cleaning the pavilion?

[slg47]

What is a good method for cleaning the underside of your diamond?

 

[puppylover10]

I try to clean mine once in a while by soaking in warm water and then Windex and scrubbing with a toothbrush. It doesn't really get the underside too clean though. I went to a jewelry store last night though and got it stemmed cleaned and it looks good as new so that might be the best bet...

Although, after I told my mom, she insisted that I not just walk into any random store and give them my ring anymore... I tried explaining that I don't think any jeweler would risk their reputation and business by stealing a diamond so I'm not that afraid (I did check the inscription on my band to make sure it is the same after getting it back though). But my mom insists that a shady jewler could switch out the diamond in a very short time.

Can someone chime in on how realistic or negligible the risk that someone in a jewelry store would switch out your diamond or refuse to give it back after a few minutes cleaning is? Do you think there's any negatives in going to jewelry stores to get your ring cleaned?

 

[stone-cold11]

If you have the original GIA/AGS report, with that will prove your ownership of that stone. You should easily be able to recognize your stone. It is unlikely a shady jeweler will have a CZ that matches exactly the dimensions, performance and facet patterning of your stone, on hand to switch it. If you are anal about it, ask the jeweler to do a inclusion mapping of the stone, confirm it together with the report then hand it over to him to steam it and once you get it back confirm the inclusions are where it is again.

 

[manderz]

All that, just for a cleaning though?I'd rather hand it over and just watch.

 

[puppylover10]

Yea I don't think I could ask for all that if a jewelry is doing a free cleaning. I'd feel too bad for the trouble. Maybe I'm naive but I'm just not that worried that a jeweler would switch out the diamond.

 

[LGK]

Best bet is to establish a relationship with a local jeweler and work with them as much as possible for small stuff like cleaning etc. Look for someone with a well established business that you have a good rapport with. In that case, I'd say the risk during cleaning of switching out a stone is really negligible. Insurance is your friend, too, so if your ring is properly insured you could perhaps just decide to not worry about it. Really the risk of a reputable, established jeweler swapping out a stone is very, very low.

 

[MarkBroumand]

Best bet is to establish a relationship with a local jeweler and work with them as much as possible for small stuff like cleaning etc.

This is good advice. Especially for the bottom and all those in between places there's nothing better than a little steam. So find a local jeweler whom you could build a relationship and trust with, and you'll end up feeling much better about the whole thing.