So you have the cleaner. You have the cleaning solution. But why won't it ever clean like the ones at the Jewelry Stores?
Here's the answer! You didn't let it heat up!
BINGO! That's the whole ticket to getting the cleaners to work at home. The cleaning solution has to get hot to get it to clean well.
Think about it... Ever try doing dishes in cold water? It wouldn't get them very clean now would it? But adding hot water does the trick quickly!
You see, most people miss this big important step. It's right in front of you too. If you put really hot water in the cleaner, like hot-coffee-hot, then the cleaner's ready to work. Heat the water up in the microwave. (not boiling, just a couple of minutes) Put it in the cleaner. Add in the Ammonia and dish soap. Viola! Your rings will come out crystal sparkling presto clean.
Cleaning your rings in cold water just seems to make them even more mucky and dirty. But soaking them in a hot solution with the sound waves and vibrations bouncing off the sides of the cleaner, your dirt and debris will dissolve right off your jewelry in no time.
If it were me, I would buy a sonic cleaner with a built in heater. Those probably cost a lot more (usually a hundred or more), but it's worth it.
When you do clean your Jewelry, I would leave your jewelry in the ultrasonic cleaner for about 20 minutes. This is usually enough time to break away every day grime. Use a soft toothbrush and just dab at it. Just be careful and make sure to get underneath the gemstones, prongs and underneath the ring. All the oils, hand lotions, soaps and what-not will come clean.
Do this once a week and your jewelry will always look brand new.
You can also take it in to a Jewelry Store a couple of times a year to have your gems inspected and the mounting checked. A good polishing will keep the gold looking brand new also. Just be careful about leaving softer stones in the cleaner. Usually the manual will tell you which stones to not leave in. Emeralds, Pearls and Opals are softer and ultrasonic cleaners can actually harm them. I would clean those by hand! Also any heat treated stones can be affected. Always proceed with caution! (Read more: Gemstones you shouldn't put in Ultrasonic Cleaners!)
So there you have it! The secret to cleaning your Jewelry the professional way!
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