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There aremany ways to clean fine jewelry at home.
Ammonia is an effective method for cleaning silver, gold, platinum, brass, and diamond jewelry.
In some cases, jewelry like rings can harbor bacteria, too.
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However, proceed with caution when using ammonia.
Though it will make your diamonds shine, it’s potent and can be hazardous if mishandled.
It can damage your jewelry if not used correctly.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Additionally, while ammonia is strong, it does not kill germs.
Warning
Always keep ammonia away from bleach.
These stones have a protective coating or resin that ammonia can eat through and destroy.
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Avoid using ammonia on copper.
Read on to learn how to clean your jewelry using ammonia.
Save an ammonia cleaning method for a special jewelry treatment every three or four months.
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Err on the side of caution with this mixture, because a bit of ammonia goes a long way.
Submerge the Jewelry
Soak your jewelry in the solution for 10 minutes.
Don’t brush too harshly; brushing can loosen a diamond or scratch certain metals.
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Re-soak for 10 Minutes
Put the jewelry back in the solution for 10 more minutes.
This step will help dislodge any stubborn grime and dirt left over from the first scrub session.
Re-brush and Polish
After 10 minutes in the new solution, gently brush a second time.
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Then, polish and shine the metal with a lint-free cloth.
Rinse With Cool Water
Rinse the jewelry with cool water.
Pat dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.
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Allow the jewelry to dry fully before youstore it away.
Infection control and hospital epidemiology vol.
30,5 (2009): 427-32. doi:10.1086/596771
Dangers of Mixing Bleach With Cleaners.
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Washington State Department of Health.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
