Do Diamonds Lose Their Sparkle?

[bruceb916]

Just got engaged last weekend and a couple of the older people there mentioned that hey love the look of new diamonds because how sparkly they are.

So do diamonds lose their sparkle? Or is this me buying a better cut and quality diamond than was available to the average consumer 20-30 years ago? I count my blessings every day for the education I received from pricescope.

Thanks to all!

 

[neatfreak]

They don''t lose their sparkle, but you did buy an excellently cut diamond which does make a major sparkle difference to a poorly cut one!

 

[JulieN]

they need to be cleaned.

 

[John P]

Date: 12/13/2008 7:37:25 PM
Author: JulieN

they need to be cleaned.

Yep. The pavilion especially.

When dirt/grease stick to the surface it changes the refractive index; making it no longer a diamond.

Another C. A very important one.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

alternatively only ever look at your diamond in jewellery stores

 

[swingirl]

When we bought my stone 27 years ago no even mentioned CUT. I was never told by the NY Diamond District jeweler that cutters cut stones differently, some better than others. The line they gave us was if the symmetry was good then the stone was cut well. Since the buyer wasn''t asking for anything better I am guessing the cutters cut for size and profit, not for ideal proportions.

 

[strmrdr]

To answer the question about 20-30 years ago there were some excellent cut diamonds out then and some smoking hot 60/60s that are out of favor these days with a different look.

The cut of the average diamond I run into is much better today than even 5 years ago even in the lower cost ones(EGL/IGI). They are still a lot of steep/deeps but the optical symmetry is much better.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 12/13/2008 9:56:03 PM
Author: strmrdr
To answer the question about 20-30 years ago there were some excellent cut diamonds out then and some smoking hot 60/60s that are out of favor these days with a different look.

The cut of the average diamond I run into is much better today than even 5 years ago even in the lower cost ones(EGL/IGI). They are still a lot of steep/deeps but the optical symmetry is much better.

When I graduated from the GIA in 1975 I was convinced that ideal cutting was the ticket. Sadly there were few cutters who cut anything to the Tolkowsky specs, and they were all about 20 - 25% more than a standard cut diamond, which made them very hard to sell for a young pup just getting his sea legs.

There was no Pricescope to teach the glory of cutting, so each client had to be educated from scratch, and there were no tools like we have today to take all the numbers out of the equation and show the results with idealscopes and ASETS. Heck, even I would fall asleep trying to teach someone about how light behaved in a diamond.

Wink

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/13/2008 11:24:00 PM
Author: Wink

Date: 12/13/2008 9:56:03 PM

Author: strmrdr

To answer the question about 20-30 years ago there were some excellent cut diamonds out then and some smoking hot 60/60s that are out of favor these days with a different look.


The cut of the average diamond I run into is much better today than even 5 years ago even in the lower cost ones(EGL/IGI). They are still a lot of steep/deeps but the optical symmetry is much better.

When I graduated from the GIA in 1975 I was convinced that ideal cutting was the ticket. Sadly there were few cutters who cut anything to the Tolkowsky specs, and they were all about 20 - 25% more than a standard cut diamond, which made them very hard to sell for a young pup just getting his sea legs.


There was no Pricescope to teach the glory of cutting, so each client had to be educated from scratch, and there were no tools like we have today to take all the numbers out of the equation and show the results with idealscopes and ASETS. Heck, even I would fall asleep trying to teach someone about how light behaved in a diamond.


Wink

lol
I would find such a conversation interesting.
The basics arent that hard.
I have thought of doing an article on the basics in layman terms but the way my last one got tore up I am done with them.

 

[jewelerman]

Date: 12/13/2008 11:24:00 PM
Author: Wink

Date: 12/13/2008 9:56:03 PM
Author: strmrdr
To answer the question about 20-30 years ago there were some excellent cut diamonds out then and some smoking hot 60/60s that are out of favor these days with a different look.

