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Original poster

Keeping diamonds clean?

20 replies

MrsFogi · 11/08/2004 14:17

Does anyone have any tips on keeping diamonds sparkly and clean? I keep getting my engagement ring dirty so need some tips on the best way to keep it looking decent each day as whenever dh sees it he is not too pleased.......

OP posts:
wellsie · 11/08/2004 14:21

Cooled boiled water and a sqirt of washing up liquid. Leave to soak for a few mins and then get a soft toothbrush and brush gently. Alternatively take it to Ernest Jones who we clean your jewellery for free (well, they did for me)

mit · 11/08/2004 14:26

Wellsie is right. I used to work in jewellery and that was the advice given to customers. You can use a weak amonia solution but washing up liquid is the easier option. Most jewellers will also use their in-house ultrasonic machine to clean you gems and shouldn't charge you. This gives a great clean as it vibrates like crazy and shakes all the little bits of grime free. I use either a childrens toothbrush or an old soft head for my electric toothbrush which seems to work a lot of it out.
Do clean your ring regularly, it makes it a joy to look at!

Davros · 11/08/2004 15:32

Remember to do it over a bowl or something, not over the sink! Watch out for the ultrasonic machines with some stones, my mum's opal got smashed to bits!

Twiglett · 11/08/2004 21:13

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mit · 11/08/2004 21:19

There is no need to be gentle with a diamond, you're right Twiglett. The only problem could be the setting, if one of the prongs has weakened. In an ideal world we'd all take our jewellery in once year and get the setting checked and repaired as necessary. I use an electric toothbrush to clean mine - although it is an eternity band with no prongs.

They shouldn't have put your mum's opal in the ultrasonic.......I think it's the one stone that absolutely should NOT go in. Did they compensate her at all Davros?

Oh - and definitely do it in a bowl and not the sink - pain in the neck to get rings/earrings etc out of u-bend......speaking from experience!

HTH, mit x

ChicPea · 11/08/2004 21:27

This is all good advice that the other MNer's have posted. My DH has suggested putting the ring in the dishwasher everynight. Yes seriously! You need to put it on a prong to secure it.

Kayleigh · 11/08/2004 22:01

I clean mine a la Twiglett with washing up liquid and an old toothbrush. My best friend is married to a Hatton Garden jeweller (he made my engagement ring) and that is exactly what he recommends.

Twiglett · 11/08/2004 22:06

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DelGirl · 11/08/2004 23:30

I've just been to see the stepford wives and this thread has made me . Only kidding girlies

Ghosty · 11/08/2004 23:33

Can't believe no-one has suggested Gin ...
I put my rings in a glass of gin for an hour or so and then take a toothbrush (not the one I brush my teeth with ) and give it a gentle brush .... it all comes up nice and sparkly!

Linnet · 11/08/2004 23:42

A friend of mine runs an antique business and she told me that I should use toothpaste and an old toothbrush to clean my jewellery as that's what she uses when cleaning up jewellery to sell. It works a treat on my amethysts. All the jewellery with stones in that I wear is Amethyst. Used to use it on my diamond ring as well, but I don't wear that now so it's stored away nice and clean.

Gingerbear · 12/08/2004 01:22

I remember asking a friend in class, in all innocence 'how do I get soap out of my ring?'. The boys behind heard me and almost wet themselves laughing. I honestly did not understand the double meaning of the statement. (I was 16) I felt very embarrassed when weeks later one of the lads told me what they were laughing about.

carla · 12/08/2004 01:28

If you're living in the same town, try taking them back to the original jeweller. Mine whisks mine away and they come back like a new pin five minutes later, free and gratis.

Kayleigh · 12/08/2004 07:48

Ghosty, do you then drink the gin ???

smellymelly · 12/08/2004 08:12

I heard toothpaste was good, that is what I use.

Ghosty · 12/08/2004 08:28

kayleigh ...

prufrock · 12/08/2004 11:24

Ghosty - the gin should really only be used as a last rinse - because it evaporates quicker than water (well it does in my glass anyway ) it will not leave smears.

Davros · 12/08/2004 14:02

My mum did not get compensation for her opal. They replaced it with another stone which we all agreed what not as nice. It was an antique ring with an oval opal and diamonds all round, the new stone looked new and not as nice. This was at least 30 years ago and the machines were new and the staff didn't know enough about them. My mum didn't kick up a stink as she is the most passive doormat you'd ever meet (another thread )

iota · 12/08/2004 14:58

Inspired by this thread, I've just given my 2 diamond rings a good scrub. They look beautiful now ....where's the sunlight to make them dazzle eveyone?

Original poster
MrsFogi · 12/08/2004 15:09

me too - thanks for all the tips - I got the washing up liquid on them this morning and have been rather proud of the sparklers all day!

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