White gold question

[Stephan]

Does ammonia harm white gold?
I did a search, but couldn''t find any logical explanation.
Please don''t answer yes or no, but explain.
Is it bad for the plating? (I know it for chlorine, but ammonia?!?)
Does it harm the alloy? Which part?

 

[Maisie]

This thread was posted the other day... It might help

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ammonia-and-white-gold.133761/

 

[Stephan]

Hi Maisie!
In the topic you''re talking about, specialists say there is no problem (only for the health).
In other topics, other people say NEVER use it on WG.
example: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/setting-rhodium-plated-white-gold-in-ammonia-based-solution-for-many-hrs.81759/
but no explanation...

 

[Maisie]

Oooh I didn''t see that one! Hopefully Strm will chime in and let you know whats best.

 

[Stephan]

What''s best and the reason why.

 

[Maisie]

I found this article saying you can use ammonia...

http://www.ehow.com/how_4962189_clean-white-gold-jewelry-safely.html

 

[Maisie]

Wink Jones and Richard Sherwood commented on this thread...

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/will-ammonia-hurt-white-gold.37024/

 

[Stephan]

I''ve found the same links, but... a lot of contradictory information, and nothing really precise, do you agree?
Garry, Todd say there is no problem; Wink and Richard Sherwood think otherwise...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/17/2010 5:11:03 PM
Author: QueenMum
I've found the same links, but... a lot of contradictory information, and nothing really precise, do you agree?
Garry, Todd say there is no problem; Wink and Richard Sherwood think otherwise...

Stephan, this is a recent post from Garry which might help from this thread- https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ammonia-and-white-gold.133761/.

" do not believe the mild alkalinity ( edit) of ammonia solutions are any where near that required to attack any nickel or copper in any white golds. It certainly will not attack and disolve gold or palladium compnents of white gold.

Ammonia at the strength you are likely to use it is relatively safe in a well ventilated environment for short exposure. It is not toxic (which means it builds up and can not be deleted from your body), but this warning from Wikjipedia is important - Caution should be used that the chemical is never mixed into any liquid containing bleach, or a poisonous gas may result."

excerpts from Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amonia#Safety_precautions

The U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a 15-minute exposure limit for gaseous ammonia of 35 ppm by volume in the environmental air and an 8-hour exposure limit of 25 ppm by volume.[64] NIOSH recently reduced the IDLH from 500 to 300 based on recent more conservative interpretations of original research in 1943. IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) is the level to which a healthy worker can be exposed for 30 minutes without suffering irreversible health effects. Other organizations have varying exposure levels. U.S. Navy Standards [U.S. Bureau of Ships 1962] Maximum allowable concentrations(MACs):Continuous exposure (60 days): 25 ppm / 1 hour: 400 ppm [65] Ammonia vapour has a sharp, irritating, pungent odour that acts as a warning of potentially dangerous exposure. The average odour threshold is 5 ppm, well below any danger or damage. Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death.[64]

and

The toxicity of ammonia solutions does not usually cause problems for humans and other mammals, as a specific mechanism exists to prevent its build-up in the bloodstream. Ammonia is converted to carbamoyl phosphate by the enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, and then enters the urea cycle to be either incorporated into amino acids or excreted in the urine.

"I continue to believe that it is worth while using with care for people who want really clean diamonds "

 

[Stephan]

Hi Lorelei!
I had a 2 stone 18ct WG ring and it slept every night in 50/50 water-ammonia, without any harm.
So I tend to agree with Garry.
But I just can''t understand Wink, Richard and Karl?

 

[Stephan]

Another nice way to clean gold/diamond jewelry is to put a sieve over a pan with water and baking soda. Of course the ring should be in the sieve but also in the water. I boil the water VERY SLOWLY (I don''t want to shock my diamond

) and leave the ring a few minutes in the boiling water. I let the water cool down before rinsing the ring.

 

[Stephan]

Another advice I''ve found on Pricescope: NEVER use vinegar, especially boiling.