[Jewelry making - Article 00200] - Re: [Orchid] Ultrasonic cleaning after stone setting

[Wayne Emery]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Hi Helen,

    Brad Simon, publisher of -Bench newsletter and Bench magazine is a
    frequent contributor here. A series of articles authored by me called
    "Colored Gemstones at the Bench" have been featured in both the
    newsletter (abbreviated form) and the magazine. These articles
    address some of the characteristics of common gemstones and how they
    should be handled at the bench. Brad's newsletter is free to all who
    request it at http://www.bwsimon.com/e-bench/ and I receive no money
    for my articles. 

    To more directly answer your question: 

    Tanzanite should NEVER be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. It MIGHT
    survive, but I have seen ten carat plus stones instantly and
    completely destroyed. Tanzanite is soft, brittle and very sensitive
    to thermal shock, I.e., sudden temperature change. Placing a stone
    into hot pickle is a questionable practice, and extended stays in the
    pickle can adversely affect the surface of a polished Tanzanite,
    depending on the composition of the pickle. 

    In and of itself, emerald is very hard and quite durable.
    Unfortunately. most of the emerald that comes across the bench has
    been treated, and sometimes that treatment hides the many small
    fractures that may be present. Those fractures are planes/areas of
    weakness in the crystal, and sudden changes in temperature or a
    little too much pressure from a setting tool, and, "POOF!". This has
    led many to think emerald is not hard or durable, but "clean"
    emerald presents little problems in handling. But, you may never run
    a cross one. 

    Peridot does not seem to suffer from thermal shock or the vibration
    of an ultrasonic, but most pickling soultons will quite rapidly etch
    the surface, calling for a complete re-polish or re-cut of the
    stone. Repalcing a 1-2 carat peridot will not break the bank,
    but.....if you have not checked the prices of peridot in the four
    caratand uprange lately, you may be in a for a real shocker. For
    good Pakistani material over 5 carats, expect to pay at least $150/c
    and for stones 7c plus, much more. After Tucson, we will all be
    seeing the results of the weak dollar in colored gems and many US
    jewelers will definitely have sticker shock. So keep the peridot
    away from the pickle! 

    Soap and water with a soft toothbrush cleans everything! 

Wayne Emery
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________