Can steam burn a diamond?

[Rose974]

This may be a stupid question but I was wondering if you can steam a diamond by holding it above a tea kettle? I posted previously that I noticed a change in my ring and it was after I steamed it. As if it got cloudier. Again it might be due to dirt
(even though I've never worn it).

 

[Acinom]

No it can not. I have to ask this: is your stone clarity enhanced?

Try this for cleaning: pour some hot boiling water in a little cup with dis washing detergent. Shake the cup a bit and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then rinse your ring and let it air dry or dry in a soft cloth. Your ring and the stone should be clean after this.

 

[arkieb1]

Not unless it was either a bad clarity enhancement or it is an old cut diamond that has been foil backed in which case you should probably avoid steaming it.

 

[yssie]

Ah, been there, tried that, regretted it! Don't worry - you didn't burn your diamond and there's no lasting damage, but you're most likely going to have to devote a good couple of hours to scrubbing

The steam itself isn't any problem unless it's an otherwise-fragile diamond, but if the interior of your kettle isn't completely (completely) free of any oils/greases/waxes/foreign substances and if the exterior of your kettle isn't completely (completely) free of any oils/greases/waxes/foreign substances that might vaporize and completely (completely) dry, and if the stovetop isn't completely (completely) free of any oils/greases/waxes/foreign substances and completely (completely) dry, you'll wind up caking the stone in a well-compacted protective layer! Based on your description and the timeline I'm confident that's the "cloudiness" you're seeing now.

Soak your ring in hot water and dish soap overnight and take a toothbrush to it tomorrow (I had good luck with toothpicks to reach under prongs, etc.)

 

[Rose974]

Thank you all for your replies!

No, My stone isn't clarity enhanced. I actually wondered it if it was but took it to an appraiser and asked on here to double check. I do think my ring is a little bit on the fragile side.

@Yssie : I think your 100% right. The kettle definitely hadn't been washed or cleaned (I'm embarrassed to admit) in a while. I don't really use it so I didn't even notice. Thank you! I am going to try what you suggested. I have cleaned it a few times since and noticed that it is a little bit better but I haven't placed it in the soap long enough. Thanks again!

BTW does anyone know if hair dryers can damage a diamond? I put it on medium and held it close to my ring, no damages but I read that too much heat from a hair dryer can make inclusions bigger or something like that?

 

[yssie]

Nope, dunno where you read that but hair dryer is fine. Good way to get rid of watermarks.
Diamond + metal is a pretty hardy combo (wrt. chemical and thermal reactions anyway).

 

[delight]

You are overworrying. What your ring needs is probably a good scrub.

 

[sparks1007]

Natural diamonds are formed under incredibly high temps and pressure. Boiling water temps will not be an issue.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Maybe just buy a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaner on ebay.

 

[denverappraiser]

Anything like normal heat does not hurt diamonds. You can actually put them under direct torch fire and they'll be fine. Not that I recommend it but you can bake them, fry them, or fricassee them and they’ll come out just fine. Avoid blast furnaces and jet engine exhaust. Even your mounting, assuming it’s made of gold or platinum, will be fine if you stay below say, 1000 degrees.

That said, the cloudy appearance usually comes from crud on the BACK of the diamond, between the prongs. Take a soft toothbrush to it with a cleanser like dish soap and see what it does. Most jewelers will clean things for free if you ask and they've got a high pressure steamer that's a bit more aggressive if you're in the neighborhood. Yssie has given you good advice above.