Your lab grown diamond jewelry deserves to look the way it did the day you brought it home. The good news: keeping it that way is simple. With nothing more than warm water, mild dish soap, a soft brush, and ten minutes a week, you can preserve your diamond's full brilliance for a lifetime. This guide walks you through exactly how — at home and at the jeweler — and what to avoid so you never accidentally damage a piece you love.
Last updated: April 2026 by the Mohana Jewels editorial team.
Why lab grown diamonds need regular cleaning
Lab grown diamonds share the exact same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds — including their tendency to attract oils, lotions, sunscreen, and everyday grime. These invisible films build up on the diamond's surface and inside its facets, dulling the sparkle that makes diamonds so brilliant in the first place.
If you've ever noticed your lab grown diamond engagement ring looking duller than usual after a few weeks of wear, that's not the diamond — it's the film. A proper cleaning will bring the fire back instantly.
Because lab grown diamonds rate a perfect 10 on the Mohs hardness scale (the same as mined diamonds), the diamond itself is virtually impossible to damage during normal cleaning. The risk lies almost entirely with the metal setting — gold, platinum, or rhodium-plated white gold — and any prongs holding the stone in place.
How to clean lab grown diamond jewelry at home (step by step)
The single best home cleaning method for any lab grown diamond piece — engagement ring, wedding band, earrings, pendant — is also the gentlest. Here's the routine we recommend at Mohana Jewels:
The 4-step soap and water method
- Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and add 2-3 drops of unscented, dye-free dish soap. Avoid scented or moisturizing dish soaps — the added ingredients can leave a film.
- Soak your diamond jewelry for 15-20 minutes. This loosens any oils, lotion residue, and dirt without scrubbing.
- Gently brush around and under the diamond with a soft, clean toothbrush. Pay extra attention to the back of the stone — that's where buildup hides and where it most affects sparkle, since light enters and exits through the back of the diamond.
- Rinse under clean running water (close the drain first, just in case) and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. A microfiber polishing cloth works beautifully.
This works for engagement rings, wedding bands, lab grown diamond earrings, pendants, and tennis bracelets. It takes about ten minutes, and you can do it weekly to keep your jewelry looking effortlessly bright.
What about ammonia, vodka, or commercial jewelry cleaners?
You'll find a lot of cleaning advice online suggesting ammonia solutions, vodka, or jewelry-specific cleaners. Here's an honest take on each:
Ammonia (1 part ammonia to 6 parts water) works well for clean, untreated lab grown diamonds in solid prong settings. Avoid it for fracture-filled diamonds, halo settings with smaller stones, antique pieces, or jewelry containing softer colored gemstones. Ammonia can also dull rhodium plating on white gold over time.
Vodka (or any clear alcohol) works because alcohol dissolves oils. It's not magic — any clear, unflavored alcohol does the same job. It's an okay emergency option but offers no advantage over warm soapy water for routine cleaning.
Commercial jewelry cleaners are convenient but vary wildly in quality. Avoid any that contain bleach, chlorine, acetone, or abrasive particles. If you use one, look for "ammonia-free" formulations specifically labeled safe for diamonds and gold or platinum settings.
Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on my lab grown diamond ring?
Most lab grown diamonds in standard prong, bezel, or solitaire settings can safely be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner. The high-frequency sound waves shake loose grime that brushes can't reach.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaning if your piece has any of the following: fracture-filled diamonds (rare in lab grown but possible in some imports), pavé settings with very small accent stones that can vibrate loose, antique heirloom settings, or treated colored gemstones paired with the diamond. When in doubt, hand-clean it instead.
Things to never use on lab grown diamond jewelry
Even though lab grown diamonds themselves are extraordinarily durable, the metal setting and any plating can be damaged by harsh substances. Avoid:
- Bleach and chlorine — corrode gold alloys and pit platinum over time. Take rings off before swimming pools or hot tubs.
- Acetone, nail polish remover, and harsh solvents — strip rhodium plating from white gold, leaving it dull and yellowish.
- Toothpaste — contrary to old advice, toothpaste contains mild abrasives that can scratch softer metals like gold and silver.
- Baking soda — abrasive enough to leave fine scratches on gold and platinum.
- Harsh dish detergents with citrus or bleach additives — can pit gold and dull plating.
How often should you clean your lab grown diamond engagement ring?
