cleaning. However, its point of weakness remains its setting (which holds it in place) because it can become brittle. Cleaning within the framework of this fragility thus carries a risk of damaging your jewelry.

We therefore advise you not to give in to the temptation to clean your jewel too often, at the risk of seeing it deteriorate.

As for gold, there is no need to clean it too often. As mentioned above, a simple cleaning with soapy water every two weeks will be more than enough.

You are now in possession of all the necessary information to take care of your diamond necklace. Do not hesitate to contact us directly if there are still questions that we have not answered.

For more information about the diamond necklace, do not hesitate to consult our sections How to buy a diamond pendant? and Why buy a diamond necklace?