Placing ring in boiling water?

[cKone]

Hello, I just wanted to find out if it would be okay to put a ring in boiling water for say 5 minutes? Is there any chance for the diamond to fracture or break or to damage the setting? Does it matter if it is prong set or tension set? Thanks for all your help.

 

[mrsv]

No it should not, some people clean stones in boiling water and a small amount of detergent. Why do you ask about five minutes?

 

[Circe]

I don''t know why, but I have this image of you proposing with a cup of nice hot tea, in a cunning twist on the "ring in a glass of champagne" presentations.

Putting the ring in boiling water should be perfectly safe - like Mrs.V says, it''s basically how a lot of people clean their rings, and not dissimilar to steaming them, which is another common technique.

 

[denverappraiser]

No problem for diamonds, for gold, or for platinum but don't try this with pearls, opals and a fair number of other things. Maybe not so good for fingers either. I’m with the above in wondering why you ask.

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

 

[BriBee]

I remember my mom cleaning her rings like that, in boiling water with a little detergent, maybe even Mr. Clean...? I would caution you to stay and watch the ring though. One time my mom walked away and totally forgot about her rings, and they ended up burning somehow. I think the water level was low and maybe it all boiled off or something. The rings were fine, she just had to scrape some black gunk off them, maybe from the soap burning. I was young and don''t remember the details, I just know that I''d never walk away from the jewelry after seeing that.

 

[MMT]

Is this for cleaning purposes?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Never boil on the stove etc incase you get distracted and it boils dry.

As niel says - just diamonds and gmetals - boil water and 1/2 fill cup with a dash of ammmonia and detergent. Scrub with toothbrush and rinse and dry really well.

 

[Inanna]

Would this cleaning technique be ok for sapphires? What about rings with diamond micropave? Thanks!

 

[kmci]

I was told to leave mine on to do the washing up because the detergent dissolves grease etc. which is what builds up on your rings and makes them dirty. The other thing I was told was to put washing up detergent in a glass with boiling water and put my rings in that to clean them.... don''t know how long your supposed to leave it, I just do it until I can get them out without burning my fingers, or even overnight.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 11/14/2008 6:31:28 PM
Author: kmci
I was told to leave mine on to do the washing up because the detergent dissolves grease etc. which is what builds up on your rings and makes them dirty. The other thing I was told was to put washing up detergent in a glass with boiling water and put my rings in that to clean them.... don''t know how long your supposed to leave it, I just do it until I can get them out without burning my fingers, or even overnight.

They only need be in for a few seconds - keep toothbrush handy - swill around a little and pluck out with the brush

Sapphires and rubbies and most other gems can go in when it has cooled enough to hold your finger in for a few seconds.
Emeralds - never - the heat and solvents will remove any oil that is likely in the emerald - just give them a quick scrub and rinse with the warm solution and rinse in warm water (never really hot)