Jewelry Care Guide

Caring for Your Willow West Jewelry

Every piece from Willow West is handmade with love using natural gemstones, resin, glass, and plated metals. A little care goes a long way in keeping your jewelry beautiful for years to come.

💧 Water & Shower Guidance

Gemstone Bracelets (crystal & natural stone)

  • Remove before showering, swimming, or washing hands when possible. Prolonged water exposure can weaken elastic cord and dull the surface of some stones.
  • A quick splash of water is generally fine, but soaking should be avoided.
  • Chlorinated (pool) water and saltwater can be especially harsh — always remove gemstone pieces before swimming.

Resin & Glass Pieces

  • Resin is water-resistant but not waterproof. Avoid submerging resin jewelry or exposing it to hot water, which can cause warping over time.
  • Brief contact with water is okay; dry promptly afterward.

Gold-Plated & Metal-Plated Jewelry

  • Keep plated pieces dry. Water, sweat, and humidity accelerate tarnishing and can cause the plating to wear away faster.
  • Remove plated necklaces, earrings, and rings before showering, exercising, or doing dishes.

🧵 Elastic & String Care

  • Elastic cord naturally stretches over time. Avoid pulling or overstretching your beaded bracelets.
  • Don't leave bracelets on your wrist while sleeping, as repeated bending weakens the cord.
  • Keep elastic and knotted-string pieces away from water as much as possible — wet cord is more prone to breaking and can take a long time to dry fully, which may cause mildew or weakening.

✨ Gentle Cleaning

Gemstones & Crystals

  • Wipe gently with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth.
  • Avoid harsh cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, or abrasive materials.

Gold-Plated & Metal Finishes

  • Use a soft, dry polishing cloth to buff away light tarnish.
  • Avoid chemical jewelry cleaners, toothpaste, or anything abrasive — these strip the plating.
  • A very slightly damp soft cloth can remove surface grime; dry immediately and thoroughly afterward.

Resin & Glass

  • Wipe with a soft, dry cloth. For stubborn smudges, a barely damp cloth works well.
  • Avoid solvents or alcohol-based cleaners, which can cloud or discolor resin.

🌸 Perfume & Chemical Cautions

  • Apply perfume, hairspray, and lotions before putting on your jewelry — not after. Chemicals in these products can dull stones, corrode plating, and degrade elastic.
  • Avoid contact with household cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and bleach.
  • Chlorine (pools, hot tubs) is particularly damaging to plated metals and elastic cord — always remove jewelry before swimming.

🌬️ Drying Your Jewelry

  • If any piece gets wet, gently pat it dry with a soft cloth right away.
  • Allow jewelry to air dry completely before storing it — never store damp jewelry, as trapped moisture speeds up tarnishing and can weaken cords.
  • Avoid drying with heat (hair dryers, direct sunlight for extended periods) as heat can affect resin and elastic.

🗄️ Storage Tips

  • Store pieces individually or in a soft pouch to prevent scratching — gemstones and metals can scratch each other.
  • Keep jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV exposure can fade some gemstones and resin over time.
  • Plated pieces benefit from being stored in an airtight bag or box to slow tarnishing.
  • For beaded bracelets, lay them flat or hang them to maintain shape.

💌 When to Contact Us

We stand behind every piece we make. If your jewelry arrives damaged, a clasp breaks within normal wear, or elastic snaps within the first few weeks, please reach out — we'd love to make it right.

You can contact us through our Contact page. Please include your order number and a photo if possible, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Thank you for choosing Willow West Jewelry. Handmade with care — and meant to be treasured. 🤍