The cut of the average diamond I run into is much better today than even 5 years ago even in the lower cost ones(EGL/IGI). They are still a lot of steep/deeps but the optical symmetry is much better.

When I graduated from the GIA in 1975 I was convinced that ideal cutting was the ticket. Sadly there were few cutters who cut anything to the Tolkowsky specs, and they were all about 20 - 25% more than a standard cut diamond, which made them very hard to sell for a young pup just getting his sea legs.

There was no Pricescope to teach the glory of cutting, so each client had to be educated from scratch, and there were no tools like we have today to take all the numbers out of the equation and show the results with idealscopes and ASETS. Heck, even I would fall asleep trying to teach someone about how light behaved in a diamond.

Wink

I also remember the day when cut was never really covered in a sales presentation...The behavior of light in a diamond was scientific and sleep inducing...not romantic enough....it took time to educate the client.I remember the manager at the first jewelry store i worked at saying"You dont have to marry em ...just sell them jewelry"...because it was felt that people didnt want to spend to much time being informed,but romanced when purchasing jewelry.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/13/2008 7:59:28 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 12/13/2008 7:37:25 PM
Author: JulieN

they need to be cleaned.

Yep. The pavilion especially.

When dirt/grease stick to the surface it changes the refractive index; making it no longer a diamond.

Another C. A very important one.

Yep again. Mucky greasy yucky diamonds don''t sparkle.

Keep ''em clean. And many of us here soak and scrub ours daily.

 

[MMT]

I say clean it. Whenevery I put my ring in the ultrasonic I can''t believe how gorgeous it is when it comes out.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/14/2008 5:56:32 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/13/2008 7:59:28 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 12/13/2008 7:37:25 PM
Author: JulieN

they need to be cleaned.

Yep. The pavilion especially.

When dirt/grease stick to the surface it changes the refractive index; making it no longer a diamond.

Another C. A very important one.

Yep again. Mucky greasy yucky diamonds don''t sparkle.

Keep ''em clean. And many of us here soak and scrub ours daily.

Ditto. A clean diamond is a happy diamond.

Invest in a good ultrasonic cleaner if you haven''t already, they are worth it.

 

[Deelight]

Date: 12/14/2008 10:01:18 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 12/14/2008 5:56:32 AM

Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/13/2008 7:59:28 PM

Author: John Pollard

Date: 12/13/2008 7:37:25 PM

Author: JulieN


they need to be cleaned.

Yep. The pavilion especially.


When dirt/grease stick to the surface it changes the refractive index; making it no longer a diamond.


Another C. A very important one.

Yep again. Mucky greasy yucky diamonds don''t sparkle.

Keep ''em clean. And many of us here soak and scrub ours daily.

Ditto. A clean diamond is a happy diamond.

Invest in a good ultrasonic cleaner if you haven''t already, they are worth it.

Ditto, even a good mixture of ammonia, detergent, baby toothbrush and hot water will do the trick.

Due to the fact after my FI proposed to me we were still traveling around Europe and Asia I didn''t have access to proper cleaning tools/products my VS1 diamond developed a nasty looking dirt patch underneath it that looked like a massive cloud because it was OMG dirty, it is all a distant memory now since we got home and I had access to a US and cleaning products - it makes an insane difference and said ugly looking false cloud is GONE.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/14/2008 10:18:55 AM
Author: Deelight

Date: 12/14/2008 10:01:18 AM

Author: Ellen

Date: 12/14/2008 5:56:32 AM


Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/13/2008 7:59:28 PM


Author: John Pollard

Date: 12/13/2008 7:37:25 PM


Author: JulieN



they need to be cleaned.

Yep. The pavilion especially.



When dirt/grease stick to the surface it changes the refractive index; making it no longer a diamond.



Another C. A very important one.

Yep again. Mucky greasy yucky diamonds don''t sparkle.

Keep ''em clean. And many of us here soak and scrub ours daily.

Ditto. A clean diamond is a happy diamond.

