Cleaning diamonds with air pressure cleaners

[Isabelle]

What does the group think of using one of those canisters of compressed air used to clean computer keyboards as a method to clean a diamond in a typical prong setting with platinum? I did this to my e-ring once or twice after cleaning it with Sparkle and then steam cleaning it. I waited until the ring was no longer hot from the steam. In fact, I waited a whole day before using the canister. Still, I noticed how cold the stone and the metal got after the air pressure cleaning. Is this dangerous for a diamond?

 

[kenny]

I like compressed air.

I clean my diamonds with isopropyl alcohol and a brush being sure that I brush hard enough so the alcohol (which is now contaminated with gunk) gets splattered away into the sink.
Then I refill the brush with clean IA and repeat.
I repeat 4 or 5 times.

Then I like to blow away that last IA (which by then contains very little contamination) with compressed air.

If you leave the fluid to dry on the stone (even if you use a cloth to dry it) some liquid will be trapped in the nooks and crannies.
When it evaporates some gunk that was suspended in the cleaning fluid will leave a film on your diamond.
Even clean tap water can leave a film of minerals.

 

[Isabelle]

Thanks for the tip. It is very frustrating to spend so much time cleaning your diamond and then find film on it. Hate that.

 

[stone-cold11]

Should not be a problem as diamond is one of the best conductors of heat around. There will not be any strong temperature gradient developed during the blow drying.

 

[kenny]

My technique works beatfiully on our rings, which are tension set.

They have no nooks and crannies.

If you have a very intricate setting you may want to soak it first or use an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Isabelle]

Date: 6/29/2010 6:17:47 PM
Author: kenny
My technique works beatfiully on our rings, which are tension set.


They have no nooks and crannies.


If you have a very intricate setting you may want to soak it first or use an ultrasonic cleaner.

Thanks Stone and Kenny. I avoid the Ultrasonic b/c I am afraid of it loosening settings. I know this is controversial. I have found that Sparkle spray cleaner works the best. I first spray on the Sparkle and then brush lightly with a soft toothbrush. Then I steam it. Then I rinse. Then I steam again. Then I blow dry. Then, sometimes, like the next morning, I use the compressed air canister, and boy does that seem to work. BUT, I was afraid that the shot of cold air on the diamond could damage it. Any risk of that if you went straight from steam to dryer to air canister? One extreme to another probably wouldn''t be a good idea at all, right?? (I wouldn''t do it out of fear, but I would like to hear opinions on that).

 

[yssie]

Compressed air sounds like a great idea - I probably wouldn''t do it right after steaming, though. Just to be safe. Though, logically, the diamond has survived a whole lot more so it should be fine..

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 6/29/2010 6:17:07 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Should not be a problem as diamond is one of the best conductors of heat around. There will not be any strong temperature gradient developed during the blow drying.

Said it already, should not be enough of a temp gradient to cause any thermal shock worse that it has not experienced during the polishing phase.

 

[Isabelle]

Thanks guys. I am still afraid to try it. LOL!

 

[Isabelle]

BTW Stone, you would never use air pressure canister on Tanzanite, right? Too much temperature shock I assume?