Black diamonds are quickly becoming popular in the jewelry industry. They are a rare luxury and highly sought after by those seeking rare stones. The smoky coloration of the black diamonds are mineral inclusions---iron oxides such as hematite, magnetite or sulfide compounds. High concentrations of these inclusions turn the stone black or a rich dark gray. Cleaning a black diamond requires the same process as cleaning a white diamond. A clean diamond of any color sparkles and shines.
Presoak the black diamond in hot water to loosen any dirt, oil or debris.
Mix up a black diamond cleaning solution made of diluted ammonia and three parts water. Jewelry stores also sell special diamond cleaning solutions.
Fill a shallow dish with the cleaning solution and soak the diamond for at least 1 hour. The stone must be completely submerged in the solution.
Scrub the black diamond with a soft bristle brush. A toothbrush works well for this. Scrub the stone at different angles to thoroughly clean all surfaces.
Rinse the black diamond off under running hot water to remove all the cleaning solution. Polish the stone with a clean, lint-free cloth for maximum sparkle.
Things You'll Need:
Things You Will Need
Warnings:
- Grimy diamonds do not reflect the light like a clean stone does which causes the inner fire to fade. Check the prongs surrounding your diamonds regularly, as they can come loose during cleaning. Do not use bleach or abrasive chemicals to clean your diamonds. Do not use sharp objects to clean the crevices on your black diamonds.