Maintaining a clean diamond can sometimes be difficult, as jewelry settings can obstruct cleaning efforts, and oils, grease, and other hydrophobic materials adhere well to a diamond's surface. Some jewellers provide their customers with sudsy ammonia cleaning kits. Some other jewellers sell small ultrasonic cleaners. Home-based cleaning methods include immersing the diamond in ammonia-based or ethyl alcohol-based solutions, or even a solution of mild grease dissolving detergent and warm water.

Cleaning can damage some jewelry. For example, some class rings are coated with a dark pigment to reduce their shininess. Ultrasonic cleaning can remove this coating. Also, many gems (such as emerald and pearl) are soft or porous. Cleaning agents can erode or infiltrate these gems. Ultrasonic cleaning is also contraindicated for Opals, Tanzanite, Amber, and any gemstone that reveals a high degree of internal fractures.

Although it is not one of the 4 C's, cleanliness affects a diamonds's beauty as much as any of the 4 C's (cut, carat, color, clarity).

A clean diamond is more brilliant and fiery than the same diamond when it is "dirty". Dirt or grease on the top of a diamond reduces its luster. Water, dirt, or grease on the bottom of a diamond interferes with the diamond's brilliance and fire. Even a thin film absorbs some light that could have been reflected to the person looking at the diamond.

Colored dye or smudges can affect the perceived color of a gem. Historically, some jewellers' diamonds were misgraded due to smudges on the girdle, or dye on the culet. Current practice is to thoroughly clean a gem before grading its color as well as clarity.

Cleanliness does not affect the jewelry's market value, as jewellers routinely clean jewelry before offering it for sale. However, cleanliness might reflect the jewelry's sentimental value.

Buying a loose diamond or diamond ring on eBay can be a very rewarding experience if the price is right!

First, you will undoubtedly come across language (terminology) that sellers may use in their listings. Many know that the fours C's of buying a diamond are Cut, Clarity, Color & Carat Weight. However, there are many other terms, which don't start with the letter "C" but are just as important!

Blemish
A blemish can occur on the surface of a diamond. A Blemish will affect the clarity of a diamond.

Brilliance
This is the "heart" of a diamond. It's what differentiates a diamond from all other gems. Brilliance occurs when light passes through the table and bounces off the pavilion facets back up through the table creating the "brilliance" that diamonds display.

Brilliant Cut
A Brilliant cut maximizes the "brilliance" of a diamond. Brilliant cuts which maximize the brilliance of a diamond are princess cut, oval, marquise, heart, pear, round and oval.

Carbon Spots
Carbon is a naturally occurring "black spot" that can be found inside a diamond. The industry will call them included crystals however, take any 10 times loupe and look at the diamond closely and you may see one or more carbon spots (which, when clustered together and/or found in numerous quantity) will just leap out at you! They will appear as black spots or specks. The industry will say that carbon spots do not affect the brilliance of the diamond, as they are not visible to the naked.

Clouds
Look up into the sky (on a cloudy day of course) and you'll get the idea! Clouds when found in a diamond can come together to form a transparent cloud. Again, the industry will tell you (educate you) that clouds in a diamond do not necessarily affect the clarity of the diamond. Clouds can not be seen with the naked eye, they are found under microscope examination.

Eye-Clean Diamonds
Another industry term, which basically tells you that a diamond is "eye clean". If you can look at a diamond with your naked eye and do not see any blemishes or inclusions, then diamond is described as being "eye clean".

Feather
A feather is basically a fracture. A feather (fracture) can run from one end of the diamond to the other and in other cases, the feather may be at the surface of the diamond but, never continue from the table on downward through the diamond. Again, a feather can be seen using a 10 times loupe and it will look like the feather of a bird (but in crystal form).

If the feather runs from the table downward in the diamond, it might be best to consider the possibility that the diamond could cleave itself (break).  If you find an especially large diamond and it displays a feather running from top to bottom, you might want to consider in setting a large "feathered" diamond into a pendant setting for stability. If you set it into a four prong setting (and through normal wear and tear), the ring is subjected to a hard knock, it could cleave the diamond.

Inclusion
An inclusion affects the clarity of a diamond and can be one or more of the terms as described above.

Laser Drilled Diamonds
A Laser Drilled Diamond is a diamond which has had its inclusions drilled out of it. It may sound strange exchanging one inclusion for another, as a Laser Drilled Diamond is one of the few "man made" inclusions that a diamond can present upon close examination.  In some cases, a diamond may have just a few inclusions, which detract from its clarity and brilliance. In such cases, drilling out the inclusion (only up and until the point the inclusion ends) and filling the hole with acid, will remove the inclusion thus creating a more brilliant and vibrant diamond.

Diamond Certificates & Appraisals
What's the difference between a Certificate and Appraisal? This is a question often asked of prospective buyers. You may come across eBay listings, titles and descriptions, which will state "GIA Certified Diamond" or "AGS Certified Diamond". GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America and AGS stands for the American Gem Society.

GIA is the most recognized diamond grader in the world today. AGS is also recognized as a respected grading organization as well.

A Certificate issued by either organization will provide you a "road map" of a diamond. Such a Certificate will map out the exact measurements of the diamond, it's carat weight, cut and clarity. While a Certificate assures you that you have a genuine diamond in your hands (and sets forth the "vital" information for that diamond), an Appraisal will include this information as well however, an Appraisal will also disclose the value of the diamond.

Shy Diamonds
What is a Shy Diamond? A Shy Diamond purchase can work to your advantage or disadvantage. Shy Diamonds are termed "shy" when they're not quite a full half carat or full one carat diamond.

