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Ultrasonic recommendation-NOT Sharper Image

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nicolejrx

nicolejrx

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 16, 2005
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115
Hello all!
I did a search and did not find much current info on ultrasonic cleaners other than the Sharper Image one. I have had a Sharper Image ultrasonic for the last year and I liked it. It did a decent job. Now however I am ready to upgrade to something a bit better. Probably under 300 bucks and not too big (i.e. I don''t need a professional sized cleaner). Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Nicole
 

I have a GemOro 1 pint Ultrasonic cleaner for $122.00. It''s the smallest professional version they make. I did a little research and decided on a no-heat one because it takes 10 minutes to heat hot water and 20 minutes to heat cold water. I can''t see myself waiting that long to just clean a few items. The heat feature is for professional use where they turn in on one the store opens and leave it heated all day.


Why not a mini-ultrasonic from Ebay? Because I know my wife diamond assets will only increase over time and looks like I will use this machine for a life time. It''s not like some hobby where you stop after a while.


If you a serious, get the JewelJet steamer. It''s the only way to dry the excess water from around the prongs and the sides. You can''t dry it with tissue around the pavilion. Don''t pay for stainless steel basket. The JewelJet basket sit nicely in this US cleaner too.
 
May I ask what''s wrong with SI''s ultrasonic machine?
 
Thanks for the recommendations so far, I will check out a few of those mentioned plus the jewel jet. I like the idea of the steamer to really get everything clean. I checked out their website and I am glad that the steam is safe on sapphires as I have sapphires in my engagement ring...

There is nothing wrong with the sharper image ultrasonic per se. I have previously owned one and was not 100% satisfied with how it cleaned my ring. Plus it cracked a few months after owning it. I would just like to try something new!

Nicole
 
I too, have a GemOro. I am very very very very happy with it. Gem Oro is in the high end jewelery stores, and I figure if thats what they use, its good enough for me. I got turned on to it after my old boyfriend (not this last boyfriend, but the one before) bought me a beautiful sapphire placeholder ring and I was complaining that it got dirty so quickly. One day, while engagement ring shopping, he asked the salesman to clean it, and it came back so gorgeous that I asked what type of ultrasonic cleaner was back there and she said, "Oh GemOro."

My then fiance perked up and said, "Thats the kind my dad used". His dad was a goldsmith and made all his own jewelry for their family.

I was sold. I found a local retailer here in SoCal, bought the 1 QT that has a heater and timer, and a large bottle of the GemOro solution. If I dont want to wait for the water to heat up, I just pour HOT water in to the unit and turn on the switch. I cant find anything that does a better job. And GET a jewelery basket for it. The solution is so gentle, I can throw any kind of jewelery in it...and it comes out incredible.

You wont be disappointed.

Desiree

Which reminds me, I havent posted any pics of the old placeholder rings I have...or a diamond I inherited that I think is an OEC. I need a good digital camera.
 
sorry, I should clarify...he was a boyfriend at the time...but he later did propose....(lol TWICE)...
 
I have used professional, heated ultrasonic cleaners for years in our offices. Consumers definitely do not need a heated unit. Simply use medium hot water from the tap and a little Mr. Clean or Top Job mixed in. A few minutes and the less costly ones, such as the Sparkle Spa will do a superb job.

We also own a Jeweljet Steamer at one of my labs and it is a very cool product. However, you can easily burn yourself with it and it must be used carefully with children around. An ultrasonic will do an excellent job and poses little risk to anyone.
 
Wow, I just looked at the GemOro Sparkle Spa and it is priced close to the SI refurbished on ebay! For anyone interested, here is the link:

https://products.gemappraisers.com/pc-25-1-the-ultrasonic.aspx

I'd love to know what size this is...I really want a small one!

(ETA: I did not realize this is the same link that Mrssalvo posted earlier. We think too much alike sometimes!)
 
Date: 9/17/2006 3:51:32 AM
Author:nicolejrx
Hello all!

I did a search and did not find much current info on ultrasonic cleaners other than the Sharper Image one. I have had a Sharper Image ultrasonic for the last year and I liked it. It did a decent job. Now however I am ready to upgrade to something a bit better. Probably under 300 bucks and not too big (i.e. I don't need a professional sized cleaner). Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Nicole
Click to expand...

I have the smallest Crest heating unit and I use the GemOro solution in it. It does a fantastic job of cleaning my diamond and other ultrasonic-safe jewelry. I am pleased with the performance and construction of the Crest US cleaner. I believe it was under $300.

I purchased from here. Their pricing is competitive and shipping was quick.
 
How many minutes do they run in the us cleaners? Is it like 2-3 or like 15-20?
 
I have a Crest heated unit and love it. It does a great job. I spent about $199 for mine. Noobie gave a link for it in the other US thread.
 
I had a Jewel Jet for a while and it gave my ring a great sparkle, but it was kind of inconvenient to use (wait for it to heat up and then steam the ring from different angles, wait for it to heat more steam . . . ). It didn''t really work for necklaces and earrings, either, since you have to hold whatever you''re cleaning with tweezers under the high-pressure steam. I much prefer the convenience of a US, and the Sharper Image gets my rings cleaner that the JJ did. If I had a huger stone I might like the JJ for water spots, though.
 
I steam the earings with the JewelJet too. If you just want one, get the Ultrasonic. However, you need both the Ultrasonic and Steamer to get that 100% clean. Each of them does a different job.

