While professional jewelers are the obvious choice for cleaning your jewelry, you can save yourself the trip and occasionally an expense, by reading these simple instructions to learn how to clean diamond jewelry. A dirty diamond will appear yellow and cloudy, diminishing the stone’s brilliance and sparkle. Diamonds, in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and rings, are often the most valuable pieces of jewelry in a jewelry collection. Keeping the stones clean is necessary to maintain perceived value. Color and clarity are two of the factors used to determine a diamond’s price. Dirt diminishes the stone’s brilliance and sparkle. Therefore a clean stone appears more valuable than a dirty one, regardless of actual cost. http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/cleaningdiamond_sind.htm

Clean your diamond jewelery every week to keep it looking its finest. The more frequently it is cleaned, the easier it will be to keep it sparkling. Regular cleanings also avoid the need more for more risky techniques that may be required to remove decades of buildup. http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/cleaningdiamond_sind.htm

Before cleaning your jewelry, make sure the stones are seated properly in the setting. Also, check to see that the mounting and all the clasps, prongs, etc. are tight enough to clean without dislodging a stone.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-clean-jewelry.html

Cleaning your diamond jewelry is not difficult and can be done at home with a few basic supplies. Use the supplies listed below, read the Cautionary Notes, follow the steps shown, and you will have clean, sparkling diamonds every time.

Because of their carbon composition, diamonds naturally attract grease. Grease accumulates on diamond jewelry from lotions, hairspray and hair gel, dishwater, cosmetics, and even natural skin oils. Simply touching a diamond leaves a thin film of oil on the stone’s surface, and the slightest accumulation will begin to dull the stone.

To keep diamonds from becoming dirty, avoid touching them as much as possible. Remove diamond jewelry before taking a shower or bath, or before applying makeup or lotion.

Even the mildest soap inevitably leaves chemicals and residue on surfaces it cleans. Because the refraction of light within the diamond is critical to its inner fire and beauty, even small deposits of soapy residue will dull the stone. http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_Clean_Diamonds

• Small, shallow bowl just deep enough to cover the jewelry
• Ammonia
• Soft bristle, non-metallic brush (an old, soft bristle toothbrush is perfect)
• Paper towel
• Soft, white lint free cloth
• Warm Water (microwaved or very hot tap water)
• Windex or Ethyl alcohol are alternatives to ammonia
• Fresh running water or small bowl of clean water

1. Set up a cleaning space. Be sure to choose a location with adequate lighting to see crevices as well as a location protected from loss (away from sink drains, etc.). Place a towel on the work surface. The towel helps protect the surface from cleaning chemicals and helps you keep track of your valuable jewelry while cleaning.
2. Close the sink drain. Always be sure the stopper is firmly in place to avoid losing valuable stones down the drain.
3. Remove hairs or other fibers stuck in the prongs or setting. Tweezers can help reach tight areas.
4. Pour 3 parts water in the small bowl, and microwave on high for about one minute (The water should never be boiling, which could warp the metal and loosen the setting.).
5. Add 1 part ammonia, or household glass cleaner to the heated water. This is your diamond cleaning solution.
6. Presoak the jewelry in the warm diluted ammonia cleaning solution. To do this, gently place the diamond into cleaning solution for approximately 1.5 minutes, or until water has cooled to the touch.
7. Remove the piece and then dip the brush in the solution.
8. Scrub diamond gently with the soft-bristled brush. Most dirt accumulates in the crevices around the prongs and setting, so concentrate on those areas. Change angles frequently to work into crevices but keep a firm grip on the jewelry. (If the dirt is caked on and difficult to remove, use a toothpick or unwaxed dental floss to loosen it, and consider soaking the piece for a few minutes longer.)
9. Return the item to the bowl for a quick solution rinse.
10. Carefully remove from the solution.
11. Rinse jewelry carefully. Use running water or fresh water dish and change angles to remove all cleaning solution. (If rinsing under running water, grip the jewelry firmly or use a sieve deep enough to contain it without risk of loss.)
12. Lay the jewelry on a dry paper towel or white, lint free cloth and let sit for at least five minutes. Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth and they will air dry just beautifully. The ammonia or glass cleaner/ethyl alcohol helps this process and yields a beautiful, "brand-new" look for your diamond jewelry.http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Diamond-Earrings|.http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_Clean_Diamonds

Note: If you're are in a hurry, dry your piece with clean lint-free cloth. Use cloth to polish ring for maximum sparkle and shine.

Diamonds are the hardest and most durable gemstones, but they are not impervious to damage. If handled carelessly, diamonds can scratch one another, and other stones can scratch or damage the diamond’s setting, potentially loosening the stone. The tips of intricately cut stones can be chipped and should always be cleaned carefully.

Diamond jewelry should also be removed before using household cleaning products or chemicals that may scratch or weaken the setting. Cleaners containing chlorine should never be used on gold or diamond jewelry. Chlorine is particularly harsh on gold and can actually destroy the surface of a gold item. Jewelry should never be worn while using bleach-based cleaners or while in a chlorinated pool or a hot tub. http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/cleaningdiamond_sind.htm

Most over the counter jewelry cleaning chemicals will not harm diamonds, but they may affect other stones in the setting or even damage the metal. When cleaning diamond jewelry, always take the precautions necessary to protect the weakest stone in the piece.

Fracture-filled diamonds require extra caution. These are flawed stones that have been treated with glass film under extreme heat to coat cracks and flaws, brightening the stone and heightening its clarity. Even though the treatment may not be visible, the glass filling is more susceptible to discoloration from harsh cleaning chemicals and the stone should be treated as more delicate than an untreated diamond.http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/cleaningdiamond_sind.htm