Jewelry Steam Cleaning ...

[verticalhorizon]

Can the steamer from a typical store bought cappucino machine really be used to clean a diamond?

Is there more danger in doing so to an SI1 or SI2 as there are more inclusions? Can steam or moisture get in there and bust that sucker open?

I searched on the site and there are some people who have bought steamers, but nothing about safety yet I don''t think.

Thanks.

 

[strmrdr]

yes.

I wouldnt bring it in from outside when its below 0 then steam it otherwise its fine as long as there isnt an open feather.

 

[Nicrez]

Yes open inclusions are tricky. Regular steamers are ok, as they do NOT have the kind of heat nor pressure that a diamond (10 on the Mohs scale) can not endure...

Now if we're talking gympsum...or talc...WATCH OUT!

 

[2Bmarried]

I'd been inquiring about steamers as well, recently. I have an ultrasonic, but had been wondering about the use of a steamer. I looked at one on eBay ( a converted cappuccino machine), a home steaming machine with a pointed nozzle & cappuccino machines at local stores. I broke down last night and bought the Mr. Coffee (model ECM91) cappuccino / espresso machine. I couldn't pass it up for $15.99 at a local grocery store. It works well on my fiancee's solitaire, but I can't tell you how well it makes a beverage yet!! I recommend it if you don't have a machine already & you can find it for a low price.

Good luck!

 

[verticalhorizon]

Hey that's funny. I think I have the Mr. Coffee you're talking about! It makes great espresso/cappucino... the only problem. It's slow and I think after a while it may need cleaning of its own, b/c it doesn't steam as well as it did when it was new. Not sure how to do that yet. Is there a site called CappucinoScope.com?

Getting back to topic, so I don't get flamed... Are open feathers the only inclusion that I need to worry about or are there other types of inclusions that can also be "open"?

 

[strmrdr]

There are other open inclusions.
Open cystals are usualy naturaly sealed sealed so arent much of a problem.
Cracks arent that common but are an even bigger problem.

Open feathers are the most common ones that will cause problems.

Just to clarify,
"open" inclusions are inclusions that reach the surface of a diamond and are open to the outside the diamond.

 

[Shay37]

My MIL has a scunci steamer that she thinks is wonderful. It seems that the design would readily lend itself to cleaning your jewelry. I am thinking about purchasing one myself. (or maybe I'll just use hers for awhile

) I went to the website to check them out and they retail for $59.85 plus s&h). The website is scuncisteamer.com. Hope this helps.

Shay