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Clean diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other transparent, single mineral gemstones properly. Fill a glass with hot distilled water and a touch of mild dish soap. Soak gemstones overnight. Then gently scrub the gemstone with a soft bristle toothbrush. The soaking will also help dislodge any dirt that has accumulated behind the stone. Rinse, then clean again in new water that has a touch of ammonia to remove any remaining film. - 2
Though transparent, amber is soft and made of tree resin, and is not a single mineral gemstone
Clean opaque, soft and porous gemstones properly. Porous, opaque and soft gemstones should only be wiped clean with a moist, soft lint-free cloth. Do not use soap, ammonia, or any other chemical as they can absorb it which can lead to discoloration. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for these as well. These opaque and porous gemstones that should only be wiped with pure water include lapis, amber, turquoise, pearl, opals, coral, malachite, and onyx. If in doubt, do a search of your particular gemstone to see which category it falls into. - 3
For even more serious at home methods to polish gemstones, purchase a jewelers' polishing cloth from a reputable dealer and follow its instructions precisely, making sure the polishing cloth specifically states it's meant for your particular type of gemstone. They come in various names, such as, "jewelers' rouge polishing cloth," or "selvyt cloth" meant for gems and jewelry. Some are specifically made for very soft gemstones and guarantee they'll buff and add sparkle without scratching. Some are better for the harder gemstones.
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