Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't clean?

[UberClaire]

I have an AVC, and I've found that even the tiniest bit of dirt/grease/gunk on the ring makes the whole thing look dull and unimpressive. I was in a jewelry store this past weekend and my ring didn't even look good under their lights.

I've noticed a whitish, hard gunk that is adherent to my diamond/setting right below the girdle of the diamond where it fits into the basket. No matter what I've tried, I can't get that off. The bottom of the diamond also looks cloudy when I look up through the basket. I've tried a home sonic cleaner with jewelry cleaner, dawn and hot water, those diamond dazzle sticks, and hydrogen peroxide. Should I take it to be professionally cleaned and hope they can get this gross junk off my ring?

 

[FireMonkey]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Have you tried hot water? I mean, screaming hot? Sometimes the gunk will actually dissolve/loosen enough in hot water to allow it to be ultra-sonic'd or brushed out. That, followed by a dip in rubbing alcohol, always works for my diamonds. They look fresh-from-the-jeweler brilliant. Good luck!

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Have you tried hot water? I mean, screaming hot? Sometimes the gunk will actually dissolve/loosen enough in hot water to allow it to be ultra-sonic'd or brushed out. That, followed by a dip in rubbing alcohol, always works for my diamonds. They look fresh-from-the-jeweler brilliant. Good luck!

I work in a lab, so today I actually boiled my rings in water with Dawn for five minutes and ended with a 95% ethanol bath for five minutes. All of the crap is still there.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

I can't imagine what is on your diamond! But you'll probably have to get it professionally cleaned. Once it is clean, then I'd take the rings off before doing anything that could get gunk on them, and soak them every night in jewelry cleaner or dawn and hot water. That's what I do and it doesn't really give the ring a chance to collect any gunk. I have found through experience (several setting changes) that I prefer settings that allow me to reach the pavilion of the stone to clean it. Because the pavilion just sometimes has to be brushed to clean it well. I'll look and see if you have another thread showing your setting.

 

[FireMonkey]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Well, damn. You're way ahead of the game, then. Like diamondseeker, I can't imagine what's taken up residence in your setting. Hmmmmm...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Okay, I did. Can you not get a brush up under that basket from the bottom?

 

[UberClaire]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Okay, I did. Can you not get a brush up under that basket from the bottom?

I've done it before with a toothbrush, I just don't think it's 100% effective. I'm way more bothered by the white crusty stuff on the sides though! I always try to take my rings off before applying lotion or hair products or anything like that, but they may just need a good deep clean at the jewelers (it has been a year since I had them professionally cleaned).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Recently I was visiting another city and went to a jewelry store that has great jewelry and even carries some Single Stone rings. My diamond was cleaned that morning but it looked a little frosty in the jewelry store lighting. It drove me crazy because I was trying on bands and I hated seeing my diamond not looking its best. So I asked the sales associate if she would clean it, so she put it in their ultrasonic. When she brought it back, it looked no better. Later that day I sent Jonathan an email to ask why my diamond would have that appearance even after it was cleaned. He said it sounded like it was dirty and needed to be cleaned with a brush. Well, he was exactly right! As soon as I used a brush with the warm water and Dawn or window cleaner, it made my diamond look like new again! I just wanted to tell you this because even the jeweler's ultrasonic did not clean my AVR well! It sounds like you are going to have to get something that will fit in that space to clean the gunk off the diamond.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Okay, I did. Can you not get a brush up under that basket from the bottom?

Basket settings are PITB to clean!... especially smaller baskets like my DD's .25ct are the worse..

 

[ame]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Can you send it to GOG and have them maybe try to extract whatever it is?

 

[momhappy]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

I realize that your issue sounds like it might need some professional help, but just wanted to share this:
http://www.amazon.com/Connoisseurs-1050-Diamond-Dazzle-Stik/dp/B00459VM6I/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1407437629&sr=8-7&keywords=jewelry+sparkle+stick
These are sort of like paintbrushes, so they are great for cleaning under & around settings. I doubt that they will help to remove the gunk you currently have, but maybe once you get that figured out, it might be good for every day maintenance.
Also, Mr. Clean is great for cleaning my diamonds - for stubborn dirt/gunk (like sunscreen, etc), I heat up a mug of Mr. Clean in the microwave, let my rings soak for a little bit, and then scrub them gently with a toothbrush.

 

[motownmama]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

She used the diamond d dazzle stick

 

[momhappy]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

^My apologies - I missed that part in her original post.

 

[drk14]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Is there possibly a UV/Ozone cleaner in your lab or maybe in a lab down the hall?

Disclaimer: I don't know if this method will cause any damage to your diamond or setting, but it's an excellent technique for removing organic contaminants to get a substrate clean to atomic level. The linked site does indicate that diamond and metal are substrates that can be used, but YMMV.

