April 30, 2009
Response to Cheryl C. about RING CLEANING
Cheryl C. writes, “My ring looks gunky. It always gets like that. Maybe, it’s my hand lotion? How do I clean my ring?”
Cheryl,
The best way is to have it done professionally. It is best to take it to someone that will inspect the prongs to make sure everything is secure and then polish and clean the ring so it looks brand new. Once a year is a good schedule to keep.
In between the professional cleaning you can inspect and clean it yourself, the only thing most people cannot do is to polish the metal.
Cleaning should be done at least once a week using a nonabrasive cleaner such as ammonia, Simple Green, Windex or any grease cutter that will not leave a residue. Squirt the cleaning solution on your ring and on a soft toothbrush. It will remove all the soap film, hand lotion and assorted junk that may have accumulated. Scrub your ring trying to get the bristles in the recessed areas. If it is done on a weekly schedule it will take less than a minute to scrub, clean, rinse and wipe your ring for that clean sparkling look.
Do not soak the ring for more that 10 to 15 minutes. Constant soaking overnight in the cleaning solution will corrode the alloys in the gold setting creating pits and make the prongs holding the gemstones weak. You may lose them if this happens.
Pearls, opals and emeralds should not be cleaned with the solution because it may damage these gemstones. Also DO NOT place pearls, opals or emeralds under a steam cleaner!
Professionals use a steam cleaner and an inventive customer began cleaning her ring with her expresso machine. Make sure you are using thongs and be very careful you do not burn yourself.
A clean, shiny ring will garner a lot of attention. Clean it and then enjoy all the compliments!
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
Cheryl C. asks “How Do I Clean My Ring?”
Cheryl C. writes, “My ring looks gunky. It always gets like that. Maybe, it’s my hand lotion? How do I clean my ring?”
April 24, 2009
De Beers cuts rough diamond production by 40%
De Beers, the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds has cut production by 40% because of a decline in global consumer demand. The company expects a 5-10% drop in consumer demand tor 2009.
Our Romantic Love Story Blog: SweetMomentsRomance.com
Caring For Your Pearls
Several people have asked about the care and cleaning of pearls and we thought you may also be interested in knowing. As an organic gemstone, pearls are not as durable as most of the other gemstones and requires a little extra attention.
To clean a pearl you just need to wipe it using a damp cloth with a mild soap not detergent and follow it with just a clean damp cloth. Cleaning should be done a couple of times a month more often if it is worn a lot, less if it is not.
Restringing should be done every 2-5 years depending of amount of use. Knotting between each pearl on a necklace will reduce loss of the pearls if it breaks.
Pearls should be put on last after make up, perfume, hair spray. The accumulation of these products will reduce its luster.
It should be stored in a soft pouch or bag where it will not be scratched by other jewelry. It should not be stored in a really dry place. Pearls appreciate some moisture.
Pearls are perhaps happiest on your neck where it is warm and the natural body oils will help to maintain its luster.
By following this procedure you will enjoy your pearls for many years to come.
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
April 23, 2009
A Fortunate Find
Recently, Cynthia, a past customer of ours excitedly walked into our store. She had found a pendant on the ground that looked like a diamond and wanted to know if it was really a diamond or a cubic zirconia.
With our knowledge and experience we can usually tell just by looking at the stone and it looked like it could be a real diamond. To confirm it positively we used a diamond tester and it indicated that it was a diamond. We also tested it with a moisannite tester to rule out that it was not a moisannite, because moisannites can fool diamond testers.
It was indeed a diamond that weighed ¾ carat which was worth about $4000. What a fortunate find! I guess some people are just born lucky!
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
April 21, 2009
Resizing dilemma
Diane came into our office the other day. She had been referred to us by Carol, her hairdresser. Diane needed to have her ring resized because her knuckles were getting larger from arthritis. Her concern was that if we were to resize her ring that it should not spin since the inside of her finger was smaller.
I explained to her that in extreme cases there are special bands that will expand or hinge to solve the problem. In her case it was just a half size difference which is not extreme. All we had to do for Diane was to resize the ring 3/4 size larger and install a ring guard to prevent the ring from spinning. She left her ring, happy that she had a solution that addressed her concerns.
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
April 17, 2009
ATMOS CLOCK question from Mike B.
Those mechanical clocks from Jaeger-LeCoultre are beautiful, aren’t they? On top of that the Atmos brand is simply amazing as the clocks do not need to be wound. These clocks can run for years without being touched as they get the energy that they need to run from small changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. The precision needed to accomplish this is incredible!
A retail jewelry store owner in Illinois was happy to provide the following advice on moving your Atmos clock. They suggested calling the Atmos Service Dept. at (516) 757-5874 to ask for a shipping box. As long as the pendulum is locked and the clock immobilized you should have no problem in shipping or hand carrying the clock.
Before packing your clock lock the Pendulum in place by sliding the Pendulum Locking Lever all the way to the right. If you don’t do this you could damage the movement. The Pendulum Locking Lever is either under the front of the door or under the Dial. When packing do not place anything inside the movement area. If your clock has Case Locking Pins on the sides make sure that these pings are securely in place before packing in the shipping box provided by the Service Dept.
Otherwise, you could use a two box packing system along with a plastic bag and foam packing material. Place the clock in a clean plastic bag surrounded by packing material in the smaller box. Place the smaller box in the larger box with plenty of packing material between the boxes. See the image below.
We hope that you enjoy your Atmos clock in your new location.
Take care,
DT
April 16, 2009
ATMOS CLOCK
Hi Mike,
Even though we sold your dad the Atmos clock I have very little knowledge of the care necessary to ship such a delicate and expensive piece. At The Diamond Specialists we have three people with different areas of expertise. DT has contacts in the retail and wholesale industry throughout the U.S. and overseas and he is the person who could best find a solution to your dilemma. I will ask him if he can help.
Mahalo,
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
ATMOS CLOCK question from Mike B.
We received a question from Mike B. which was posted as a “comment”. I am re-posting his question so that we may all benefit from it.
“I have an Atmos clock…its very expensive..and very delicate….my dad bought it from u back in 1988…now its time to take it to the mainland….which I will carry on the plane myself….how do you suggest I transport it on the plane…thxs…Mike”
April 15, 2009
Hello All
We would like to welcome all you jewelry lovers to feel free to post comments or to ask any jewelry, gemstone, fashion or diamond related question under the sun. We will do our best to help you answer any question whether it be a problem or just something that you are curious about. With our nearly 100 years of combined experience and our extensive worldwide contacts in the jewelry and diamond industries we should be able to help you. Please do not hesitate and blog on!
Mahalo,
Russell Oshita, the diamonddude
The Diamond Specialists, Inc.
Diamonds Hawaii
