What is the best way...

luvleyles Posted: Feb 17, 2003 01:39 PM

What is the best way...

to clean our rings? Thanks!

JennRenee Posted: Feb 17, 2003 01:40 PM

Re: What is the best way...

I use plain old jewelry cleaner, and try to have them steamed at the jeweler once a month.

Diane Posted: Feb 17, 2003 01:42 PM

Re: What is the best way...

I use the jewelry cleaner too

shamma Posted: Feb 17, 2003 01:42 PM

Re: What is the best way...

If you have a cappucino machine that works too We got a cleaner from Zales it works fine, with a soft toothbrush. That's all

aliasPook Posted: Feb 17, 2003 02:21 PM

Re: What is the best way...

I use toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. I checked it out before I did it, it seems to be completely safe and my ring looks great afterwards.

Val R. Posted: Feb 17, 2003 08:07 PM

Re: What is the best way...

Plain old ammonia works too! Used to soak rings in perm solution when I was a hairdresser, & it has ammonia, so I tried that & they come out really nice!

susans Posted: Feb 17, 2003 10:45 PM

Re: What is the best way...

I use a cappucino machine once a week!!

And I do a daily soak in windex (ammonia) mixed with water and a bit of dishwashing soap
(3 parts water/1 part windex)

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 18, 2003 08:06 AM

Re: What is the best way...

I remember a few months ago, a girl on the boards whose Dad is a jeweler recommended NOT using ammonia to clean your rings....she said the cumulative effect is basically that is destroys and deteriorates your ring over time.

I just use plain old soap and water or jewelry cleaner.

susans Posted: Feb 18, 2003 09:09 AM

Re: What is the best way...

My jeweler told me it's perfectly fine to use ammonia, was long as it's diluted. And it won't deteriorate platinum in the least.
Don't know if that holds true for white gold, but if you look at the ingredients in store bought jewelry cleaners, most of them are ammonia based as well.

I trust he wouldn't tell me to do anything harmful to my ring. He's also the one who gave me clearance on the cappucino machine.

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 18, 2003 09:31 AM

Re: What is the best way...

Well, since I'm not the expert, I don't know for sure. I know you are right about the diluted ammonia, b/c I'm certain jewelry cleaners have it - it's just that it's already diluted. You shouldn't use straight ammonia, tho.

But, I don't know about the platinum thing b/c being the purest metal, it's also the softest. Yellow and white 14K are actually more durable than platinum.

The cappucino machine steam thing sounds great! I wish I had one! LOL!

susans Posted: Feb 18, 2003 09:48 AM

Re: What is the best way...

Platinum is soft in a sense that it scratches easily, but it's the stongest in a sense that it's actually more durable long term than gold.
When gold is scratched you actully lose a bit of the metal. So over time, gold actually starts to wear thin.
Platinum, when scratches, is displaced, but it doesn't actully wear off.
That's why jewelers will always recommend that a rings prongs be platinum, even if the ring is gold, because platinum is harder and will hold a diamond more securely.

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 18, 2003 10:01 AM

Re: What is the best way...

Yes, susan...I am aware of that. Know it all! LOL.

Valenia Posted: Feb 18, 2003 10:07 AM

Re: What is the best way...

My father works in the Diamond District, and the person I bought my rings from (who is a friend of the family and owns a fancy store also on 47th) says that they use regular fantastick to soak the rings. They have steamers, but at home you can use a soft toothbrush to scrub, run under hot water, and then under cold water. Voila, sparkly ring!

susans Posted: Feb 18, 2003 11:05 AM

Re: What is the best way...

another jeweler I just asked said that for gold and white gold, the ammonia is best diluted 10:1 or even 15:1.
So I guess my 3:1 solution wouldn't be best for everyone...