Lab-grown diamond earrings are a beautiful and sustainable choice for jewelry lovers. Like natural diamonds, these stunning gems need proper care to maintain their brilliance. This guide will help you keep your lab grown diamond earrings looking their best for years to come.
Understanding Lab-Grown Diamonds
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds created in controlled laboratory environments. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. The main difference is their origin – they’re made by scientists rather than formed deep in the earth over millions of years.
These diamonds are becoming more popular because they’re:
- Environmentally friendly
- Conflict-free
- Often more affordable than mined diamonds
- Identical in appearance to natural diamonds
Despite being created in labs, these diamonds require the same care as natural diamonds to maintain their sparkle and beauty.
Caring for Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
Everyday Habits to Protect Your Earrings
Small daily habits can make a big difference in keeping your lab-grown diamond earrings in top condition:
- Put your earrings on after applying makeup, hairspray, perfume, and lotion
- Remove earrings before showering, swimming, or exercising
- Take off your earrings before bed to prevent damage or loss
- Handle your earrings by their settings, not by the diamonds themselves
- Check the backs and settings regularly to make sure they’re secure
These simple practices help prevent damage and keep your diamonds looking their best.
Cleaning Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining the sparkle of your lab-grown diamond earrings. Here’s a simple cleaning method you can do at home:
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm (not hot) water
- Soak your earrings in the solution for about 15-20 minutes
- Gently brush the diamonds with a soft toothbrush
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Dry with a lint-free cloth
Aim to clean your earrings every two weeks for daily wear items, or monthly for occasionally worn pieces.
What to avoid when cleaning:
- Ultrasonic cleaners (unless approved by your jeweler)
- Bleach, chlorine, or harsh chemicals
- Abrasive materials that might scratch the metal setting
Professional Maintenance and Inspection
While regular at-home cleaning is important, professional care ensures your earrings stay in perfect condition:
- Have your earrings professionally cleaned twice a year
- Schedule annual inspections to check settings, prongs, and backs
- Address any issues (loose stones, bent prongs) immediately
- Ask about re-polishing if the metal setting shows wear
Professional jewelers have specialized tools and expertise to clean hard-to-reach areas and spot potential problems before they lead to damage or loss.
Storage and Travel
Storing Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings Safely
Proper storage prevents scratches, tangling, and lost earrings:
- Keep earrings in a fabric-lined jewelry box with separate compartments
- Use individual pouches or boxes for valuable pieces
- Store away from direct sunlight and humidity
- Keep separate from other jewelry to prevent scratching
- Consider a jewelry box with a locking mechanism for added security
If you don’t have a jewelry box, a small pouch or even a pill box can work for short-term storage.
Travelling with Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
When taking your precious earrings on trips:
- Pack them in a dedicated travel jewelry case
- Keep them in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags
- Wear them while traveling if they’re especially valuable
- Consider leaving very expensive pieces at home or in a safe
- Take photos of your jewelry before traveling for insurance purposes
A travel-sized jewelry roll with separate compartments is ideal for keeping earrings protected and organized during trips.
Protection and Insurance
Scratch Protection for Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
While lab-grown diamonds are extremely hard (rating 10 on the Mohs scale), their settings can be scratched:
- Be careful when your earrings come into contact with hard surfaces
- Remove earrings during activities that might damage them
- Consider settings with protective elements, like bezel settings
- Maintain awareness of your earrings when moving through tight spaces
Remember that while the diamond itself is scratch-resistant, the metal setting (gold, platinum, silver) can be scratched or dented.
Insurance for Your Lab-Grown Diamond Earrings
Protecting the value of your investment is important:
- Get your earrings appraised by a professional jeweler
- Keep the original receipt and certificate of authenticity
- Check if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers jewelry
- Consider a separate jewelry insurance policy for valuable pieces
- Take clear photos of your earrings from multiple angles
Most jewelry insurance policies cover loss, theft, damage, and sometimes mysterious disappearance of your precious items.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding Harsh Chemicals and Physical Damage
These common practices can harm your lab-grown diamond earrings:
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or saltwater with your earrings
- Wearing earrings during sports or physical activities
- Using harsh household cleaners while wearing earrings
- Spraying perfume or hairspray directly onto earrings
- Removing earrings by pulling on the diamond instead of the setting
Exposure to chemicals like chlorine can damage the metal settings over time, while physical impacts can loosen stones or bend prongs.
Conclusion
Your lab-grown diamond earrings are made to last, but proper care ensures they maintain their beautiful sparkle for generations. By following these simple care tips, you can enjoy your sustainable, ethical jewelry choice with confidence.
Remember these key points:
- Clean regularly with mild soap and water
- Store properly in fabric-lined compartments
- Remove before swimming, showering, or sleeping
- Schedule professional cleanings and inspections
- Consider insurance for valuable pieces
With proper care, your lab-grown diamond earrings will continue to shine brilliantly, bringing joy and beauty to your life for many years to come.