The Sharper Image is popular here because a whole bunch of PS ladies bought them and created a long threads that everyone reads about. I think the GemOro Sparkle Spa does a better job. It's got a stainless steel tub that doesn't crack.

Unlike the professional GemOro units, the Spakle Spa is a private label that GemOro sell. It's made by a Chinese company. They actually come in 20 different skins. GemOro just put their name on one of them. But for $35 you can't go wrong.
 
Gladstone, what size is the Sparkle Spa?
 
Date: 9/17/2006 9:59:07 PM
Author: gladstone
I steam the earings with the JewelJet too. If you just want one, get the Ultrasonic. However, you need both the Ultrasonic and Steamer to get that 100% clean. Each of them does a different job.

The Sharper Image is popular here because a whole bunch of PS ladies bought them and created a long threads that everyone reads about. I think the GemOro Sparkle Spa does a better job. It''s got a stainless steel tub that doesn''t crack.

Unlike the professional GemOro units, the Spakle Spa is a private label that GemOro sell. It''s made by a Chinese company. They actually come in 20 different skins. GemOro just put their name on one of them. But for $35 you can''t go wrong.
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for all of your advice! Right now after looking at everything I am leaning towards getting both the GemOro 1 pint plus the JewelJet. My FI and I really want to have great cleaners for our rings! Both of our wedding bands are diamond eternity bands so he is pretty interested in what we get as well. I like the idea of using both to really get my engagement ring the cleanest it can be. I have a 2 ct diamond plus the sapphires and the sapphires sure are a bugger to keep clean!
Nicole
 
The JewelJet is sold here for $99 with free shipping. I asked them to sell it to me for their Ebay price and they agreed. The eBay price is $69.00
http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies.com/page/NJS/PROD/SEJJ

The US that I have is here for $124.00
http://www.nationaljewelerssupplies.com/page/NJS/PROD/SK1718

They hit me with a $40 shipping charge. Now, that could be because I asked for their eBay price. Give them your home address and ask them how much shipping cost before you ask them to match their own Ebay price. With the eBay price, there is no refund.

Goodluck

Good luck
 
Date: 9/17/2006 10:45:34 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Gladstone, what size is the Sparkle Spa?
Click to expand...

DS,

It''s the one you quoted above. The same one sold by Dave Atlas.

I would buy the Sparkle Spa for my mother; but I am crazy... I want the more powerful unit for myself.
 
Date: 9/18/2006 8:19:15 PM
Author: gladstone

Date: 9/17/2006 10:45:34 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Gladstone, what size is the Sparkle Spa?
Click to expand...

DS,

It''s the one you quoted above. The same one sold by Dave Atlas.

I would buy the Sparkle Spa for my mother; but I am crazy... I want the more powerful unit for myself.
Click to expand...
It doesn''t give the dimensions so I can''t tell what size it is. I don''t want anything that takes up much space just to clean a couple of little rings and earrings now and then!
 
It''s the size of the tissue box. My 1 pint GemOro ultrasonic is actually smaller than that.

As I said, I would get the Sparkle Spa for my mother but PSers are crazy. We all clean our diamonds a couple times a week. A plastic shell model won''t last. Get a metal one either from GemOro or Crest
 
Date: 9/18/2006 8:24:11 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
It doesn''t give the dimensions so I can''t tell what size it is. I don''t want anything that takes up much space just to clean a couple of little rings and earrings now and then!
Click to expand...
pfffft ''now and then'' ::giggles:: yeah that''s what I tell myself but my husband was poopooing the whole ring thing and saying I''d be bored within "I give it a month" and I''m like no way this baby does tricks and he''s like yeah but when it''s dirty it won''t and I''m like I wasn''t kidding when I said I was gonna get an us and he said honey I can''t even get you to do the dishes and I said oh that''s perfect, every day I''ll just stick the rings in the us and do the dishes and voila! clean kitchen AND a reward for it!!!! lol My office is right off the kitchen so I''m already thinking, "now where can I give this a permanent home... hehehehe...
 
This is a good thread. I have the SI cleaner. Had to exchange it twice already. Both times the tank cracked & the lid doesnt fit well. I already told my husband I want to return it for a refund before my warranty is up & get a better model.
 
Date: 9/17/2006 9:59:07 PM
Author: gladstone
I steam the earings with the JewelJet too. If you just want one, get the Ultrasonic. However, you need both the Ultrasonic and Steamer to get that 100% clean. Each of them does a different job.

The Sharper Image is popular here because a whole bunch of PS ladies bought them and created a long threads that everyone reads about. I think the GemOro Sparkle Spa does a better job. It''s got a stainless steel tub that doesn''t crack.

Unlike the professional GemOro units, the Spakle Spa is a private label that GemOro sell. It''s made by a Chinese company. They actually come in 20 different skins. GemOro just put their name on one of them. But for $35 you can''t go wrong.
Click to expand...
Definitely! That''s why I didn''t keep my Jewel Jet. I don''t have enough counter space for two machines, so I went with the little tiny SI.

Just be aware--I bought a US locally that *looked* just like the Sparkle Spa, stainless tank and all . . . it died in 6 weeks. I returned it for a replacement, and that one lasted three months. Grr! So far, no problems with my SI. I just know I have to be careful not to drop the plastic tub.
 
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