oily finish / cleaning question

[charlottedeac1]

Several posters have made remarks that poor quality diamonds must always be cleaned to make them presentable. What is it about a diamond that creates an oily look and requires incessant cleaning? Does it have something to do with the polish or perhaps the cut of the diamonds?

 

[oldminer]

Diamonds have a natural affinity for grease. Oil sticks well to their surface. Also, fluourescent diamonds may look oily even when they are perfectly clean.

Well cut diamonds resist looking dirty better than less brilliant, less well cut diamonds. It simply is more difficult to conceal a high degree of brilliancy than to conceal lower brilliancy.

Low quality diamonds may also have more clarity faults and inclusions. Large inclusions often inhibit brilliancy and sparkle.

It is always a better view when a window is kept clean than when it has become coated with layers of dust and dirt. A broken window is like a heavily included diamond. It is difficult to see through the lines where there is damage in window glass. The same holds true with diamonds.