Cleaning Jewellery (or Jewelry, whatever you prefer ;-)

[JewellerTed]

First of, thanks to all here with your questions and your answers. I have been reading a lot here, and learned much from it.

I was attracted to electrocleaning after I have read some very positive comments about a device called "Speed Brite" which is used to clean silver and gold jewellery. Obviously, this is a commercial product, and not much information is available. I hope to closer with some of your help.

Here is what I believe to know:
- it is advertised as an "ionic cleaner"
- it uses an aluminium plate as cathode with a protective plastic
- around 13V, current unknown
- the electrolyte, called "Gem Sparkle", has ph 8,5
- the MSDS indicates no risks, one can dip his eye into and drink the electrolyte
- immersion time for silver: 5 seconds
- immersion time for gold: 30 seconds

That's what I have. I have played with a similar setup using stainless steel as cathode, a 13V rectifier and tried different electrolytes:
- 10% sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) solution plus salt
- lye from soap plus salt
- washing soda plus salt
In each case I used moderately heated ordinary tap water to brew the electrolyte. I have been playing with the idea to add some ammonium for de-greasing, but wasn't sure what this would have as secondary reaction.

The soap water, so far, brought the best results, but is far from what I have expected. So I hope to get some more insight and ideas about cleaning jewellery.

Thanks for your help,
Ted

[jimcarry]

Here is a product you might give a try
it is called Tivaclean made by Krohn Technical products Carlstadt N J 07072
1800 526-6299
it can be used to clean both metal and plastic. It can also be used for electrocleaning and eliminates the need to use toxic chlorinated solvents it can be used hot or cold and in ultrasonic cleaners as well