Jewelry Care

Your Poppy Mountain Gems jewelry is handcrafted with natural gemstones, pearls, sea glass, shells, leather, copper, sterling silver, gold-filled metals, and other thoughtfully selected materials. Each material has its own character and care requirements. With gentle handling, proper storage, and a little regular attention, your jewelry can remain beautiful for years to come.

For pieces that combine different materials, always follow the care instructions for the most delicate component. A cleaner or polishing cloth suitable for metal may damage pearls, gemstones, shells, leather, or an intentional finish. Keep metal-polishing products away from these materials, and contact me before cleaning if you’re unsure which method is safe for your piece.

Everyday Jewelry Care

A few simple habits can make a meaningful difference in the life of your jewelry:

Put jewelry on after applying perfume, lotion, sunscreen, makeup, and hair products.
Remove jewelry before showering, swimming, sleeping, exercising, gardening, or doing household work.
Keep jewelry away from chlorine, saltwater, cleaning products, and other harsh chemicals.
Avoid pulling, twisting, dropping, or placing unnecessary pressure on delicate components.
Wipe jewelry gently after wearing to remove oils, moisture, and residue.
Allow jewelry to dry completely before storing it.
Store each piece separately to prevent scratching, tangling, and damage.

Jewelry should be the finishing touch you put on before leaving — and the first thing you remove when you return home.

What Is Gold-Filled Jewelry?

Gold-filled jewelry is made by mechanically bonding a substantial layer of karat gold to a base metal using heat and pressure. It contains considerably more gold than standard gold-plated jewelry, making it a durable and beautiful alternative to solid gold.

With appropriate care, gold-filled jewelry can maintain its finish for many years. Its longevity will depend on wear, body chemistry, exposure to moisture and chemicals, and how it is cleaned and stored.

Gold-filled jewelry is often well tolerated by people with sensitive skin — but individual sensitivities vary, and no material can be guaranteed to be suitable for everyone.

Gold-Filled Jewelry Care

To care for gold-filled jewelry:

Wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
For a deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water, a small amount of mild soap, and a soft cloth.
Rinse carefully and dry completely.
Avoid chlorine, saltwater, harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, and rough polishing materials.
Do not use silver dip, bleach, toothpaste, or baking soda.
Store it separately in a soft pouch or jewelry box.

A gentle jewelry polishing cloth may be used occasionally — but avoid excessive or aggressive polishing, which can gradually wear the surface.

Sterling Silver Jewelry Care

Sterling silver naturally develops tarnish when exposed to air, moisture, body oils, cosmetics, and certain chemicals. Tarnish is a normal characteristic of sterling silver and does not mean the jewelry is damaged.

To care for sterling silver:

Wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing.
Use a polishing cloth specifically designed for sterling silver.
Store it in an airtight bag or anti-tarnish pouch when not in use.
Keep it away from chlorine, saltwater, sulfur, bleach, and household cleaners.
Avoid abrasive scrubs, toothpaste, and rough polishing materials.
Dry it completely before storing.

If a piece has an intentional darkened or oxidized finish, polish it carefully — vigorous polishing may remove the finish and change the appearance of the design.

Copper Jewelry Care

Copper naturally reacts with air, moisture, and skin oils. Over time, it may deepen in color or develop a warm patina — this is a natural characteristic of copper and part of its evolving beauty.

Copper may also leave a temporary green or dark mark on the skin. This reaction is harmless for most people and is caused by the metal interacting with moisture, body chemistry, lotion, or sweat.

To care for copper jewelry:

Wipe it after wearing.
Keep it dry and away from lotions, perfumes, and household chemicals.
Store it in an airtight bag or anti-tarnish pouch.
Use a polishing cloth suitable for copper when you want to restore brightness.
Avoid aggressive polishing on pieces with an intentional patina or darkened finish.

A homemade copper-cleaning method should be used only on plain, uncoated copper without gemstones, pearls, leather, sea glass, shells, adhesive, or an intentional patina. When in doubt, contact me before cleaning the piece.

Natural Gemstone Care

Natural gemstones vary in hardness, durability, porosity, and sensitivity. A cleaning method that is safe for one gemstone may damage another.

For general gemstone care:

Wipe stones gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Avoid dropping, striking, or knocking gemstones against hard surfaces.
Keep gemstones away from harsh chemicals, extreme heat, and sudden temperature changes.
Do not soak gemstone jewelry unless you know the stone and setting are water-safe.
Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners unless a qualified jeweler has confirmed they are safe for that specific piece.
Store gemstone pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer materials.

Porous or delicate stones — including turquoise, malachite, opal, labradorite, moonstone, and certain treated stones — require especially gentle care. Keep them away from prolonged moisture, oils, cosmetics, chemicals, and excessive heat.

Because many natural stones contain inclusions or internal characteristics, even durable gemstones can be vulnerable to impact.

Pearl Care

Pearls are organic gems with delicate surfaces. They can be scratched or damaged by cosmetics, chemicals, excessive moisture, and improper storage.

