There are several reasons why a diamond might stop shining. It could be that the facets have become dirty or covered in wax, that the diamond is loose and needs to be tightened, or that there is a crack in the stone. If your diamond doesn't seem to be shining as brightly as it used to, don't worry – you're not alone.
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.
Diamonds are magnets to oil and grease. This makes them very tough to clean. The diamonds might lose its shine and fire with the oil deposition by a mere touch.
Dirt, Grim and Oils on the Surface of the Diamond Facets
While intrinsic qualities of a diamond can be the root cause of a cloudy appearance, sometimes the problem actually stems from the external cleanliness of the engagement ring.
While a diamond may look cloudy and milky because of inclusions, strong fluorescence, or even a poor cut grade, those aren't the only reasons it may have appeared to lose its stunning shine.
Baking soda is abrasive, which is why it's great for cleaning sinks and toilets, but that abrasive quality can scratch gemstones and precious metals. So steer clear when it comes to cleaning jewelry.
While vinegar is slightly acidic and needs to be used with caution on more porous stones, it will do a fabulous job on your diamond ring. Simply mix a half cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir until the baking soda is totally dissolved, then soak your diamond ring in the solution for 2–3 hours.
Because diamonds reflect white light, colorless diamonds produce the best sparkle and fire. In fact, the more color a diamond has, the less likely it is to reflect white light. And as a result, will produce less sparkle. A D-color diamond is the highest quality, and will offer the greatest sparkle.
To determine if your diamond is real, hold a magnifying glass up and look at the diamond through the glass. Look for imperfections within the stone. If you're unable to find any, then the diamond is most likely fake.
Chemicals can damage the metals used to alloy gold for diamond settings, and abrasive cleaning products or cleaning brushes can scratch the gold. Diamond rings and chemicals such as bleach, as well as shampoo and moisturizers, can be a bad combination.
Your ring needs regular cleaning. Cleaning your diamond with a solution of water and mild dish soap once a week will keep it looking sparkling and new. Avoid using chemicals in cleaning products. Get your ring checked out by a jeweller.
Even a moderate amount of dirt, grime or otherwise unpleasant sediment and “film” can have a severe effect on the sheen and shine of that precious stone in your precious ring. And over time, things like hand lotions, powders, soap, hairspray and more can really build up on and dull your diamond's glitter and glimmer.
Like a car, a diamond is a depreciating asset since it loses a large portion of its value the second you buy it. Think about gold and silver. The market for them is very liquid and fungible since you can store coins, sell them at any time or even trade them later on.
The best way to clean your diamond at home is to bathe it in a gentle degreasing solution such as warm water and regular dish soap. Allow the diamond to sit in this bath for 20 to 40 minutes to loosen dirt particles and finger oil.
Although it may seem simple, the best homemade cleaner for diamond jewelry is a solution of dawn dish detergent and warm water.
If you're trying to bring out your diamond's natural beauty, fill a cup with warm water and add ¼ cup of ammonia to it. After allowing the diamond to soak for around 15 minutes, pull it out and clean the surface with a soft-bristle brush. Then rinse it off and dry it with a soft cloth.
If you're looking for a way to get the sparkle and disinfect your diamond engagement ring from bacteria, the Windex and Hydrogen Peroxide method is for you. The Windex (or other ammonia-based cleaners) will remove typically dirt build-up to enhance sparkle and the hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria on the ring.
Diamonds need to be cut and polished to enhance their appearance before being made into jewelry, and this process gives diamonds the many facets they need to catch the light and send it glittering in every direction.
Not only do you run the risk of dulling the luster of your ring, but you can also destroy the setting, too. "Extensive hand sanitizer use can also loosen prongs that hold diamonds in place," revealed the experts at James Allen.
For a quick cleaning solution for gold and diamond jewelry, try a little isopropyl alcohol. You can fill a small container with some alcohol and drop your jewelry directly into the solution. Let it soak briefly and then remove the item. The nice thing about alcohol is that it will dry clear.
If a diamond has inclusions that make it cloudy, there isn't a way to fix the internal structure. If the diamond is hazy due to it being covered with residue and grime, then you can clean it to remove the cloudiness.
Using hand sanitizer while wearing a ring won't cause immediate damage to diamonds or gemstones, but can leave a filmy residue on the stones over time, dulling the sparkle.