The short answer: a diamond that looks cloudy is usually coated in soap, lotion or skin oil, not damaged, and a soak in warm soapy water with a soft brush usually restores the sparkle. If it stays dull after cleaning, the stone or setting may need checking.
Diamonds attract grease. That is the main reason a clear stone looks hazy.
What causes cloudiness
- Soap and shampoo film.
- Hand cream and sunscreen.
- Natural skin oils.
- Dust trapped under the stone.
How to clean it
- Soak in warm water with a little mild washing up liquid.
- Brush gently around and under the stone with a soft toothbrush.
- Rinse in clean warm water, over a bowl.
- Dry with a lint free cloth.
What not to do
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Bleach | Can damage some metals and settings. |
| Abrasives | Can scratch the metal. |
| Toothpaste | Contains abrasives. |
Where the dirt hides
Most of the haze builds up underneath the stone, not on top. The underside of a diamond, the pavilion, gathers soap and oil through the open gallery of the setting, and that film stops light returning through the top. A halo, a hidden halo or a closed back can trap more, so these settings benefit from a gentle brush from below as well as above. Our guide to cleaning pave and tight settings covers fiddly designs.
Everyday habits that keep it bright
- Put hand cream and sunscreen on before the ring, and let them soak in.
- Take the ring off for washing up, cooking with oil and baking.
- Handle the ring by the band, not the stone.
- Give it a quick brush once a week rather than a deep clean once a year.
A quick check while you clean
Cleaning is a good moment to look at the setting. With the ring dry, hold it near your ear and tap it gently: a faint rattle can mean a loose stone. Look at each claw under a bright light for any that look thin or lifted. If anything seems wrong, stop wearing the ring and ask us or a local jeweller to check it.
If it is still cloudy
Cloudiness that does not clean off can mean a stone with natural inclusions, a damaged surface or, rarely, a different material. Contact us and we can talk through what to check, and we can look at photographs or video.
Colour and cloudiness
Some diamonds have a natural milky look from their internal structure. This is part of the stone, not dirt. A report describes this under clarity or fluorescence, and we help you read it. Our guides to diamond fluorescence and eye clean diamonds explain what to look for when choosing a stone.
Why oil sticks to diamonds
Diamonds have a surface that attracts grease, which is one reason jewellers handle them with care. A fingerprint on the top of a stone is enough to reduce its sparkle, so it is worth cleaning a ring before a special occasion and handling it by the band.
Lab grown and natural
Lab grown and natural diamonds are cleaned the same way. Browse diamonds and lab grown colourless diamonds.
Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See hand cream, sunscreen and the film on your ring and why stones look cloudy.
Frequently asked questions
Can a diamond lose its sparkle? It can look dull when dirty.
Is steam cleaning safe? Ask a jeweller first.
How often should I clean it? Weekly is common.
Why is the underside the dirtiest part? Soap and oil collect under the stone through the setting and block light.
Can I send photos for advice? Yes, clear photographs or a short video help.