Very slight yellow tint to F diamond

[wacamaster]

I got my wife a beautiful near 3 carat diamond (f color) through whiteflash about 2 years ago and have loved it. I have kept up on cleaning it with some jewelry cleaner and windex. Recently I have noticed in certain situations it seems to have a slight yellow tint to it. It seems it could be more then just the lighting as I never used to notice it. I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do. Upon a quick search I read something about hard water, which we do have, and using white vingar to clean? Would vinegar hurt anything like the platinum setting? I figured I'd come here to ask the pros. Thank you in advance!

 

[ecf8503]

Well it isn't a D...

It may be your eyes have become more color-sensitive over the years. I have a D and 2 G's, and I can see the tint in the G easily.

 

[kelpie]

It sounds like you are keeping it clean so it's probably the lighting. You might want to get an ultrasonic. I use hot water in there with a dollop of ammonia. Ammonia or vinegar won't hurt platinum but I don't know anyone using vinegar. A light mix of dishsoap and water is also popular.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well it isn't a D...

It may be your eyes have become more color-sensitive over the years. I have a D and 2 G's, and I can see the tint in the G easily.

Yep, I too can see the tint in my G. Even in some lighting, I've seen a tint in my F stones. The only one which is crisp white is my E.

 

[swingirl]

Does it bother your wife? Or are you just noticing it and wondering why? It might be time for an upgrade to a D or E.

PS I am amazed that you clean your wife's ring. I am sure my husband has never even thought of it.

 

[chrono]

Reflection off your surroundings (wall, carpet, lighting, clothes, etc)?

 

[LALove]

Reflection off your surroundings (wall, carpet, lighting, clothes, etc)?

I agree with this and the previous posts that maybe you're more able to detect tint in stones than you were 2 years ago? I know my ability to has improved over the years.

I have F stones that I can see a slight tint in and it's magnified by the lighting and surroundings. My family room walls are a pale green/yellow color and my stones do reflect that color to a degree, which makes them look a bit more tinted than if I were at Home Depot with their white walls and super bright light.

Maybe it's possible that it has hard water stains on it?
"Q. What causes hard water stains?
A. Hard waters stains are caused by an accumulation of Calcium Carbonate (a compound made up of calcium and carbon) left behind when it comes into contact with a surface and then evaporates, leaving the white mineral build-up behind."

A google search should give some safe ways to clean off any hard water stains, if they exist.

 

[wacamaster]

This as been pretty much the only diamond I have purchased so It's not like I've been staring at d's. It seems some of the brilliance is gone too. There are a couple restaurants we frequent where the lighting always made it flash crazy sparkles and we were just there and it seemed dull. I'm still thinking I'm not getting a good clean on it for some reason.

I'm thinking of taking it to the steam room at my fitness club. The room kicks super hot steam out of a small hole at fairly high pressure. Could this damage the ring? It's set in platinum. Wasn't sure if the sudden change in temperature could cause problems.

 

[kenny]

If film from water residue is a concern you can do your final rinse in distilled water.
It's only around a buck a gallon.

When it evaporates there is nothing in it to leave behind a film.

 

[John P]

...It seems some of the brilliance is gone too. There are a couple restaurants we frequent where the lighting always made it flash crazy sparkles and we were just there and it seemed dull. I'm still thinking I'm not getting a good clean on it for some reason...

It sounds like there is stubborn film or detritus on the diamond. This is especially possible on the pavilion where the setting prevents thorough cleaning. Lotions, soaps, skin oils, perfume or polishing rouge stuck to the surface will alter the optical properties of diamonds and gemstones, causing them to look dull. Depending on your location tap water itself can contribute to this over time. Kenny's distilled water suggestion is a good idea. My wife wipes her daily pieces down each night and cleans them in her ultrasonic using distilled water once a week and her jewelry sparkles like day one.

The steam room may or may not be prudent. I would not recommend that any more than I'd recommend you bathe in a horse trough instead of a proper bath. I suggest you have it professionally cleaned using a jeweler's steam machine and ultrasonic bath, if your setting is us-appropriate. Those crazy sparkles you loved should come roaring back.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

You gotta clean it daily. The easiest is soak it in soapy water while in the shower and then after, take it out and scrub it w/a baby toothbrush, dry it with a *lint free cloth* and put it on AFTER lotions/hair products, etc.

 

[Megalomi]

Same slight dilemma here...the table on my emerald cut is usually streak free and super clean. Although the long undersides remain a bit cloudy.

so a combo of a soft toothbrush, mild dish detergent, hot water, and windex soak....rinse and pat dry?

 

[Lorelei]

I got my wife a beautiful near 3 carat diamond (f color) through whiteflash about 2 years ago and have loved it. I have kept up on cleaning it with some jewelry cleaner and windex. Recently I have noticed in certain situations it seems to have a slight yellow tint to it. It seems it could be more then just the lighting as I never used to notice it. I'm wondering if there's anything else I can do. Upon a quick search I read something about hard water, which we do have, and using white vingar to clean? Would vinegar hurt anything like the platinum setting? I figured I'd come here to ask the pros. Thank you in advance!

I would definitely suggest a professional cleaning, could be there is a stubborn film on the diamond which only a pro clean can remove. Once this is done, see how you find the diamond then, could well be it will look much better and the dingy look will have gone.