How to Store and Protect Your Jewelry
Storing a piece of fine jewelry in a cluttered drawer is like owning a Ferrari and parking it outdoors. When you treasure your belongings, you should protect them. Below, we talk about jewelry storage ideas for your precious collection. Learning how to organize your jewelry correctly can help you avoid heartbreak by safeguarding your heirloom pieces.
Why Is Storing Jewelry Properly So Important?
All jewelry eventually shows signs of wear and tear, but carefully storing it can keep weathering to a minimum. Placing your collection in a dedicated jewelry storage box helps you keep everything in one place to prevent accidental loss and deter petty thieves. An opaque jewelry case or organizer protects jewels from harsh UV rays that can dull their shine, and containers with compartments prevent chains from tangling together and breaking.
Choosing the Right Jewelry Storage
The type of jewelry box or organizer you choose will depend on the size of your collection and the specific pieces you want to protect. If you own many earrings, an organizer for them will look very different from a jewelry box for necklaces. Below, we’ll discuss how to store jewelry at home versus on the road.
At-Home Jewelry Storage
Home is where your jewelry will mostly live (when you’re not wearing it, of course), so it’s worth dedicating some space to it. Before you buy anything, consider your collection. How much jewelry do you own, and what type? Your best bet is a large jewelry organizer with space for everything — a hanging section for necklaces, slots for rings and earrings, and drawers for bracelets.
Despite the allure of a fancy modern jewelry box on your vanity, an incognito organizer could be a safer option if you own expensive pieces. Fixing the box to the wall or installing a lock will protect your precious jewels in the event of a burglary.
Travel Jewelry Storage
Traveling with expensive jewelry can be stressful — we all have a story of losing something we once treasured. The best jewelry box for travel isolates each piece completely to prevent things from scratching against each other. Make sure you choose something with a very soft interior (think velvet or silk) so your stones won’t chip if they happen to move around.
A portable jewelry organizer should keep earrings and necklaces secure, so look for sturdy clips and pockets. If you’re worried about traveling with your best jewelry, consider upcycling an old piece as a travel-friendly spare.
The Benefits of Organizing Your Jewelry
Storage is one thing, and jewelry organization is another. Organizing your pieces according to type, metal, or how often you wear them can make accessorizing much easier. It will help you find the jewelry you want much faster and save time getting ready.
A well-organized jewelry container also gives you a nice overview of everything you have at any given time, so you never “forget” about a piece for too long. It facilitates jewelry rotation so you can wear statement pieces more often and make the most of your collection.
Tips for Organizing Jewelry
Not sure how to store earrings versus necklaces or rings? What about when you need to put them all together? Here are three ways to organize jewelry to always look tidy.
Categorize According to Your Personal Patterns
Thinking about how you wear jewelry can help you find the best jewelry organizer for your daily needs. If you only ever wear a wedding ring and the same pair of earrings, you hardly need an organizer that puts necklaces at the front and center. Instead, you might get a small jewelry box for your earrings that you can keep under your mirror and stash everything else in a safe.
If you like having more jewelry, you could categorize your pieces by what you tend to wear together. For example, you can keep your favorite silver necklace and charm bracelet in one compartment or house stackable rings in adjacent ring slots.
Use Dividers and Compartments
The best jewelry boxes have many compartments that can store items separately. Limiting the number of pieces in one compartment will prevent tangling and scratches. If the box isn’t big enough, consider getting a separate earring organizer box or necklace stand to house the rest of your collection. The shape of the compartment also matters—longer ones are best for laying out necklaces or placing a few bracelets side by side. Square ones are good for keeping earring pairs together.
Decide Whether to Hang Jewelry or Lay It Flat
Of all the necklace storage ideas, hanging them on a jewelry stand is one of the best. It’s a good option for anyone wondering how to store necklaces without getting them tangled. The next best solution would be to lay each one flat in its own long, soft-lined tray. The hanging method also works well for dangle earrings and charm bracelets prone to tangling.
Protecting Your Jewelry From Damage with JPratt Designs
Putting everything in a nice jewelry box is not the only way to care for your jewelry. Regular cleaning is also vital. When you wear your jewelry, always follow the last on, first off principle — put it on right before you leave and take it off before you remove any clothing.
Remember that perfume and hair spray can damage fine jewelry over time. Avoid exposure as much as possible, and keep your jewelry in an airtight case. Alternatively, use silica pouches to absorb excess moisture from the air. Finally, you may want to invest in jewelry insurance to protect against damage and theft.
JPratt Designs offers custom jewelry design services in Dallas, Texas. Please contact us for more bracelet, necklace, and earring storage advice and take a look at our recommended jewelry products for more ideas.