Let's say you're looking to purchase a one carat diamond however, you're on a budget and while a one full carat diamond of high quality is what you're seeking, you just can't afford a VS quality diamond that's one full carat.

Suggestion? Shop for a diamond which is 0.98, 0.97 or 0.96 carats. You should notice a price drop when going below one carat diamond (even by a few points).

On the other hand, let's say you're seeking to buy a one carat diamond and you find one which has been advertised as one carat diamond however, when you receive the diamond and have it graded or appraised and the diamond comes back as weighing 0.98 carats (and not one full carat) the diamond is "shy" by two full points and you paid for a one carat diamond.

If you buy a one carat diamond and it's "shy" send it back! Diamond prices and value increase at certain carat weights. If you wanted a half carat, full carat, one and a half carat diamond (and so on) make sure the diamond is not a "shy" diamond.

Handling & Restocking Fee for Returned Diamonds
Remember that yo should always read the fine print when purchasing a diamond. The terms and condtions of the puchase might disclose that there is a "Handling Fee" or a "Restocking Fee" associated with your purchase.

In other words, if you buy a one carat diamond and there's a Handling Fee or Restocking Fee based upon a flat return rate or a percentage of the sale, you would have paid for a "show & tell" sesson for the pruchase. If the total price of the diamond is $2,000.00 and you're subject to a 10% restocking fee, you will lose $200.00!

Advice for Brides...
Brides through the ages have accessorized with wedding jewelry to add a finishing touch to their bridal attire; however, many brides who don't wear jewelry in everyday life jump at the chance to wear it on their wedding day. Is it the special occasion or the chance to play dress-up that prompts these brides to don the unthinkable—jewelry?

Those brides too practical to care about jewelry in real life use it on their wedding day to check off all the "somethings" that bring good luck—something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Whatever your reason for wearing jewelry on your wedding day, it should complement the overall theme of the wedding, including the formality of the occasion, the design of the wedding dress, and the bridal color scheme if your jewelry includes color.

The traditional bridal jewelry ensemble consists of pearl and/or diamond earrings and necklace, often heirloom pieces (something old, something borrowed). Pearls top the list as the most popular bridal jewelry. Originally worn as a symbol of purity, pearls are understated, elegant and timeless. If you listen closely and put your ear to the ground, you can almost hear that chorus of all the Mothers of the Brides from here to Timbuktu: "Dear, you cannot go wrong with pearls." For once, Mother's mantra hits the mark.

The same holds true for diamonds. You can't go wrong with real diamonds. A rare bride can afford to be gaudy and showy with diamonds, and those who can know better. It's the blinding array of affordable simulated diamonds that leads to trouble. On your wedding day, less is always more unless you're Elizabeth Taylor. There's a fine line between a fairy tale look and gaudy. If you're not sure whether you're crossing the line, ask for help from a trusted friend or relative with an air of elegance.

If you want to wear pearls and a little flash of diamonds, the "Sweetheart" Swarovski line combines the two (something new), and offers you a choice of colors in pendants and spacers, as well as your choice of metals. Swarovski crystals and glass pearls are the finest in quality from the Czech Republic, world renowned for their crystals and semi-precious gems. Each handmade piece is customized to match the colors in your wedding. Their line also includes glass fresh water pearls. If you want to introduce a little color into your wedding jewelry, pick up a color in the bridesmaids' dresses (something blue).

Guidelines for Bridal Jewelry
Semi-formal or formal attire guidelines apply to wedding attire—the simpler the dress, the more elaborate the jewelry. You can't highlight everything, and you don't want your jewelry to compete with your gown. Intricate bridal gowns with elaborate beadwork or hand-sewn lace call for simple, elegant jewelry while unadorned bridal gowns can support jewelry with more glitter, glitz and drama.

You may hear that a white bridal gown requires silver jewelry and that an ivory bridal gown requires gold jewelry. Unless you specifically selected your bridal gown to match your engagement and wedding rings, select gold or silver jewelry according to your personal preference. You're going to find that almost everyone with whom you discuss your wedding plans has an opinion on nearly everything, usually stated as a rule.

When you select your wedding jewelry, ask yourself the following questions:
Does the jewelry fit the occasion? Is it too formal or too casual? Does the jewelry compete with your wedding dress? Does the necklace follow the curve of the neckline? For example, if your wedding gown has a round neckline, a choker follows the neckline. If your gown has a V-neck, a longer necklace follows the neckline. Does your jewelry accentuate your best features, or does it attract attention to the wrong area of your face or neckline?

Earring Options
Whether you choose studs, or dangling earrings, pearls or diamonds, the key words are delicate and elegant. If your bridal bouquet and floral displays are predominantly pastel, you can select one of the pastels for your jewelry ensemble. Pale pink pearls are stunning with a bouquet of pastel roses. Out with the rules: wear whatever makes you look and feel good.

Neckwear Options
High necklines are the only necklines that generally cannot support neckwear. The neckline is the neckwear! If you're wearing a severe neckline such as a bateau, you can wear a more dramatic necklace: a larger, dramatic pendant or a longer strand of pearls. When in doubt, a simple pearl choker complements most necklines without overpowering the gown.

Tiaras - A Wedding Crown!
If you elect to wear a tiara, limit the rest of your jewelry to simple stud or button earrings and understated neckwear. You chose the tiara to make a statement; let it do just that. In fact, you may want to forego a necklace when wearing a tiara so that the eye wanders up to the tiara.

When selecting your jewelry, determine which asset you want to emphasize, and use jewelry to draw attention to that asset!

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