Can we talk cleaning again?

[denverappraiser]

The first key to cleaning is the back side of the stone. A toothbrush works just fine. I use straight windex with it but the free stuff they give you at the mall works ok too. Anything that breaks down the grease bond will do. Glass cleaner, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, even draino works (Drain cleaner is actually really effective but it's not something you want to get on your hands and it's poisonous to boot so I recommend against this as a choice).

The second key is in the rinse. If there’s a soap film left on the top of the stone, obviously that prevents the light from both getting in and getting out. I use distilled water because the water here has lots of minerals and such and it leaves water spots when it dries. Sure as shooting there always seems to be one right in the middle of the table. In some places this is more of a problem than others and you surely know if you’re in one of them simply by looking at your dishes.

I’m a big fan of the small home steam cleaners like the jeweljet. They're easy to buy for about $100 (self promotion disclaimer: I sell 'em). I use one on almost every appraisal I do although I still go at it with the toothbrush and windex first. As with the above, I put distilled water in mine because I don’t want there to be waterspots for the pictures but it’s really only necessary if you live in a place with hard water.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[Judah Gutwein]

Chargegrrl,

"Heat it up in the microwave"!!
Are you serious?

How''s it feel/look when it comes out?
This is amazing....never heard of this one!

 

[hoofbeats95]

Date: 12/24/2008 10:32:13 AM
Author: denverappraiser
The first key to cleaning is the back side of the stone. A toothbrush works just fine. I use straight windex with it but the free stuff they give you at the mall works ok too. Anything that breaks down the grease bond will do. Glass cleaner, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, even draino works (Drain cleaner is actually really effective but it''s not something you want to get on your hands and it''s poisonous to boot so I recommend against this as a choice).

The second key is in the rinse. If there’s a soap film left on the top of the stone, obviously that prevents the light from both getting in and getting out. I use distilled water because the water here has lots of minerals and such and it leaves water spots when it dries. Sure as shooting there always seems to be one right in the middle of the table. In some places this is more of a problem than others and you surely know if you’re in one of them simply by looking at your dishes.

I’m a big fan of the small home steam cleaners like the jeweljet. They''re easy to buy for about $100 (self promotion disclaimer: I sell ''em). I use one on almost every appraisal I do although I still go at it with the toothbrush and windex first. As with the above, I put distilled water in mine because I don’t want there to be waterspots for the pictures but it’s really only necessary if you live in a place with hard water.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

What is your website that I can order a jeweljet? Do you suggest that over an ultrasonic? So ideally I''d clean with a toothbrush and then the jeweljet - or the jeweljet at least once a week. Can I use that thing too much?

 

[hoofbeats95]

Oh and this may be overly anal but here is a pic of the side profile of my ring: www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/IMG_6402.JPG

I am paranoid about water accumulating inside the base of the head. I can get to most of my diamond with a toothbrush. So that''s not too much of an issue. But I feel the need to get the underside of the stone and the inside of the head dry. I''m using the canned air. Does anyone see an issue with that?

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 12/24/2008 11:22:03 AM
Author: hoofbeats95

Date: 12/24/2008 10:32:13 AM

Author: denverappraiser

The first key to cleaning is the back side of the stone. A toothbrush works just fine. I use straight windex with it but the free stuff they give you at the mall works ok too. Anything that breaks down the grease bond will do. Glass cleaner, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, even draino works (Drain cleaner is actually really effective but it's not something you want to get on your hands and it's poisonous to boot so I recommend against this as a choice).


The second key is in the rinse. If there’s a soap film left on the top of the stone, obviously that prevents the light from both getting in and getting out. I use distilled water because the water here has lots of minerals and such and it leaves water spots when it dries. Sure as shooting there always seems to be one right in the middle of the table. In some places this is more of a problem than others and you surely know if you’re in one of them simply by looking at your dishes.


I’m a big fan of the small home steam cleaners like the jeweljet. They're easy to buy for about $100 (self promotion disclaimer: I sell 'em). I use one on almost every appraisal I do although I still go at it with the toothbrush and windex first. As with the above, I put distilled water in mine because I don’t want there to be waterspots for the pictures but it’s really only necessary if you live in a place with hard water.


