# Diamond Durability & Longevity FAQ

## Do diamonds last forever?

**Direct Answer:** Yes — diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth and are effectively indestructible under normal conditions, making them the ideal stone for heirloom and everyday jewelry.

-   Rated 10/10 on the Mohs hardness scale — no natural material is harder
-   Resistant to scratching by any other natural material
-   Will not degrade, tarnish, or chemically deteriorate over time
-   Lab-grown diamonds are equally durable — identical hardness and structure

## Can diamonds break or chip?

**Direct Answer:** Yes — while diamonds cannot be scratched by other materials, they can chip or break if struck sharply at the right angle, because hardness and toughness are different properties.

-   **Hardness (scratch resistance):** 10/10 — no material scratches a diamond
-   **Toughness (impact resistance):** Good, but not perfect — sharp blows can cause chipping
-   Corners and points (princess, marquise, pear cuts) are most vulnerable to chipping
-   A bezel or V-tip prong setting protects vulnerable edges on pointed cuts

## Do diamonds scratch?

**Direct Answer:** No — only another diamond can scratch a diamond. No metal, gemstone, or surface encountered in daily life will scratch a diamond.

-   Diamonds are the hardest natural substance (Mohs 10)
-   No metal, gemstone, or surface in daily life will scratch a diamond
-   Store diamond jewelry separately to prevent diamonds from scratching each other and scratching gold settings

## Do diamonds lose their sparkle?

**Direct Answer:** No — diamonds do not permanently lose their sparkle. Surface buildup from oils, lotions, and soap can temporarily reduce brilliance, which is easily restored with cleaning.

-   Diamonds are hydrophobic — they attract oils and grease, which dull the surface
-   A simple soak in warm water with mild dish soap restores full brilliance
-   Professional ultrasonic cleaning recommended every 6–12 months
-   The diamond itself never changes — only the surface accumulates buildup

## Can diamonds become dull?

**Direct Answer:** Yes — temporarily. Diamonds become dull from surface oil and residue buildup, not from any change to the diamond itself. Cleaning always restores full brilliance.

-   Skin oils, lotions, perfume, and soap are the most common causes of dullness
-   Dullness is a surface issue only — the diamond's optical properties are unchanged
-   Clean every 1–2 weeks for daily-wear diamond jewelry to maintain maximum sparkle
-   Professional cleaning removes buildup that at-home cleaning cannot reach

**Related:** [Diamond Education Hub →](/pages/diamond-education-hub) | [Diamond FAQ →](/pages/diamond-faq-guide) | [Diamond Jewelry Care FAQ →](/pages/diamond-jewelry-care-faq) | [Jewelry Care Hub →](/pages/jewelry-care-guide-hub-1)

**Diamond FAQ Cluster**

→ [Diamond FAQ — Complete Guide](/pages/diamond-faq-guide) (pillar) | [Diamond Basics](/pages/diamond-basics-faq-2) | [Buying Decisions](/pages/diamond-buying-decisions-faq) | [Certification & Trust](/pages/diamond-certification-trust-faq) | [Value & Investment](/pages/diamond-value-investment-faq) | [Authenticity & Safety](/pages/diamond-authenticity-safety-faq) | [Diamond Care](/pages/diamond-jewelry-care-faq)

→ [Diamond Education Hub](/pages/diamond-education-hub) | [Jewelry Guides & Education Hub](/pages/jewelry-guides-central-hub)

---

> Source: [DEEVE](https://deeve.ca/pages/diamond-durability-longevity-faq)