Follow the traditional pearl-care rule — put pearls on last and take them off first.

To care for pearls:

Apply perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cosmetics before putting on your pearls.
Wipe pearls gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth after wearing.
Allow them to dry completely before storing.
Store them separately from harder gemstones and metals.
Keep them away from chlorine, household cleaners, acids, and abrasive products.
Do not use jewelry dip, polishing cloths, steam cleaners, or ultrasonic cleaners on pearls.
Never soak pearl jewelry.

Pearls benefit from being worn — but they should always be handled gently.

Sea Glass Care

Sea glass is shaped by years of movement through sand, saltwater, and stone. Although it may feel smooth and durable, it is still glass and can chip, scratch, or break if dropped or struck.

To care for sea-glass jewelry:

Wipe it with a soft, damp cloth.
Avoid dropping it onto hard surfaces.
Keep it away from abrasive cleaners and rough polishing materials.
Do not expose it to sudden temperature changes.
Avoid soaking pieces that also contain wire, leather, adhesive, pearls, or delicate gemstones.
Store it separately to prevent scratching.

Natural variations in shape, color, frost, surface texture, and size are part of what makes every piece of sea glass unique.

Shell Care

Shells are natural, organic materials that can be delicate and porous. Their surfaces may be scratched, dulled, chipped, or damaged by chemicals and prolonged moisture.

To care for shell jewelry:

Wipe it gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Keep it away from perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cleaning products.
Do not soak it in water.
Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Store it separately from hard gemstones and metals.
Protect it from impact, pressure, and extreme heat.

Variations in color, texture, shape, and markings are natural characteristics — not imperfections.

Leather Jewelry Care

Leather naturally softens and develops character over time. Water, oils, chemicals, and improper storage can cause staining, stretching, stiffness, or changes in color.

To care for leather jewelry:

Keep it away from water, perfume, lotion, oils, and household chemicals.
Remove it before bathing, swimming, exercising, or sleeping.
Do not soak or machine-wash leather jewelry.
Allow damp leather to air-dry naturally — never use direct heat.
Store it flat or hanging to help maintain its shape.
Avoid folding, crushing, or tightly bending leather cords.

Natural changes in tone and texture may occur with wear and are part of the character of genuine leather.

Stretch Bracelet Care

Stretch bracelets require gentle handling to protect the elastic and preserve their shape.

To care for stretch bracelets:

Roll the bracelet gently over your hand — do not pull or stretch it wide.
Avoid tugging on individual beads or sections of elastic.
Remove it before bathing, swimming, exercising, or sleeping.
Keep it away from lotions, oils, perfumes, chlorine, and saltwater.
Store it flat in a pouch or jewelry box.
Avoid exposing it to prolonged heat or direct sunlight.

Elastic naturally wears over time. Gentle handling will help extend the life of your bracelet.

Wire-Wrapped and Hand-Formed Jewelry Care

Wire-wrapped and hand-formed jewelry should be handled with care to maintain its intended shape.

Do not bend, twist, squeeze, or pull the wire.
Avoid catching the piece on clothing, towels, bedding, or hair.
Do not attempt to reshape the design yourself.
Store the piece where it will not be crushed or tangled.
Contact me before attempting a repair or major adjustment.

Hand-formed wire may naturally develop subtle changes with extended wear — careful handling will help preserve the original design.

Soldered and Stone-Set Jewelry Care

Soldered and stone-set pieces are designed for normal wear — but impact, pressure, and repeated exposure to chemicals can loosen settings or damage delicate components.

Avoid striking the jewelry against hard surfaces.
Check clasps, prongs, bezels, and connections periodically.
Stop wearing the piece if a stone or component feels loose.
Do not use glue or attempt a structural repair at home.
Contact me if you notice movement, damage, or a weakened connection.

Prompt attention to a loose stone or component may prevent permanent loss.

How to Store Your Jewelry

Proper storage protects jewelry from tarnish, scratches, tangling, and accidental damage.

For best results:

Store each piece separately.
Use a soft pouch, lined jewelry box, or individual storage bag.
Use anti-tarnish bags or tabs for sterling silver and copper.
Keep chains fastened to help prevent tangling.
Store stretch bracelets flat.
Keep leather pieces flat or hanging.
Avoid humid storage areas — especially bathrooms.
Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
Wrap pieces individually when traveling.

Before storing jewelry, make sure it is clean and completely dry.

A Note About Natural Materials

Natural gemstones, pearls, shells, sea glass, leather, and metals will not remain perfectly unchanged forever. They may gradually develop patina, soften, deepen in color, or show subtle signs of being worn and loved.

These changes are part of the character of natural and handcrafted jewelry — but thoughtful care will help preserve each piece’s beauty and integrity.

Questions About Your Jewelry?

If you are unsure how to clean or care for a particular piece, please contact me before trying a new cleaning method.

Include a photograph and any information you have about the piece so I can provide the most appropriate guidance.

Email: jane@poppymountaingems.com