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver

What is your website that I can order a jeweljet? Do you suggest that over an ultrasonic? So ideally I'd clean with a toothbrush and then the jeweljet - or the jeweljet at least once a week. Can I use that thing too much?

Canned air works just fine. Actually, the steam from the jewel jet evaporates the water very quickly and the piece mostly comes away dry.

I’m at www.gemlab.us. I don’t have a shopping cart set up for them but drop me an email and I’ll arrange to get you one.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[October2008bride]

Date: 12/23/2008 8:14:48 AM
Author: Wink
All of the petroleum based cleaners will leave a film on the diamond which enables it to get dirty again quickly.


Many of our clients use the Gem Care Products which are vegetable based. Not only do they not leave the film, but the products help to remove the tarnish that builds up on the metal of your jewelry.


Your local Jeweler may have it or can get it if you ask him to.


Wink

I use a variety of cleaners, but I wanted to say that Gem Care really is great! For me, it is the platinum polish that is my favourite. I LOVE it.

I also use the conneseurs (sorry about the butchered spelling) travel cleaner. It is the one that comes in a small, mascara-like tube with a built in brush. My rings seriously sparkle after using it!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 12/24/2008 10:54:19 AM
Author: Judah Gutwein
Chargegrrl,


''Heat it up in the microwave''!!

Are you serious?


How''s it feel/look when it comes out?

This is amazing....never heard of this one!

I heat up the water i use to make an ammonia mixture for my ultrasonic. i got the tip here on PS. Seems to work great!

 

[justjulia]

I have one of those electric tea pots and first heat the water in it to boiling (which is really fast). Then pour into the ultrasonic, adding a drop of Dawn and a splash of ammonia. The rings go in and after about 15 seconds I pull the rings out and gently use a brush to clean around the diamonds. Then place the rings back in for about a minute. I pull the basket up and out and rinse all under hot tap water in the sink. The hot rinse seems to evaporate the water pretty quickly.

I will have to try the final alcohol dip.

 

[bebe]

Just a thought here concerniong hot, hot liquid.

Putting a diamond or any stone in hot liquid scares me. Is there
a chance the stone could crack. ?

I warm my solution, not blazing hot, but warm to hot.

 

[EricaR]

I don''t think any of us are boiling our diamonds! I''m sure that water/liquid that has been heated in the microwave for 30 seconds is just fine.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 12/24/2008 7:51:47 PM
Author: bebe
Just a thought here concerniong hot, hot liquid.

Putting a diamond or any stone in hot liquid scares me. Is there
a chance the stone could crack. ?

I warm my solution, not blazing hot, but warm to hot.

Look here:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-cleaning-w-boiling-water.11092/

 

[denverappraiser]

Diamonds are spectacularly resistant to heat damage. You can point a torch directly at them to weld on the prongs and then quench them in cold water immediately without damage (not that this is a particularly good idea). Boiling water is no problem for your stone although do be careful with your fingers and be aware that there are other sorts of gemstones where this is a problem.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[tberube]

Date: 12/22/2008 10:29:13 PM
Author: LisaRN
For the ultimate WOW I use an ultrasonic cleaner with ammonia based cleaner and a really good rinse followed by a quick polish with a polishing cloth. For daily wow, I use a quick spritz of scrubbing bubbles (ammonia based) and quick rinse before work or out.


Lisa

I thought ammonia was a huge no-no???????

 

[Lynn B]

I am a spazz about keeping my stone clean, too... and one thing I have found that *seems* to make a difference is using a VARIETY of different cleaning products, methods, etc.

More products = more opportunities to be sure that certain stubborn films or other troublesome debris/dirt are removed. I have had some kind of a film on the pavilion a few times that NONE of the "typical" cleaners would TOUCH... but toothpaste? Takes it right off. Go figure!?

Just my own person (compulsive

) opinion, of course!

 

[Kelli]

I just tried dawn dish detergent and it worked great! Although I did also dip it in rubbing alcohol and then blow dry it too

I''m not sure if this is really worth the effort, considering it gets dirt/water spots so quickly again anyway, but I keep on cleaning it just the same. I do like the compressed air. I am out of it right now, but I''ve only ever seen it leave a film if you spray like half the can on it. Otherwise, it just looks clear and sparkly!