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Will it damage a sapphire ring if you soak it in freshly-boiled water?

S

Squirrels

Rough_Rock
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Apr 8, 2018
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I've got a sapphire ring (with 2 diamonds on either side), set in platinum. I've cleaned it a few times by pouring freshly-boiled water into a little pot, adding dish-washing liquid and then soaking the ring for various times, anything from a few minutes to a few hours. I then give it a gentle scrub with a toothbrush and rinse with warm water. I thought that was OK but now I'm worried I may have damaged the sapphire by using boiled water. It *looks* OK from what i can see with a naked eye, but now I'm a bit paranoid! Can anyone chime in?

Thank you in advance :-)
 
Is boiling water a poor man's heat treatment to improve the sapphire's color?
Just kidding. :mrgreen:

Seriously, I'm no help. :((
 
Hot water may not be a great idea; if you find your stone isn't as clean as you might like, there are other detergents that might give you the result you want, and won't risk damage. Have you tried other cleaning products but didn't feel they were effective?
 
You won't have damaged it, but often people will recommend you don't clean stones with water at boiling point because some stones (usually emeralds, sometimes spinels or paraiba tourmaline) have natural surface reaching cracks and when this happens there may be some treatment with a filler substance to improve the stones clarity. So its common to avoid putting rings in various harsh chemical cleaning substances and boiling point water. Some dishwashing liquid a toothbrush and warm water is probably enough to get all the grime off your rings. I actually use an emulsifying oil cleanser as the grime is mostly from oil off my skin, and oil cleansers are good at dissolving oil.
 
It’s not necessary to use boiling water.
You just need a soak in warm water with a dab of liquid soap. Then using a soft toothbrush gently scrub underneath and around prongs. Rinse under running water using the toothbrush. Note - make sure plug in sink and you clean over a soft cloth, in case you accidentally drop it.
Air dry somewhere safe.
I also use a silver polishing cloth to buff the metal work.
 
qubitasaurus said:
You won't have damaged it, but often people will recommend you don't clean stones with water at boiling point because some stones (usually emeralds, sometimes spinels or paraiba tourmaline) have natural surface reaching cracks and when this happens there may be some treatment with a filler substance to improve the stones clarity. So its common to avoid putting rings in various harsh chemical cleaning substances and boiling point water. Some dishwashing liquid a toothbrush and warm water is probably enough to get all the grime off your rings. I actually use an emulsifying oil cleanser as the grime is mostly from oil off my skin, and oil cleansers are good at dissolving oil.
Click to expand...

That sounds awesome! Which cleanser do you use?
 
windblownhair said:
That sounds awesome! Which cleanser do you use?
Click to expand...

I use locitane almond shower oil. I mainly chose this one because I like showering with it and my life is a bit too chaotic for me to be able to buy stuff primarily for looking after my rings :lol-2: . I think it does help that it bubbles a decent amount though. I tried using up some DHC cleansing oil on my rings a while ago and it wasn't as effective.

I have a bad habit of sampling these things when I am traveling; I get the concierge to give me a bottle of everything and try them out on my rings for fun. The locitane almond shower oil isnt quite the best Ive found but it is pretty good.
 
LilAlex said:
I like something with retinol and ceramide to help keep my sapphire fresh and young-looking. And SPF always if you are wearing it outdoors!
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Lol I was hoping the ring would be a bit lower maintenance than me personally :lol-2: . Although now that you mention it, it does get a coat of sunscreen almost every morning :roll:.
 
So, I don't know about any treatments on your sapphire, and if you do you will NOT want to do this.

I use d'limonene which is one hell of a degreaser (also smells really good) dr. bronner's sal suds in warm water. a quick brush all over, and a rinse. I then dry with a lint free cloth. I do not soak colored stones.

I only use a couple of drops of each in about 8oz of water. no need to do more than that.

However I would not do this with stones that are oiled, filled, or opals.
 
Thank you ever so much everyone! You've been super helpful and I really appreciate it :-) I won't be soaking it in freshly-boiled water anymore. It *looks* OK so hopefully it is, but I won't risk it again. TYSM again!
 
Alcohol swabs are good for cleaning the surface if non porous gems. I just found out! I don’t know if I’d soak it in alcohol though
 
T L said:
Alcohol swabs are good for cleaning the surface if non porous gems. I just found out! I don’t know if I’d soak it in alcohol though
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I read decently the Queen cleans her jewlery in gin (well probably her dresser Angela Kelly does it)
 
Daisys and Diamonds said:
I read decently the Queen cleans her jewlery in gin (well probably her dresser Angela Kelly does
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I think Gerrards, the official royal jeweler, maintains her collection. There’s also special people that care for the Crown Jewels of course.
 

@windblownhair, what are the stones in your profile pic? Are they tourmalines? They're gorgeous.​

 
T L said:
I think Gerrards, the official royal jeweler, maintains her collection. There’s also special people that care for the Crown Jewels of course.
Click to expand...

I promise i didn't just make it up
i mean i have no doubt HM uses Gerrards for major work and maintenance but she used Ms Kelly where other people use an ultra sonic ;)2
This book was written with the permission of HM
people.com

The Queen's Dressmaker Reveals She Uses Gin to Clean the Royal Jewels

Angela Kelly, the Queen's style advisor and dressmaker, shares unusual cleaning tips in her new book
people.com people.com
 
pearlsngems said:
This is what I prefer as well.
Click to expand...

I started using it after someone here on the forum recommended it years ago...It might have even been you!! :D
 
Daisys and Diamonds said:
I promise i didn't just make it up
i mean i have no doubt HM uses Gerrards for major work and maintenance but she used Ms Kelly where other people use an ultra sonic ;)2
This book was written with the permission of HM
people.com

The Queen's Dressmaker Reveals She Uses Gin to Clean the Royal Jewels

Angela Kelly, the Queen's style advisor and dressmaker, shares unusual cleaning tips in her new book
people.com people.com
Click to expand...

I bet vodka would work too!! You learn something new everyday!
 
I have this page bookmarked for cleaning, if I ever do it. :oops2:

www.gemsociety.org

Gemstone Care Guide - International Gem Society

Our gemstone care guide covers many popular gems. Learn how best to maintain your gemstone jewelry and what kinds of stresses and cleaning methods to avoid.
www.gemsociety.org www.gemsociety.org
 
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