 

[sarahb]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Among the normal techniques, I also use my electric toothbrush! I have one brush head that I use on my jewelry, another for my teeth. I found it works great on my smaller pave bands. I clean whatever I wear everyday, so they don't really accrue 'gunk'. I also use the steam wand on my espresso machine, which is unreal- the difference with steam added is amazing. I bet once you get that ring in for a professional cleaning, it brighten right up!! Then it'll be easy to maintain!

 

[HopeDream]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Would blasting it with a waterpik help?

 

[Brit]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

It could be hard water scale. Since I do everything with my rings on and I have super hard water, their weekly spa treatment includes a soak in hot hot water and vinegar for at least 10 minutes. Then I give them a good scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and dish soap, then finish with an alcohol scrub. Keeps them super sparkly clean.

 

[svf72]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Have you tried a toothpick/brush/flosser to gently scrub under the prongs? I was told to use this toothpick brush to help floss between my teeth before I had them fixed and had some left over. When my diamond and prongs got oil in them (I forgot to take my ring off after cleaning the roasting pan from my roast dinner that night!) I found it perfect for getting under and around the prongs - just use it gently with hot water and dishwashing liquid. But it works better than a toothbrush and when the bottom of my diamond gets dirty and cloudy, it brings it up to sparkling. Also, I use a "sparkle Cleaning Plate' that you use with near boiling water and washing soda crystals.

You get a non metallic container, put the silver plate in, put your jewellery on top and add a couple of tablespoons of the soda crystals and then the water. It bubbles away for a while but I let it just stand there for 10-15 minutes, then take out the ring, gently clean under the prongs with the toothpick brush and give it a good long rinse - and the ring looks brand new and shiny.

 

[msop04]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Among the normal techniques, I also use my electric toothbrush! I have one brush head that I use on my jewelry, another for my teeth. I found it works great on my smaller pave bands. I clean whatever I wear everyday, so they don't really accrue 'gunk'. I also use the steam wand on my espresso machine, which is unreal- the difference with steam added is amazing. I bet once you get that ring in for a professional cleaning, it brighten right up!! Then it'll be easy to maintain!

HA! I do the same thing -- great for around claw prongs and pave! (only I don't clean them every day -- new resolution!)
I also do the Mr. Clean in screamin' hot water (from the microwave), and it's been pretty dang effective. The alcohol rinse works well as a final step (I use a strong spray bottle to get under the basket).

 

[msop04]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

Also, using a cleaning duster (the spray cans used for keyboards) is amazing -- NO MORE SPOTS!

 

[HopeDream]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

FYI
Anyone can use the "sparkle plate" untarnishing trick at home with aluminum foil, hot water and baking soda. Just make sure the water stays hot to keep the reaction going.
It's easy basic chemistry: http://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/electrochemistry19_4.html

You can also turn baking soda into washing soda by heating it in the oven http://hollythehomemaker.blogspot.ca/2013/05/how-to-make-washing-soda-redux.html. Washing soda will make the untarnishing reaction faster.

UberClaire: Any luck with the gunk?

 

[OoohShiny]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

FYI
Anyone can use the "sparkle plate" untarnishing trick at home with aluminum foil, hot water and baking soda. Just make sure the water stays hot to keep the reaction going.
It's easy basic chemistry: http://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/electrochemistry19_4.html

You can also turn baking soda into washing soda by heating it in the oven http://hollythehomemaker.blogspot.ca/2013/05/how-to-make-washing-soda-redux.html. Washing soda will make the untarnishing reaction faster.

UberClaire: Any luck with the gunk?

Science is so useful!

 

[Aliera]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl



I work in a lab, so today I actually boiled my rings in water with Dawn for five minutes and ended with a 95% ethanol bath for five minutes. All of the crap is still there.

Chemist here, why would you boil in a surfactant then use 95% ethanol?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Re: Dirt/gunk between the girdle and setting that I can't cl

It could be hard water scale. Since I do everything with my rings on and I have super hard water, their weekly spa treatment includes a soak in hot hot water and vinegar for at least 10 minutes. Then I give them a good scrubbing with a soft toothbrush and dish soap, then finish with an alcohol scrub. Keeps them super sparkly clean.

thanks for the viniger tip
we have very hard water and sometimes i think soaking it makes it worse than before i started

 

[boxbits]

We have hard water too so I use bottled or distilled water to clean my jewelry.

 

[Karl_K]

Professional steam cleaning would be the next step.
If that does not remove it unseating the diamond and an acid bath.

 

[Stephan]

Does the diamond actually touch the basket?
I have such a ring, it's impossible to go between the diamond and the basket with a toothbrush.
It makes a VS1 look like a SI1 or worse when tilting the ring, you can see a half circle of clouds inside the table when using a loupe.

 

[whitewave]

Old thread but someone once told me to try CLR lol

 

[Arcadian]

For small stuff like that? Small spoolie or dental pick

Amazon.com: DenTek Easy Brush Interdental Cleaners, Mint, 16 Count | 3 Pack: Beauty

Amazon.com: DenTek Easy Brush Interdental Cleaners, Mint, 16 Count | 3 Pack: Beauty

www.amazon.com

 

[Demon]

Those look handy for lots of things.