Dusty/Dirty versus Included Diamond

[tiffanylover83]

I know the best answer is to go to the jewelers and have it looked at, but for the time being thought I'd ask the knowledgeable people on PS. My diamond ring is an estate piece so it only came with an appraisal from the seller, 2 ct cushion rated as VS2 but no diagram showing inclusions. It is an extremely low setting in a four prong, no space between the diamond and setting at its bottom. Initially it was eye clean to both myself, FI, and two independent jewelers we had look at it to verify stats. I clean it once a week with connoisseurs jewelry cleaner and otherwise don't fuss with it much. Lately I've been noticing a dusty, cloudy appearance in the center of the stone when viewed up close, maybe 3-4 inches away. Thought it was dirty but cleaning didn't seem to help much. I have a pretty open setting so I don't think much dirt/dust can be trapped. I've stopped cleaning it as I thought it may be the culprit. Any thoughts?

 

[HopeDream]

Can you take it to a jeweller, show them the problem area, and have it the ring steam and ultrasonicly cleaned?

Some grime is just tougher than dip-in jewellery cleaner. Have you scrubbed the stone with a baby toothbrush?

good luck

 

[ecf8503]

I use Connoisseurs too, and I think it does leave a film. I also have a cushion, and I''ve noticed that sometimes there are water spots on the large facets on the pavillion that can give it a dirty appearance. I don''t think it is included - esp if it was clean to you and the jeweler when it was purchased. Maybe take it to a jeweler and have it steam cleaned and see if that makes the haziness go away. I''ve started using pure water in my ultrasonic and the using a really small pointed cotton swab to get under the stone and wipe the pavillion dry and it seems to help a lot! I think maybe the ammonia in the Connoissers may be to blame, as my cushion still had that "residue" when I use ammonia in the ultrasonic.

 

[Todd Gray]

It definitely sounds like a professional cleaning is in order. Sometimes deposits and gunk get trapped underneath a diamond and it is too complex for commercially available cleaners to dissolve.

 

[tiffanylover83]

Thanks for your replies, I have scrubbed it with a brush and stopped using tap water but they haven''t helped much. I really think it is some residue build up from the cleaner. Unfortunately I have very delicate micropave work on my band so I can''t use an ultrasonic (when the jewler did use it once two stones popped out), not sure if they would steam clean it either?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/4/2010 1:04:15 PM
Author: Todd Gray
It definitely sounds like a professional cleaning is in order. Sometimes deposits and gunk get trapped underneath a diamond and it is too complex for commercially available cleaners to dissolve.

Ditto.

 

[crisnpearl]

have you tried using dish washing detergent and baby soft bristle toothbrush?
this is how I clean, 1 squint of dish washing detergent mixed with warm water, soak the ring in for 20 minutes then scrub with the soft bristle toothbrush. it''s worked pretty well for me, however i suppose you cannot scrub too hard because of the micropave?

do you have a jewelers loupe? maybe if you see it under 10X magnification you could better determine whether there''s an inclusion in the stone?

if all else fails professional clean, apparently you are meant to do it once a year anyway