For everyday-wear pieces like an engagement ring or wedding band, a quick weekly cleaning keeps brilliance high. Once a month, do a deeper soak. And every six to twelve months, take it to a professional jeweler for an ultrasonic cleaning, prong inspection, and re-polishing if needed.
This professional check matters more than people realize. A jeweler can spot worn or lifted prongs before they release the diamond — far cheaper than replacing a lost stone. If you have any concerns about a Mohana Jewels piece, reach out to our team and we'll guide you on the best next step.
How to store lab grown diamond jewelry properly
Cleaning is half the equation. Storage is the other half. Diamonds — including lab grown — are the hardest natural substance on earth, which means a diamond can scratch any other gemstone (and even other diamonds). Store carelessly, and your beautiful pieces will quietly damage each other.
Follow these basic storage rules:
- Each piece in its own pouch or compartment. Soft anti-tarnish pouches or a divided jewelry box work well. Don't pile rings, earrings, and necklaces together in a single bowl.
- Keep diamonds away from softer gemstones like opals, pearls, emeralds, and tanzanite. A loose diamond ring in the same pouch as a pearl pendant will scratch the pearl.
- Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity extremes. A bathroom counter is the worst place — moisture, hairspray, and perfume residue all build up.
- For travel: use a small zip-pocket travel jewelry case with foam dividers. Never wrap diamond jewelry in tissue or paper towels — fibers cling to settings and lint inside prongs is hard to remove.
Special care for specific lab grown diamond pieces
Engagement rings
Take it off before lotion, sunscreen, gardening, dishwashing without gloves, or any heavy lifting that could knock the setting against hard surfaces. Most "loose stones" we see at the bench started as a single hard knock against a counter or steering wheel.
Wedding bands and pavé bands
Pavé settings with small accent diamonds need extra-gentle handling — those tiny stones are held by hair-thin prongs. Hand-clean only, never ultrasonic, and have the bead settings inspected yearly.
Diamond earrings and pendants
Easier to maintain because they don't take the daily abuse of a ring. A monthly soak and a quick wipe with a polishing cloth between cleanings is usually enough. Browse the full Mohana Jewels diamond earrings collection for examples.
Tennis bracelets
Examine the safety latch and individual links every few months. The repeated bending of the chain can wear settings faster than you'd expect.
When to skip home cleaning entirely
Take your piece directly to a jeweler — and don't try to clean it yourself first — if any of the following apply:
- You can hear the diamond rattling or feel it shift when you tap the setting
- A prong looks lifted, bent, or worn flat
- You see a chip in the diamond (rare with diamonds, but possible at the girdle)
- The piece is antique or contains other treated gemstones you're unsure about
- The metal has visible damage, deep scratches, or has lost its rhodium plating
For Mohana Jewels customers, our team is always available to advise on whether a piece needs professional attention. Learn more about our craftsmanship or reach out to our team with any concerns.
The bottom line
Lab grown diamond jewelry needs almost nothing to stay beautiful: warm water, a drop of mild soap, a soft brush, and ten minutes a week. The metal setting is what actually needs your attention — store pieces individually, keep them away from chlorine and harsh chemicals, and have a jeweler inspect prongs once a year. Do this, and your lab grown diamonds will sparkle exactly the way they did the day you opened the box, decades from now.
Looking for a new lab grown diamond piece to add to your collection? Explore our best-selling lab grown diamond jewelry or browse our complete engagement ring collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean lab grown diamond jewelry the same way as mined?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds have identical chemical and physical properties to mined diamonds, so the same cleaning methods work. Warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft brush are all you need for weekly maintenance.
What's the safest way to clean a lab grown diamond ring at home?
Soak the ring in warm water with a few drops of unscented dish soap for 15–20 minutes. Gently brush around and under the diamond with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with clean water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.
Can I use ultrasonic cleaners on lab grown diamond jewelry?
Most lab grown diamonds in standard prong settings can safely use ultrasonic cleaners. Avoid them for fracture-filled diamonds, halo settings with smaller stones, or pieces with treated colored gemstones.
How often should I clean my lab grown diamond engagement ring?
Light cleaning weekly will keep brilliance high. Deep clean monthly. Take it to a jeweler for professional ultrasonic cleaning and inspection every 6–12 months to check the prongs.
What products should I never use on lab grown diamond jewelry?
Avoid bleach, chlorine, acetone, and harsh abrasive cleaners — they can damage gold and platinum settings. Never use toothpaste, which can scratch softer metals.