What does Opuntia mean?

Opuntias are a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family, more commonly known as the prickly pear. The Spanish name for opuntia is nopal. Nopales are one of the fundamental symbols of Mexico. They are considered a life giving plant, for its resilience in the harsh desert environment that it thrives in.

I was born and raised in Mexico, so I wanted a name that would be symbolic of my love for the country I grew up in, as well as the love for the country I live in now.

What materials do you use?

14k gold fill, sterling silver, nickel free brass, copper, natural gemstones, freshwater pearls, and some glass beads.

How do I care for my jewelry?

14k Gold Fill & Sterling Silver: To keep your jewelry clean and shiny you will want to gently remove oils and make up with a soft cloth, like a polishing cloth or flannel. If your jewelry came in to contact with sunscreen, saltwater, sweat or harsh chemicals I recommend a quick rinse with lukewarm water, and a mild soap. Make sure to remove all of the soap before thoroughly drying your jewelry for storing. Your jewelry won’t get ruined if you sleep or shower in it, but removing it before a shower or bed will do wonders to keep it clean longer.

14k Gold fill and sterling silver will tarnish, but if you follow these simple care tips you can keep your jewelry shiny for a long long time.

Brass: I use an antiqued brass chain to create a lot of my jewelry, but because its antiqued you do not need to do anything to maintain it. I do recommend removing before showering and going to bed. Your brass findings will get dirty but they are super easy to clean and polish with common household items. One method is by making a paste mixing baking soda with white vinegar, apply to your brass and gently polish with a cloth, rinse and dry thoroughly. Another common household item you can use to clean your brass jewelry is comet or ajax. Simply add some water to small container, just enough to cover your brass, sprinkle some ajax or comet in and stir it up. Drop your brass jewelry in the mixture for a few seconds, rinse and dry thoroughly, gently polish with a soft cloth

Is your jewelry nickel free?

All of the materials used are nickel free! If you suffer from skin allergies or sensitivity I would suggest sterling silver and 14k gold fill over brass. If you find something in brass that you absolutely love, you can always reach out to me about a custom order.