I have an aquamarine and diamond engagement ring and i was wondering what is the best way to clean the aquamarine. I understand it is semi-precious so you have to be careful with it, but also with the nature of the stone it tends to pick up dirt etc and look cloudy vs sparkly and new. When i get it cleaned at the jewelers it looks brand new again, as I have a really expensive high end aquamarine, but at home no such luck. Any tips?
Your jeweler may be using solvent in an ultrasonic cleaner. Since you don’t have that option, try using an old toothbrush and liquid detergent.
What makes gemstones dull is light "leakage"
A grease spot on the pavillion (back) of a gem alters what should be a gem/air interface. Now there is a gem/grease interface.
What that does is light pass through rather than being reflected back through the crown and to the eye.
So cleaning the back side of the gem is just as, or more, important, than cleaning the crown (top).
NOTE: Work over a towel or washcloth rather than over a bathroom or kitchen sink. If that ring is dropped, it might damage a stone or setting.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Your jeweler may be using solvent in an ultrasonic cleaner. Since you don’t have that option, try using an old toothbrush and liquid detergent.
What makes gemstones dull is light "leakage"
A grease spot on the pavillion (back) of a gem alters what should be a gem/air interface. Now there is a gem/grease interface.
What that does is light pass through rather than being reflected back through the crown and to the eye.
So cleaning the back side of the gem is just as, or more, important, than cleaning the crown (top).
NOTE: Work over a towel or washcloth rather than over a bathroom or kitchen sink. If that ring is dropped, it might damage a stone or setting.
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