Steam Vs. Chemicals for Cleaning Jewelry
Precious metals used in jewelry often tarnish while gemstone settings and engravings gather dirt, and certain gemstones appear to lose their radiance over time. Steam cleaning and chemical cleaning are popular methods of restoring luster to jewelry. However, each method has advantages and disadvantages, and the specific characteristics of each piece of jewelry should be considered before subjecting the piece to a cleaning method. Does this Spark an idea?
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Preparation
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Before beginning any jewelry cleaning method, it is important to make sure any gemstones are secure in their settings, according to the LuShae Jewelry website. Loose settings may be damaged during cleaning, regardless of the cleaning method.
Steam Cleaning
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Steam cleaning uses pressurized steam to remove dirt, dust and oils from jewelry, according to the Hammacher Schlemmer website. Steam cleaning restores shine to precious metals, diamonds and other gemstones by forcing steam into crevasses in the jewelry. Steam cleaning is an effective way to clean deep indentations in jewelry that can't always be reached through chemical cleaning, according to the website.
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Chemical Cleaning
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Chemicals used for jewelry cleaning vary depending on the type of metal or stone being cleaned. Some gemstones should never be cleaned using commercial chemical jewelry cleaners. These include amber, aquamarine, coral, emerald, jade, opal, pearl and turquoise, according to the Robyn A. Harton Creative Jewelry website. Fortunately, many stones can be cleaned using more mild chemicals such as those found in detergents. Stronger stones, like diamonds for example, may be cleaned using ammonia-based cleaners, if they are not set in a metal that could be damaged or discolored from the cleaning solution. The website recommends checking with a jeweler regarding your jewelry if you are unsure whether or not it can be chemically cleaned.
Simple Jewelry
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Jewelry without gemstones, such as gold or silver bands or chains, can be cleaned using either steam or chemical cleaning. However, certain chemicals should never be used to clean these precious metals. Avoid cleaners containing chlorine or ammonia, as they can discolor the metals, according to LuShae.
Abrasiveness
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Chemicals used for jewelry cleaning dissolve some dirt and oil. However, most chemical cleanings also require some scrubbing to remove stuck-on matter and grime deep in settings or engravings. Softer metals such as silver and 14 karat gold require extra care to avoid damage while scrubbing during chemical cleaning, according to Robyn A. Harton Creative Jewelry. Steam cleaning, on the other hand, is nonabrasive. Following steam cleaning, jewelry is dried with a soft polishing cloth, reducing the risk of scratches or nicks to the jewelry.
Cost
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Chemical jewelry cleaners are generally much less expensive than steam cleaning machines. Chemical cleaning can be as simple as scrubbing your jewelry with a mixture of detergent and water or as intricate as cleaning it using a specialized jewelry cleaner (available at many drug stores and jewelry stores for a few dollars). Although generally safer for your jewelry, especially jewelry containing precious stones, steam cleaning machines range in price from around $30 to over $1000 in 2010 prices, according to the NexTag comparison shopping website.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit jewelry image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
