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 → | Diamond FAQ → | Diamond Jewelry Care FAQ → | Jewelry Care Hub →