Ionic Cleaning for Gemstone Jewelry?

[GemView]

Hello all,

Not long ago I bought my first morganite jewelry only to encounter the problem of keeping morganite clean (seems the rumors around here about morganite being an "oil magnet" are true). At any rate, despite being fastidious with my existing method of cleaning by hand with a plant-based jewelry cleaner and a brush (Caribbean brand), the stone fogged up forcing me to rethink my methods.

Truth be told, it's been years since I have changed up my method of cleaning jewelry but since it's not realistic to drop in to a jeweler on a weekly basis for a professional cleaning — which is what it took to get my morganite ring looking new again — I am looking to improve my options at home.

I stumbled across an ionic cleaner, which unlike an ultrasonic machine is supposedly is safe for all gemstones, even soft stones like opals. From the Speedbrite website:

"Speedbrite Ionic Jewelry Cleaners work by electrolysis. Ions are attached to dirt and grease rather than metals and stones. Surface tension is reduced permitting dirt, tarnish and oxidation to be lifted away from jewelry or other metal pieces with gentle bubbles without abrasion. No metal is lost. Stones are safely cleaned without potentially damaging friction, heat or abrasion that other cleaners produce. Rinsing and drying after immersion naturally enhances renewed lustre."

Q: Has anyone had any experience with ionic cleaning?

The price for the unit is a bit steep. I'm wondering if it's worth it. Thank you!

 

[LunaIzzy]

"For general care of morganite, clean it using warm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry with a soft cloth. Avoid rough handling, and store jewelry items separately to prevent abrasion damage."

 

[GemView]

Hi Lunalzzy,

Thanks for the reply. I don’t wear jewelry to bed, in showers, pools, hot tubs or while doing any rough housework/gardening — so it was a bit of a shock when my new ring started looking hazy despite my best efforts. (To the point where I thought that the clarity had somehow shifted on me because I was initially “sure” that it couldn’t possibly be dirty after so many attempts to clean it.)

Many years ago I cleaned my jewelry with an ultrasonic but that ended when a small diamond fell out of one of my rings. I was content to use a brush (with a gentle cleaner by Caribbean Gems) but this ring has mostly enclosed sides and back so the method described doesn’t work so well.

I first contacted GIA after reading similar care information on their morganite page. They took a look at my setting and suggested I take it to a professional for cleaning. The jeweler used ultrasonic and steam to clean it up. It looks like new now but the question is how to maintain it. (I was surprised to learn upon searching PS that cleaning methods have had relatively little discussion, at least not with the word “ionic” in the search.)

I take it due to lack of reply this method isn’t something many people can personally comment upon? If so, any other suggestions?

Here is a photo of the ring after the professional cleaning:

 

[monarch64]

Hi Lunalzzy,

Thanks for the reply. I don’t wear jewelry to bed, in showers, pools, hot tubs or while doing any rough housework/gardening — so it was a bit of a shock when my new ring started looking hazy despite my best efforts. (To the point where I thought that the clarity had somehow shifted on me because I was initially “sure” that it couldn’t possibly be dirty after so many attempts to clean it.)

Many years ago I cleaned my jewelry with an ultrasonic but that ended when a small diamond fell out of one of my rings. I was content to use a brush (with a gentle cleaner by Caribbean Gems) but this ring has mostly enclosed sides and back so the method described doesn’t work so well.

I first contacted GIA after reading similar care information on their morganite page. They took a look at my setting and suggested I take it to a professional for cleaning. The jeweler used ultrasonic and steam to clean it up. It looks like new now but the question is how to maintain it. (I was surprised to learn upon searching PS that cleaning methods have had relatively little discussion, at least not with the word “ionic” in the search.)

I take it due to lack of reply this method isn’t something many people can personally comment upon? If so, any other suggestions?

Here is a photo of the ring after the professional cleaning:

Years and years ago there was MUCH discussion about cleaning and ultrasonics. We all bought Sharper Image ultrasonics, Gem Oro steamers, and they last forever. I still use my SI ultrasonic from 2005. This site had a 1.0 version and some older stuff was lost or has just become so buried it doesn’t show up in searches. A lot of us clean our rings every day, because the cleanest look is addicting and you start to notice every little smudge or speck of dust.

ETA: the general consensus has always been that it’s far better to have a stone fall out of a setting IN the ultrasonic. The ultrasonic might give a loose stone the tiny push it took to come free from the setting, but the ultrasonic did NOT cause it to become loose in the first place. So discontinuing use of an ultrasonic for that reason isn’t recommended.

Idk anything about ionic cleaners. I clean my emeralds with a foaming solution safe for them, just using my hands and rinse with plain tap water.

You might have to clean your ring daily…it kind of comes with the territory. It’s like driving a black car—gets dirty fast and needs to be washed frequently to maintain its clean appearance.

 

[lala646]

Years and years ago there was MUCH discussion about cleaning and ultrasonics. We all bought Sharper Image ultrasonics, Gem Oro steamers, and they last forever. I still use my SI ultrasonic from 2005. This site had a 1.0 version and some older stuff was lost or has just become so buried it doesn’t show up in searches. A lot of us clean our rings every day, because the cleanest look is addicting and you start to notice every little smudge or speck of dust.

ETA: the general consensus has always been that it’s far better to have a stone fall out of a setting IN the ultrasonic. The ultrasonic might give a loose stone the tiny push it took to come free from the setting, but the ultrasonic did NOT cause it to become loose in the first place. So discontinuing use of an ultrasonic for that reason isn’t recommended.

Idk anything about ionic cleaners. I clean my emeralds with a foaming solution safe for them, just using my hands and rinse with plain tap water.

You might have to clean your ring daily…it kind of comes with the territory. It’s like driving a black car—gets dirty fast and needs to be washed frequently to maintain its clean appearance.

Would you care to share the name of the cleaner you use for your emeralds?

 

[Soseattle]

I have used this product since the 1990's and it has done some amazing things but is very gentle for things like opals: https://jewelbrite.com/.

Just in the last couple of months decided to clean a pair of emerald and diamond earrings. I have had these estate earrings since the earlier 2000's but was not really happy with the quality of the stones. The diamonds looked kind of gray and the emeralds didn't have the desired glow. They ended up sitting unused for years. I recently moved and found them again. As an experiment I soaked them into this product for a couple days to see what would happen. I was amazed at the difference. The diamonds now sparkle and the emeralds are actually beautiful. The problem wasn't so much stone quality as it was that the earrings were just extremely dirty.

 

[monarch64]

Would you care to share the name of the cleaner you use for your emeralds?

Of course. Lavish Jewelry Cleaner foam. I happened to get a couple at a PS get together several years ago, specially packaged with Pricescope branding! I’ve had it forever and never unsealed it until I started buying jewelry again. I don’t let it sit and soak for 30 seconds, I just squirt some in my palm and massage it around my jewelry for a few seconds, then rinse and pat dry.