Three Simple Steps to Care For Your High Quality Jewelry

1. Store it in a dry, safe place

Keep your jewelry dry!

I tell everyone this... no matter where you got your jewelry from or what kind of metal it is, keeping your jewelry dry will prevent the protective finish from wearing off the metal. Copper, brass and sterling jewelry all oxidize over time. This means taking your jewelry off when you bathe, wash your hands or go swimming. Storing your jewelry in a dry place is important as well. The bathroom has constant moisture, so make sure you put your piece somewhere like your bedroom, or even a soft jewelry box to help with this.

If you don't care so much about the coating wearing off, then it doesn't matter so much if it gets wet. As an experienced metalsmith, I will tell you that washing your uncoated metal jewelry is actually a good way to keep it bright and shiny. Coating on the inside of copper rings tends to wear off quite quickly so don't bother taking your rings off when you wash your hands! Anything that is rubbing on your skin constantly, like rings and bracelets, can be worn at all times.

2. Cleaning Your Jewelry

We don't have complete control over how metal jewelry reacts to things, so if it simply starts to feel dirty or looks dull, it might be time for a polishing or cleaning. 

The super easy method of baking soda!

Metal cleaning with baking soda is a good method for taking off dirt in crevices and makes your metal bright again. Baking soda is a very common household product that works great to neutralize acid. It also has just enough abrasiveness to help clean oxidation! You can buy a small or large bag of baking soda at any grocery or hardware store.

Add just enough water to the baking soda and mix it until it becomes a paste, similar to the consistency of toothpaste. Not too watery, yet not too dry. Take some of the mixture and rub it onto the copper with your finger (you can also use a wash cloth if you'd like) until you start to see the oxidation lighten up. You can do this until you are happy with how the piece of jewelry looks. Rinse the piece under water and make sure to pat dry when you are done. Avoid rubbing gemstones with baking soda.

The easy method of a polishing cloth!

I recommend the Sunshine polishing cloth, which you can buy in singles or a pack. You can use polishing cloths to clean sterling silver, copper, brass and any other metal that isn't plated! Simply take the cloth and rub it into the metal where you want it shined up until you get the results you are looking for. You can do this as often as you’d like.

The method of jewelry cleaning products!

There's a lot of products out there for cleaning copper, silver and other metals. Just keep in mind that these products work to strip oxidation away, leaving it bright and shiny. If you have a dark copper piece of jewelry that you don't want completely bright, I recommend avoiding these products and sticking with a polishing cloth. If you are using it for a bright piece of jewelry, I say go for it!

3. Coating Your Jewelry for a Long-Lasting Finish

Coat your jewelry in clear nail polish!

Yes, nail polish. I use something called Protectaclear which is specifically designed for jewelry. However, not everyone will have this in their home. You can use the nail polish on all the metal, avoiding the gemstone if there is one, and hang dry for 24 hours. You can re-coat as many times as you'd like. The more you coat, the more protected it will be. Just make sure you let it completely dry before re-applying.

Coat your jewelry in a jewelry wax or paste!

Again, there are many products out there and I will not speak for any of them, as I only use Protectaclear on my jewelry. Just make sure you read the instructions before using, as certain polishing compounds are for specific types of metals.

Common Questions

Should I Clean the Gemstone in my Metal jewelry?

I recommend avoiding the gemstone when cleaning the metal as you could potentially scratch it or make the finish dull. I recommend rinsing over and around the stone to remove debris, and then using a q tip to clean up any remaining gunk from crevices.

Is Copper Jewelry Safe to Wear?

Absolutely. Copper jewelry has been said to have countless health benefits. 

Some health benefits that have been studied related to wearing copper include the following: 

• Anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Helps ease and relieve joint pain like arthritis. 
• Helps cleanse the blood.
• Helps heal wounds.
• Increases energy.
• Helps adsorb iron.
• Helps maintain the nervous system.

Copper has many healing benefits, both in the mind and body. My customers swear by it, and I think you will too!

Woodland Metalsmith offers unique gemstone jewelry you won’t find anywhere else. 

Get ready to receive countless compliments 

*insert heart eye emoji face* 😍😍😍 ... Feeling the love yet? 😁

Every piece of jewelry you buy from Woodland Metalsmith is one of a kind, you won’t find two of the same anywhere.

My jewelry designs are all inspired by nature that surrounds my home in the Pacific Northwest. I am inspired by the Olympic Mountains, evergreen trees, woodland animals, shorelines and raging rivers of Washington State.

I collect all the gemstones and rocks for my jewelry from beaches and rivers beds of the Olympic Peninsula. The Pacific Northwest has many healing gemstones to offer, why not use them? As a lapidary artist, I spend time cutting and shaping those stones into cabochons to use for all the artisan jewelry you see. The lapidary art is a part of the jewelry making process that I thoroughly enjoy. It makes things much more local and sustainable, which is what handmade jewelry should be about!

What Sort of Gemstone Jewelry Can I Find at Woodland Metalsmith? 

You’ll enjoy professionally handcrafted jewelry that’s made to last.

• Hammered copper rings and bracelets

• Hypoallergenic gemstone earrings

• Mixed metal necklaces and earrings

• Gemstone pendant necklaces

Gemstone Copper jewelry at Woodland Metalsmith is not only unique and sustainable, it’s hard-wearing and made to last. 

When you purchase from me, you get beautiful made-by-hand copper jewelry that lasts several generations.

Each piece is made from the purest metals and the finest gemstones.

You get a piece of jewelry that has a story. A story I can tell you from start to finish. 

They are also handcrafted by a pretty kick-ass metalsmith if I say so myself… (Me). Not to toot my own horn! – I let my customers do that for me. 

What are customers saying about my handcrafted jewelry? 

“Looks even better in person than in the picture. Quick shipping, awesome customer service.” - Rebecca

“Pictures don't do this justice - it is absolutely beautiful! Shipped and arrived insanely fast (Washingtonian buyer here), packed with care. Many thanks for the gift!” - Amy

“I purchased this for my daughter's 18th birthday, and she loves it. Not only was the seller professional, but she was also kind, doing everything she could to get it shipped quickly, and even included an extra gesture. We will be sure to shop Woodland Metalsmith again” ❤ - Shauna

“Absolutely stunning! Will buy again, these crystals are perfect for everyday wear and have great energy” - Cassidy

These are just four 5-star reviews picked out from over 800 happy customer reviews! Come by my shop and check out our latest arrivals, you’re sure to find a piece of jewelry to call your own!

As always, thanks for being here and supporting my small handmade business.

Kahlia

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