Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Cleaning Fine Jewelry

Wed Mar 28 09:51:42 EDT 2007
Since we already covered pearl care and how to clean a strand of
pearls, I thought it was high time to cover diamond care.

Here are the best ways to clean these gems, from the experts at Modern
Jeweler:

Professional Cleaning:

This is the best option and also gives you the opportunity to have
your jeweler check your diamond's mounting to make sure prongs or
other settings are secure.

Cold Water Soak:

A mixture of half cold water and household ammonia will work well if
your ring or diamond jewelry is allowed to soak for 30 minutes. Lift
your jewelry out and clean gently aroudn the front and back of the
mounting with a small, soft brush. Give the ring a second swish
through the solution and let dry on a paper towel. No rinsing is
necessary.

Over-the-Counter Cleaners:

Ask your jeweler for a liquid jewelry cleaner made especially for
diamonds and follow the instructions on the label. A good cleaner is
designed to remove loose dirt and dissolve any oils or residue on the
stone.

Detergent Bath:

The simplest cleaning method for your diamond is to soak your jewelry
in a small bowl of warm, sudsy water combined with any mild liquid
detergent. Use a toothbrush and gently brush the ring around the
setting while it's in the water. Put the ring in a fine wire strainer
and rinse under warm running water. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free
cloth.

Ultrasonic Cleaning:

This method involves a special machine that uses a high-frequency
vibration to clean the ring. The ring is enclosed in a small cup with
cleaning solution and in just a minute, any dirt and oils are removed.
Buy a professional grade cleaner for best results.

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