Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
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Cleaning Gold and Diamonds
Q. Please, could you tell me what can be used to clean gold and diamonds, I have a ring I try to clean, but nothing really has made it sparkle.
Thank you,
- Nanaimo, BC, Canada
A. I don't know of the long term effects, but my wife uses our Aquafresh (whitening, though it probably makes no difference) toothpaste to clean her ring. It is white gold, a diamond and two sapphires. It looks great after she cleans it!
Good luck!
- Montpelier, Vermont
Q. Hi,
My mother bought me a gorgeous solitaire diamond necklace in a bezel setting in white gold. The white gold chain is looking a little bit dark. I want to clean it - I usually clean the diamond necklace in a pyrex dish of ammonia
[on
eBay or
Amazon], but this really cleans the diamond (and let me tell you, it cleans it excellently. you don't have to add water -- just enough ammonia to cover the entire necklace). ANYWAY, this is only cleaning the diamond, not the white gold chain. How do I get the white gold chain clean without hurting the diamond?
I heard toothpaste was bad news.
Thank you!
Liz Claiborne - New York, New York
Q. Is toothpaste bad for gold jewelry? Will it harm any stones in the jewelry?
Jayme GeorgeDesigner - Collinsville, Illinois
2006
Q. My Wife had two 14 kt. gold rings, one with CZs and the other with a diamond. I want to clean these and give them to my daughter and grandaughter, what is the best and safest (for the stones) way to do this.
GEORGE COGSWELL- Canoga Park , California
2007
Ultrasonic Cleaner
on
Amazon
(affil links)
A. I was shocked while shopping at the jewelry counter of a department store last week, to learn that some of the traditionally semi-precious stones they use like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds are no longer real stones, or at least have an extra coating added to them. They warn to be careful cleaning them and only with a jeweler's advice because the brilliance of the color is now just a coating, it doesn't run through the stones! This is not related to your question, George, but I mention it to preface my usual response that -- except for pearl and glued jewelry -- you have little worry of normal cleaning solution hurting a stone; apparently we can't count on that conventional wisdom anymore.
I don't understand what jewelry stores think they are selling if not heirlooms :-(
-- Few of us are pimps looking for a thin coating of bling for a photoshoot; if what they're selling won't last decades, I don't want it.
Anyway, [on
eBay or
Amazon] and cleaning solutions are available for $30 - $60, and that's the way to go as it will remove the dirt and grime in tiny corners you won't be able to reach even with a toothpick or Q-tip
[affil links]. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007
A. I have had good results using simple baking soda [on
eBay or
Amazon]
.
Fill clean, de-mineralised water in a wide vessel. Add baking soda (not powder mind you!) and stir. Place the gold or diamond jewellery in it overnight.
Wash it with fresh water and allow it to air dry. This removes all the grime and sweat based dirt.
To make it (gold or diamond) shine, wet a micro fibre cloth with lighter fluid or diesel and wipe it gently.
It will have a characteristic odor of fuel. Air dry it overnight or gently warm it with a hair drier.
This works for real precious stones. I wouldn't try it on artificial stones.
- New York, New York, USA
November 30, 2016
Ed. note: Readers should also keep in mind that pearls are not stones.
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