Invest in a good ultrasonic cleaner if you haven''t already, they are worth it.

Ditto, even a good mixture of ammonia, detergent, baby toothbrush and hot water will do the trick.


Due to the fact after my FI proposed to me we were still traveling around Europe and Asia I didn''t have access to proper cleaning tools/products my VS1 diamond developed a nasty looking dirt patch underneath it that looked like a massive cloud because it was OMG dirty, it is all a distant memory now since we got home and I had access to a US and cleaning products - it makes an insane difference and said ugly looking false cloud is GONE.

No ammonia for white gold!

 

[EricaR]

This thread convinced me to go clean my ring.

OMG! How had I let it get soooo dirty!!! Now I can''t stop staring at it.

So yes, cleaning makes an world of difference!

 

[Fly Girl]

Yep. They must lost their sparkle. My mom''s diamond used to sparkle, but it doesn''t any more.


Of course, she hasn''t cleaned it in years....

 

[beaujolais]

--- So do diamonds lose their sparkle? ---

Oh, dear No.

--- that they love the look of new diamonds because how sparkly they are ---

Um, no. (? !) Just keep them clean.

There are some fantastic cut old stones. The stone is my avitar is from the late 1880's and has the most amazing brilliance (aka sparkle) and fire (the giving off of colored light).

Congrats & Happy Holidays,

Sonoma

 

[bruceb916]

Thanks to all who answered this post.

I will kindly remind the future mrs. to keep the diamond & ring clean.

 

[boyscout]

My jeweler and my appraiser both use steam to clean. When I asked if I could use my espresso steaming wand to do the same, they both said yes.

Just make sure you have a decent set of jeweler tweezers to hold the ring, though. (I use wooden toast tongs.)

 

[kindred]

I''ve seen conflicting info regarding ammonia and gold. How about platinum? Is it safe to use ammonia on it?

 

[Winks_Elf]

You're better off using a product meant for cleaning diamonds.

Personally, I find that in a pinch a quick soak in some lemony fresh Lysol and hot water does wonders...especially with a quick gentle scrubbing from a soft baby toothbrush. The Lysol degreases diamonds and sterilizes the prongs all at the same time!

 

[LGK]

Date: 12/15/2008 8:40:55 PM
Author: kindred
I've seen conflicting info regarding ammonia and gold. How about platinum? Is it safe to use ammonia on it?

Plat is fine with ammonia. Gold, yellow is OK but not white, I hear. Ammonia will wear the rhodium plating off quickly. So my guess is that's the reason white gold isn't OK, but there may be more to it.

Generally ammonia is only so-so as a cleaner. I prefer Dawn detergent, or shampoo on a soft toothbrush- both have grease cutting agents and don't leave a residue.

 

[kindred]

I just cleaned three rings with an ultrasonic cleaner and an ammonia solution thanks to this thread and they look amazing. It occurs to me that all I have to do is keep my rings clean and they will look better than 95% of the diamonds I see other people wearing.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/15/2008 8:40:55 PM
Author: kindred
I''ve seen conflicting info regarding ammonia and gold. How about platinum? Is it safe to use ammonia on it?

Per Rich Sherwood, no ammonia on WG. It''s fine for Platinum, and cleans better than anything else imo.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/final-word-on-wg-and-ammonia.67468/

 

[hoorray]

It absolutely amazes me how many people never clean their rings. I''m going to my sister''s for Christmas, and I''m going to take my bottle of Sparkle Sparkle and give hers a good scrub. I bet she will think it''s a new ring!

 

[AndyMN]

Cleanliness is the key!! I always suggest to use warm water and soap, if you have an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner, even better. Be sure that you''re gentle with the toothbrush, and pay special attention to the little holes beneath the diamonds they''re generally a haven for gunk. People tend to forget what their diamonds look like when clean and get used to seeing them dirty. If you bring your rings into a jeweler and have them refurbish the metal, it''ll really knock your socks off!