What is actually under there
Soap that never rinsed out, hand cream, skin, and whatever has gone through your hands. It packs into the space beneath the stone and behind the prongs and sets into a paste that ordinary rinsing will not shift.
Why it is worth removing
- It kills the stone. Light cannot get through it, so the sparkle goes.
- It holds moisture against the metal and against the base of the prongs.
- It hides problems. A loose stone or a worn prong can sit under that layer unnoticed.
- It gets harder the longer it is left, and eventually needs picking out rather than washing out.
How we get it out
Settings are pressed first, because a loose stone plus vibration is how stones get lost. Then it is cleaned properly, including behind and beneath, and checked again afterwards. On heavily packed pieces some of it has to come out by hand before anything else will touch it.
Keeping on top of it
A soft toothbrush under warm running water once a fortnight, aimed at the back of the setting rather than the top. Take rings off before hand cream. That is genuinely most of it.
Questions we get asked
Can I get it out myself?
A soft toothbrush and warm soapy water aimed at the back of the setting helps a lot. Set-in build-up needs proper cleaning.
Is it damaging my ring?
It holds moisture against the metal and hides loose stones, so it is worth removing rather than living with.
Will you check the stones?
Always, before and after. That is the part that matters.
How long does it take?
Usually while you wait.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.