Miners unearth world's biggest diamond

· South African find is twice as big as the Cullinan
· Expert predicts feverish bidding on huge stone

The world's biggest diamond, believed to be twice the size of the Cullinan, has been discovered in the North-West Province of South Africa. The find has electrified the diamond community, but the circumstances of the discovery are shrouded in mystery.

The diamond is expected to attract furious bidding from buyers worldwide and could fetch up to £15m.

The 203 carat Millennium Star is the second biggest flawless diamond. The newly found stone could produce a stone even bigger.

Rock stars

· The Cullinan Diamond was discovered in 1905 and at 3,106 carats was the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa - at 530 carats formerly the largest cut diamond - was one of the 105 gems cut from it.

· The Koh-i-noor is part of the British crown jewels. It originated in India but seized by Britain as a spoil of war in 1849. The diamond supposedly brings good luck to female owners and misfortune or death to any male who wears or owns it.

· The Hope Diamond is a large (45.52 carat), deep blue diamond. It is legendary for the curse it supposedly puts on whoever possesses it. Previous owners include Kings Louis XV and XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Read more...

How to Clean Diamond Earrings

Diamond earrings have to be cleaned often, to keep their brilliance and shine. They tend to pick up the dirt in the air, or in your hands when you handle them. Cleaning them is not difficult and can be done at any jewelers or at home.

STEP

1. In a small Tupperware dish, or small cereal bowl, fill 2 parts water and microwave on high for about one minute (almost to a boil).
2. Add 2 parts ammonia, or household glass cleaner to the heated water. This is your diamond cleaning solution.
3. Gently place the diamond into cleaning solution for approximately 1.5 minutes, or until water has cooled to the touch.
4. Carefully remove from the solution.Lift it by the post and not the diamond itself. For added cleaning, use a toothbrush to gently wipe away lotion, hair gel, or hair spray buildup on the lower side of the diamond.
5. After removing from cleaning solution, lay the earrings on a dry paper towel 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 helps this process and yields a beautiful, "brand-new" look for your diamond stud earrings.

TIPS

• Never touch diamonds, diamond stud earrings, or gemstones with your fingers. Diamonds have a natural affinity for grease and oil, primarily due to their hardness. Although this cleaning process is very simple, consult with professionals on the subject of ongoing inspection of your diamond stud earrings.
• Use this same method to clean any diamonds you might own, whether they are rings or pendents.
• Buy special diamond solutions at any jewelery store and dip the diamonds into the solution Follow the directions on the bottle.

Read more...