QuestionQUESTION: I bought my wife a 1.5 carat oval tanzanite stone type 2 l carity about 5 years ago, from Diamond/Tanzanite International. We had it put into an anniversary ring a few years ago with a .56 ct. TW diamond on either side by Hannoush Jewelers. Recently we noticed that despite cleaning, the stone looks cloudy. She uses a cleaner called Connoisseurs which says its for delicate jewlery. My wife does cardio sonongraphy as a job,wearing medical blue gloves most of the day,works with household detergents, cleaners etc. She wears the ring 99% of the time.
Any idea what the problem is ,what is causing it and /or if it is repairable?
Thank you
ANSWER: HI MIKE,
TANZANITE IS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL AN EVERYDAY GEM. IT IS VERY DELICATE AND NOT VERY HARD. THEREFORE IT HAS A TENDENCY TO SCRATCH VERY EASILY. THE CLOUDINESS YOUR SEEING IS FINE SCRACHES ON THE SURFACE OF THE STONE CAUSED BY ANYTHING TOUCHING THE STONE. EVEN CLOTH WILL DULL THE SURFACE. THIS STONE IS NOT TO BE WORN DAILY. IF YOU WANT A STONE THAT IS MUCH MORE DURABLE THEN GET A SAPPHIRE. SAPPHIRE IS ALMOST AS HARD AS DIAMOND, AS A MATTER OF FACT ONLY DIAMOND AND ANOTHER SAPPHIRE WILL SCRATCH SAPPHIRE. THE STONE CAN BE REPOLISHED AND THE RING CAN TO. THIS WILL RESTORE THE ORIGINAL LOOK & SHINE BUT IT WILL DO IT AGAIN IF IT IS WORN ALL THE TIME. GOOD LUCK,
PETER
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Peter, where can I get the stone polished, the local jeweler told my wife it couldn't be polished out it would have to be recut.
Mike
AnswerHI MIKE,
THE STONE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CHIP OR DEEP SCRATCH TO NEED RECUTTING. FIND A LAPIDERY IN YOUR AREA AND HAVE HIM SHOW YOU THEIR WORK. SHOW HIM/HER THE STONE TO BE REPOLISHED AND GET THEIR OPINION.
THE PEOPLE I USE ARE THAILAND. THANKS
PETER
