Hello everyone,
Quick question on cleaning jewelry. I’m thinking of purchasing a
steam cleaner and read some of the earlier postings on the ‘jewel
jet’. It sounds good and affordable but I was wondering if an
ultrasonic cleaning would do a better job, and if so, what brand
would you recommend. Will the cheaper models do the job? or is it
pretty much, ‘you get what you pay for’ with those.
Thanks a bunch,
Sue in Ohio
Hello Sue in Ohio,
I have both (ultrasonic and steamer) and each has it’s specific
purpose. The ultrasonic sort of vibrates the item, and when used
with a surfactant like sudsy ammonia, really knocks off the gunge.
The steamer finishes up the process with a shot of steam that blasts
off loose stuff and leaves the surface clean and dry.
It’s really nice to have both, but if I was choosing, I’d get the
ultrasonic first, and the steamer second. BTW, I have a JewelJet and
it is very user friendly - it even uses tap water, so no bother
keeping distilled water around. The price is affordable and it does a
very nice job. The JewelJet is quite adequate for occasional use, but
if you’re into production, you’ll want something with more “umph” and
capacity.
Judy in Kansas, where temps are finally below 100F! A lovely rain
storm made the evening so nice.
Hi Susan,
I own the Jewel Jet and think it works well for quick clean up. It
does not hold its pressure for long, so if you’re doing more
production cleaning, I would recommend a more substantial steamer.
The ultrasonic is good at “shakin” the compound off, but there is
nothing like the steamer to get in the nooks and crannies. Also,
sterling can get scratched in the ultrasonic when cleaning multiple
pieces. Just the result of being a soft metal. Steamers are great!
Reba
You absolutely get what you pay for in ultrasonics, but any
ultrasonic is better than none. Tip: Don’t buy them or compare them
by capacity (quarts, gallons) which means little or nothing - why
they even sell them like that is a mystery. Compare them by power -
watts. There’s no reason to spend $200 on a bigger tank if the watts
are the same, unless you just have a lot of work.
Steam is NOT intended to be a one-step cleaner. The process is
ultrasonic AND steam. A steamer will not effectively blast away
posihing compound without it first being loosened by the ultrasonic -
and the soap in the ultrasonic is a big factor, polishing compounds
being grease-based usually. the steam just blasts away the residue,
and gets all inside and stuff.
The ultrasonic sort of vibrates the item
While I don’t wish to be a bore, I thought it may be useful to
correct this common misapprehension. An ultrasonic cleaner doesn’t
shake or vibrate the item to be cleaned at all but it cleans by
exploding bubbles of gas against the surface of the object.
Ultrasonic waves are produced in the liquid by a transducer mounted
on the bottom of the tank and these waves may occur around 50,000
times a second. As each of these waves passes through the liquid
(which, for efficient cleaning must be water based and contain
detergents which reduce its surface tension and modify its vapour
pressure) it induces two separate effects - firstly it creates a
vacuum between the molecules of the water which releases trapped gas
which then forms as microscopic bubbles clinging to the surface of
the object. These tiny bubbles grow in size until the second part of
the wave passes which compresses them, squeezing the gas inside and
raising its temperature until the bubble violently explodes.
Remember, this is happening on a microscopic scale so you don’t
actually see these bubbles or feel the liquid warming up but, at a
very local level on the surface of the object being cleaned, a great
deal of energy is being released which physically scours the dirt off
the surface as it is being loosened by the detergents in the liquid.
This is why the power of an ultrasonic cleaner is important - more
power = stronger waves = higher vacuum and more compression = more
violently exploding bubbles.
Best wishes,
Ian
Ian W. Wright
SHEFFIELD UK
Very nice description by Ian. Here, where we speak a peculiarly
bastardized english dialect, the process is called CAVITATION. I
think most of our machines work in the range of 20-30,000 Hertz (not
Avis).
Dr. Mac
If its for stone set work you have to watch a steamer, it can
literally blast small stones out of their mountings. And at 80 psi
they can travel pretty fast and far, often never to be found again.
Since I reverted back to ultrasonic only I have not lost a single
stone.
For tough jobs in an ultrasonic try ammoniated solution (L&R is
great) in a plastic container (good reason to order Chinese take out
for lunch) but use a cover on it because its pretty aromatic when
hot. Another advantage of the ultrasonic is time related…you plop
things in there and do something else while they clean, a steamer
requires your direct involvement.
I have not found the jewel jet to be satisfactory in a workshop
setting. If you opt for a steam cleaner get a full size. But maintain
it religiously. This means a weekly blow down and periodic glass tube
and gasket replacement (if so equipped).
If its for stone set work you have to watch a steamer, it can literally blast small stones out of their mountings. And at 80 psi they can travel pretty fast and far, often never to be found again. Since I reverted back to ultrasonic only I have not lost a single stone.
I’d suggest that this is a great way to test the security of a set
stone (provided the stone itself will not be damaged by the
steam…many can be). I have found that if a stone is knocked
loose/out during steaming, then I need to address my setting
technique, not my method of cleaning. No stone, properly set, should
be able to be blown out by steam pressure.
Matthew Crawford
www.MatthewDesigns.com
No stone, properly set, should be able to be blown out by steam pressure.
I absolutely agree. But if I’m repairing someone else’s work I’d
rather not take on that liability.
I wince at the thought of steam cleaning a customer’s piece while
they wait, only to blast a diamond out of it. Been there, done that.
Costs money and reputation.
I absolutely agree. But if I'm repairing someone else's work I'd rather not take on that liability.
I wince at the thought of steam cleaning a customer's piece while they wait, only to blast a diamond out of it. Been there, done that. Costs money and reputation.
I know this may sound simple minded, but here I go anyway. Take a
pair of your sharpest tweezers and check all stones before cleaning.
If you find any that are loose, show your customer, and sell them a
repair. It will help you win their trust, and if they like your work,
you may have a customer for more custom work. No reputation to be
gained, and no money to be made from not taking care of a customers
jewelry when asked. Steam cleaning is just a good fast way to make a
diamond look like it did when the item was new. On the other hand,
know what you are cleaning! Temperature shock from steam, and
vibrations from ultrasonic in combination with sensitive stones can
ruin everyone’s day.
Christopher Arnett
www.christopherarnettjewelers.com
check all stones before cleaning. If you find any that are loose, show your customer, and sell them a repair
You’re right and I do that. I have a surgical looking probe and mark
loose stones with a sharpie. My bench is right in view of the
customer. Presentation is everything.
I’ve found that probing will only show stones that rock. Sometimes
pave’ stones will probe as tight but the stones may actually just be
pressed into the hole with the beads not really holding, an 80lb shot
of steam from the back can blast it out.
Yesterday I offered to security check a lady’s diamond and sapphire
bar set eternity band while we discussed whatever it was we were
discussing, “Why don’t you let me check your ring”. She said, “Oh no
that’s OK, the place where I bought it just had to redo it, the
stones fell out”. I replied.“In that case Ma’am, lowers voice why
don’t you let me check your ring”. She was aghast when it turned out
every single stone rocked noticeably. So the jeweler that did it will
tighten it and they will loosen up again because the stones were set
near the top of the bars, unsupported by the bearing, girdles
protruding too far beyond the sides of the mounting. (large stones
in platinum, think leverage).
So, will I get the remount job when she becomes totally frustrated?
It’s happened before.
I know, its a bit mercenary but ya gotta make a living.