Most people think that since diamonds are the hardest of all the gemstones they can never lose their sparkle or brilliance. They do NOT dull or stop sparkling, they just get dirty.
Diamonds are magnets for all kinds of materials which will stick to them and make them lose their sparkle. Finger prints are a prime example. The oils on your fingers can stick to the diamond and make it lose some of its brilliance.
In fact, every time I deliver an engagement ring, I give the young man who purchased it a speech about not letting ANYONE touch it until he proposes, because the first time the young lady sees it, the ring should be at its most brilliant. Hand lotion, soap, cooking materials and perspiration are all things that can stick to a diamond and cause it to not look its best.
Sometimes it happens gradually so that the wearer doesn’t realize that it is happening. Very often I meet with a customer who spent a great deal of time and money on the “perfect” engagement ring, only to come to me several month or years later and the ring is absolutely filthy. I realize I’m more likely to notice it than the customer. So, I ALWAYS offer to clean it for them. Afterwards, the reaction is always the same: “WOW!!”
So what can you do about this? First of all, if you are ever in New York City, please stop in and I will be very happy to clean it for you at no charge.
For at home cleaning, there are several types of jewelry cleaners that you can buy, and they are all equally fine. They will come with a brush. Use it! It’s very important to brush the back of the diamond because that is where it’s going to get dirty. You can use a toothbrush and toothpaste and it will work just as well. If the diamond is really dirty you may want to let it soak for a while in jewelry cleaner, or rubbing alcohol, and then go at it with a brush.
I always stress to my customers the importance of keeping their jewelry clean, but I have an ulterior motive, I can’t deny it. I want all my customers to be walking advertisem*nts for me and for that to happen the jewelry must look its best.
– Gary
Happy Valentines Day!
Photo Credit: GemLN Jewelry Blog
FAQs
The way each of a diamond's tiny facets are cut and polished determines how much sparkle the diamond will have, which means the style and quality of cutting and polishing are equally important. More facets create more sparkle, and to achieve maximum sparkle, each facet must be cut and polished properly.
What is the best household cleaner for diamond rings? ›
The best way to clean a diamond ring is with plain soap and water, no matter the type of metal. Simply, fill a bowl with equal parts warm water and gentle dishwashing soap and soak your ring for 20 to 40 minutes. Use a soft brush to remove buildup from any hairspray, lotion, makeup, perfume, etc.
What is the reason for sparkling of diamonds? ›
This is the refraction. Refraction and dispersion are the reasons why the light ray travels through the diamond. Diamond acts like a tiny complicated prism through which the light ray travels at different angles and gives a shiny appearance.
How do you make cloudy diamonds shine? ›
A simple plan to keep your diamond jewelry looking beautiful is to soak it in a gentle degreasing solution, such as water with a few drops of mild dish soap, once or twice a week. After you remove the diamond from the cleaning solution, use a soft, clean toothbrush to remove any remaining dirt.
Will baking soda clean diamonds? ›
If you overdo it, you may find yourself wearing away at the shine rather than bringing it out. Remember that the solutions we offered for solid gold and silver jewelry do not transfer to diamonds. Baking soda and vinegar can seriously damage your gemstones and should never be used with these pieces.
How to get the most sparkle diamond? ›
The classic round brilliant cut without a doubt produces the best sparkle. The facet pattern, which is made of 58 facets, ensures light can pass through it in such a way that it creates the perfect sparkle.
What do jewelers use to make diamonds sparkle? ›
Diamonds gain their characteristic sparkle by using lasers to scrape away their dull, rough outer surface and create and polish angled facets that allow them to sparkle.
Why is my diamond ring not sparkly? ›
Diamonds are magnets for all kinds of materials which will stick to them and make them lose their sparkle. Finger prints are a prime example. The oils on your fingers can stick to the diamond and make it lose some of its brilliance.
Can I use Dawn to clean my diamonds? ›
Do: Dish Detergent and Warm Water. Although it may seem simple, the best homemade cleaner for diamond jewelry is a solution of dawn dish detergent and warm water. This solution is perfect for normal use which is expected for newer jewelry.
What do professionals clean diamond rings with? ›
Jewelers use ultrasonic cleaners with high frequency sound waves and chemicals, which create bubbles that latch on to the dirt on the diamond.
The only thing worse than a ring that has lost its luster is a ring that's damaged due to improper care. Meaning, you should never use household cleaners such as bleach, chlorine, and acetone when maintaining your bauble at home.
What causes a diamond to lose its sparkle? ›
Chemicals. Chlorine and other chemicals can harm diamonds and the metals in which they are set. Prolonged exposure to chlorine, as in a swimming pool, can make your diamonds look dull. The chemicals can also eat away at the gold setting.
What is the most important factor in diamond sparkle? ›
Diamond cut is the single most important of the 4Cs when it comes to the physical beauty of a diamond. Why? Because a diamond's cut determines how much it sparkles.
Should diamonds sparkle? ›
Two other quick and simple ways to spot a real diamond is by looking at how it sparkles in light and how much you can see through it. A real diamond appears gray and white inside (brilliance) when held to the light and can reflect rainbow colors (fire) onto other surfaces.
Why has my diamond lost its sparkle? ›
Dirt and grime: Everyday wear can lead to a buildup of oils, lotions, and dirt on the diamond's surface, diminishing its sparkle. Scratches: Diamonds are incredibly hard, but they are not immune to scratching.
How do you clean dull diamonds? ›
Start by adding washing-up liquid to water that is warm but nowhere near boiling, and leave to soak for around 30 minutes for necklaces and bracelets and around 45 minutes for earrings. Next, use a soft brush to remove stubborn marks and, if cleaning earrings, be sure to give the earring back a thorough clean.
Why does my diamond keep getting cloudy? ›
Certain types of inclusions and graining can sometimes reduce transparency in a diamond to a noticeable degree. If transparency is degraded enough, the diamond can appear obviously cloudy or milky and lacking in luster. In other cases, the effect is subtle and may not be noticeable to any but the most trained eye.
For at home cleaning, there are several types of jewelry cleaners that you can buy, and they are all equally fine. They will come with a brush. Use it! It’s very important to brush the back of the diamond because that is where it’s going to get dirty. You can use a toothbrush and toothpaste and it will work just as well. If the diamond is really dirty you may want to let it soak for a while in jewelry cleaner, or rubbing alcohol, and then go at it with a brush.