Jewelry cleaning maching recommendations?

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#16
so when you bring your jewelry pieces to a goldsmith to get it cleaned, the use something like this?
if the machine shakes the jewelery around, wouldnt it kind of harm it? i mean shaking it around sounds harsh! how does it work exaclty?
and are there differnt machines for different stuff like, gold. silver. gemstone. diamodns?
 
#18
madem0iselle said:
so when you bring your jewelry pieces to a goldsmith to get it cleaned, the use something like this?
if the machine shakes the jewelery around, wouldnt it kind of harm it? i mean shaking it around sounds harsh! how does it work exaclty?
and are there differnt machines for different stuff like, gold. silver. gemstone. diamodns?
Click to expand...

It all depends on what you have and what you want to do.

Tarnish remover removes tarnish from silver. Can also polish if it has an mild abrasive in it (like a paste). Silver polishing cloth also works. Gold usually doesn't tarnish but can be polished in same manner. I love using a polishing cloth!!

Cleaning dirt from most gemstones can be done with any mild solution and a soft brush. Do not do this with pearls or opals (wipe with soft cloth). Emeralds can be cleaned quickly with a very very mild solution but not soaked.

Opals are a special category and there are many opinions on their care. One thing everyone agrees on - they are super delicate!!

IMHO, ultrasonic machines should really only be used for diamonds, sapphires and rubies, and all metal jewelry. Gems that are lower/softer on the MOHS scale are riskier to clean in this method, especially if the machine heats the cleaning solution. Keep in mind that when you clean with ultrasonic, it's purpose is to dislodge & remove dirt. If your jewelry is vintage or hasn't been cleaned in a very long time, your jewels might loosen if dirt was lodged in the prongs. Also, cracks can occur in soft fragile stones.

Steaming cleans jewelry and is for same stones/metal as above (in ultrasonic discussion) for a different reason. It superheats the item and not all stones can take that kind of heat without an adverse effect, so steam with care.

I hope this helps!
 
#19
I have lost to many stones using the machines and I have the professional ones. All I do now is soak it in Windex for a while and use a very soft brush with some warm water to rinse it clean. Swanky's right about the canned air, it's fabulous for drying just make sure to not get it to close to the stone(s) since it is very cold. And no soft gems such as MOP or Pearls with Windex
 
#21
I soak mine in Gemcare (no ammonia). I usually soak my wedding rings every morning while I'm doing my makeup (10-15 minutes). If they're dirtier than that, I use a soft toothbrush with a little Gemcare (or toothpaste if I'm traveling). To get under the stone, you can use the little tiny tooth brushes that are sold with the dental floss - they're like toothpicks with a tiny mascara-type brush on them. They get right between the stone and the prongs.

The sonic machines can loosen the prongs, I believe. I prefer to clean my jewelry myself rather than putting it in a machine. I don't even let the jeweler do it most of the time, unless I've had work done.
 
#23
thanks oregonfanlisa !
i think im going to stick to cleaning it myself with pure water. =P
using a mild soap or jewelry cleaning solutions, do they make a big difference? also my items are so hard to clean theyre kind of covered i think i need to use toothpick brushes!
 
#26
Those ultrasonic machines always make me nervous that it would shake something loose.. I usually dilute my favorite washing detergent - Mama Lemon and brush my jewellery with a soft toothbrush. :tup:

When my metals start looking scuffed, I'll send my white gold to get re-plated again. :smile1:
 
#27
illinirdhd said:
I soak mine in Gemcare (no ammonia). I usually soak my wedding rings every morning while I'm doing my makeup (10-15 minutes). If they're dirtier than that, I use a soft toothbrush with a little Gemcare (or toothpaste if I'm traveling). To get under the stone, you can use the little tiny tooth brushes that are sold with the dental floss - they're like toothpicks with a tiny mascara-type brush on them. They get right between the stone and the prongs.

The sonic machines can loosen the prongs, I believe. I prefer to clean my jewelry myself rather than putting it in a machine. I don't even let the jeweler do it most of the time, unless I've had work done.
Click to expand...

:tup::tup::tup::tup::tup:

i :heart: gemcare! the solution makes my stones shine and sparkle like mad and the gemcare paste takes the tarnish right off of all the metals. i will never use anything else.
 
#28
I use ultrasonic machine and the ionic machine. I don't let my jewelry get that dirty, so I'm not worried about dirt being knocked loose from under the prongs. Also, for a quick clean, the steam from my cappucino machine works great!
 
#29
everytime i go to get my diamonds cleaned professionally the sparkle lasts for days even weeks but when i do it at home.. it last like an hour and then gets all icky and not sparkley. icky film looks like it comes up and looks all glassy/ CZ ish.. maybe its my cleaner??
 
#30
i also use the sharper image ultra sonic machine. sometimes tho i use the red jar jewelry Connoisseurs cleaner, i think that's what it's called. i just drop the items in and let them soak for a few minutes, then brush if needed and rinse. of course my pearls are just wiped after each wearing with a slightly damp washcloth...
 
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