Heat Treated Jewellery

[chrono]

I can''t believe what I did this weekend. When I come home, I usually put my rings in a small cotton bag (1.5" x 1.5"), then put the bag on my dresser. Well, I forgot to put in on the dresser and instead left it in my work pants. Well, guess what? I put my work pants in the washer, then the dryer. I spent all Saturday looking for my ER, wondering where I left it when the though suddenly hit me. Oh NO!

I think my EC is okay. It should be safe for diamonds right? I mean, are diamonds are tough enough to withstand some hot water, soap and some heat? What about my pink spinel? It went through the same thing. I checked it thoroughly and didn''t see any scratches or cracks. So, is my spinel now considered "heat treated"?

 

[Love in Bloom]

I remember overhearing our repairman say the maximum internal temp of most clothes dryers should 200 degrees F if nothing is wrong with the sensors (we called him in b/c all settings were really hot). This was about 4 years ago and I don''t know if the max temp has changed since then. Is 200 F high enough to warrant heat treatment?

 

[denverappraiser]

The heat treatment process uses temperatures MUCH higher than you dryer can attain. Depending on the process they are using, it can get as high as 1600C and maintain it for many hours to get the desired effect. Both your diamond and your spinel will be fine.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[JohnQuixote]

Your dryer does get hot enough to influence the color of chocolate and the pants in which they were left.

 

[Love in Bloom]

Date: 6/25/2007 10:47:12 AM
Author: JohnQuixote
Your dryer does get hot enough to influence the color of chocolate and the pants in which they were left.

LOL...gum too. I think bubblemint bleaches pants

 

[chrono]

Date: 6/25/2007 10:47:12 AM
Author: JohnQuixote
Your dryer does get hot enough to influence the color of chocolate and the pants in which they were left.

John,
I don't quite understand your statement. I expect the chocolate to make a mess in the wash, and dry up in gunks.

LiB,
Gum would be very messy indeed when washed and dried.

Would my spinel be considered "gently" heated?

My diamond did come out very sparkly indeed but what a heart attack I had. I hope I'll remember not to do it again.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/25/2007 11:11:25 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 6/25/2007 10:47:12 AM
Author: JohnQuixote
Your dryer does get hot enough to influence the color of chocolate and the pants in which they were left.

John,
I don't quite understand your statement. I expect the chocolate to make a mess in the wash, and dry up in gunks.

I've seen that too. Maybe it depends on chocolate sourcing (love that Belgian choco). Either way I'm in trouble with the lady of the house.

 

[chrono]

That''s for sure. I go ballistic when I find scraps of USED tissue paper in the dryer. Hubby has a bad habit of leaving them in his pockets. I hate the thought of all that nose snot and germs being washed with all my unmentionables, then tossed together in the dryer.

In addition, I have to deal with all the itty bitty pieces stuck to the clothes when I''m trying to fold them.

 

[Independent Gal]

O. M. G.

Glad it turned out ok, Chrono. What a nightmare!