How should I photograph a loose diamond?

I have some tips that might assist you:

• Have maximum lighting. I know that some think that daylight can dazzle and will prevent focusing on a diamond's subtle details, but I don't agree. Light is always good and flash is always the last solution if you ask me. If you can have a light source behind the diamond (rather than behind the camera) this could lead to nice results.
  
• Short distance is better than zoom - Stay close to the diamond, use macro mode, rather than zooming on it from a distance. Zoom usually allows less depth of view and the diamond appears shallower and less in details. Keep in mind that you still want light to enter the diamond, so you don't want to be too close, in an angle which could shade the diamond.
  
• Stay still - Use a tripod for maximum stillness and better capture of diamond's details.
• Shooting through a magnifying glass - This must be done in a proper way, try to play around, finding an angle that would result in a nice photo, without distorting the diamond's appearance.
• Try to keep the background close to the diamond - This is not a 'must' but since a diamond is small it is sometimes easier to focus on it (especially when using auto focus) when there are not many distracting objects behind.
• Say cheese!
  

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There is an infinite number of tips for photographing diamonds. I would say that the most important tip for diamond jewelry photography is to use a tripod, in order to keep the camera as still as possible. It's also best to take diamond photos in a room with plenty of light entering from the direction of the back of the camera and focusing directly on the diamond jewelry. Close Focus or "Macro" mode could be a good choice for diamond close-ups.

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