Cloudy diamond jewelry looks tired fast, and lotion, soap, and everyday grime settle right where the sparkle should be. This simple homemade diamond cleaner handles that buildup with a quick soak, a gentle scrub, and a final buff so your hard stones look bright again (because dingy diamonds never exactly whisper elegance).
Making your own costs very little compared to many store-bought jewelry cleaners. Using current Walmart pricing, 1 teaspoon Dawn, 1 teaspoon clear ammonia, and a small amount of rubbing alcohol works out to just a few cents per cleaning, while commercial jewelry cleaners often cost several dollars per bottle. It also lets you control the strength and skip added fragrance or extras you may not want.
You only need 3 materials for this cleaner: Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent, ammonia, and rubbing alcohol. The method uses a small bowl or cup for soaking, plus an old toothbrush for cleaning around the stones. The original method cleans jewelry by soaking first, then brushing, rinsing, and finishing with rubbing alcohol.
- 🧰 Materials You'll Need
- 🔧 Tools & Equipment
- 🛠️ How to Clean Diamond Jewelry
- 🛠️ How to Use It
- 🎨 Customization Ideas
- 🛡️ Safety Information
- 📦 Storage
- 💸 Cost Breakdown
- 🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Diamond Cleaner
- 📌 Love this Diamond Cleaner? Pin it!
- 🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Diamond Cleaner
Materials You’ll Need
- 1 tsp Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent
- 1 tsp ammonia
- Rubbing alcohol
Tools & Equipment
- Small bowl or cup for mixing and soaking
- Old toothbrush
How to Clean Diamond Jewelry
- Blend the Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and ammonia in a small bowl or cup.
- Soak the jewelry in the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Using an old toothbrush, gently clean in between and around the stones.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Place the item in rubbing alcohol and gently buff clean.
This is for hard stones/Diamonds.
How to Use It
Use this cleaner when your diamond jewelry looks dull from ordinary buildup. The short soak helps loosen residue so the toothbrush can reach around the setting and between the stones more effectively.
If you need a cleaner for other jewelry types, take a look at Gold Jewelry Cleaner or Fabulous Jewelry Cleaner for more Budget101 options.
Customization Ideas
- For a single ring: Mix a very small batch so you do not waste materials.
- For earrings or smaller pieces: Use a smaller cup so the jewelry stays fully submerged during the soak.
- For regular touch-ups: Clean with the toothbrush gently around the setting to remove fresh buildup before it gets packed in.
Safety Information
This cleaner is for hard stones/Diamonds only.
Will Damage SOFT jewels such as pearls. Pearls are easily scratched and need gentler care. The Gemological Institute of America recommends warm, soapy water for occasional cleaning and notes that pearls should be handled carefully and kept away from damaging chemicals. See GIA’s pearl care and cleaning guide here.
If your jewelry includes soft, porous, treated, filled, or unknown stones, skip this cleaner until you confirm what the stones are. When in doubt, clean only the metal with a soft cloth or ask a jeweler before soaking the piece.
Storage
Mix this cleaner when you plan to use it rather than making a large batch. Keep the materials tightly closed in their original containers and out of reach of children and pets.
Cost Breakdown
Using current Walmart pricing, the consumable cost for one cleaning is very low:
- Dawn Ultra, 18 fl oz at $2.94 equals about $0.03 per teaspoon
- Clear ammonia, 64 fl oz at $2.12 equals about $0.01 per teaspoon
- Rubbing alcohol, 32 fl oz at $2.96 equals about $0.05 per tablespoon
That puts one use of this cleaner at roughly $0.09 or less, depending on how much rubbing alcohol you use for the final dip and buff. Prices vary by store and region, of course.
🛍️ Need Help Finding Everything?
- Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 18 fl oz
- Great Value Clear Ammonia All-Purpose Cleaner, 64 fl oz
- Equate 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, 32 fl oz
- MYO Jewelry Cleaner
Frequently Asked Questions about Diamond Cleaner
No. This cleaner is not for pearls. The original method is specifically for hard stones and diamonds, and it states that it will damage soft jewels such as pearls.
Use it for hard stones and diamonds. If your piece includes soft, porous, treated, or unknown stones, don’t soak it in this mixture until you know exactly what you’re cleaning.
Soak the jewelry in the Dawn and ammonia mixture for 3 to 5 minutes. That’s the full soak time given for this cleaner.
Yes, if you want to clean in between and around the stones properly. Use an old toothbrush and scrub gently so you reach the spots where buildup likes to hide.
In this method, the rubbing alcohol is used after rinsing for the final buff clean. It works as the last step, not part of the soaking mixture.
It’s better to mix what you need when you’re ready to clean. This project only uses small amounts, so fresh small batches make more sense than storing a larger mixed container.
Check the areas around the setting again and gently brush in between the stones once more. If it still looks dull, the issue may be scratches, damage, or buildup in spots you can’t reach at home.
Use caution. Older or delicate pieces can have weaker prongs, older repairs, or mixed materials, so don’t soak them unless you’re sure the setting and stones can handle it.
Use it when your diamond jewelry looks cloudy or grimy rather than on a rigid schedule. A quick cleaning now and then usually does more good than constant fussing with it.
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Did you try this diamond cleaner? Tell us what piece you cleaned or what you learned before you tackled the job.
🖨️ Print-Friendly How-To: Diamond Cleaner
Diamond Cleaner
Equipment
Materials
- 1 tsp Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent
- 1 tsp ammonia
- Rubbing alcohol
Instructions
- Blend the Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent and ammonia.
- Soak jewelry in the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Using an old toothbrush, gently clean in between and around the stones.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Place the item in rubbing alcohol and gently buff clean.
- This is for hard stones/Diamonds.
- Will Damage SOFT jewels such as pearls.
- Estimated cost reflects consumable materials only and will vary by store and region.
