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Jewelry Storage Tips

Protecting your Jewelry involves a number of factors, and two of the most important are, jewelry storage and cleaning. Safe Jewelry Storage-Fire Proof Safe Click here for some interesting cleaning jewelry tips that you won't find anywhere else!

Over the years, many people have shared with me similar stories, namely that they have so much jewelry, but that they have it buried away in a jewelry storage box or safety deposit boxes.

Although fire safes and deposit boxes usually are, (interesting story further down) the safest places for safe-keeping of your estate and antique jewelry, it pays to keep in mind that JEWELRY was made for the soul purpose of being worn and admired, and in my mind, it's almost criminal not to take it out and wear it from time to time. Jewelry is by its nature, to be worn and enjoyed to its full glory, not to be hidden.

When you invest in gold and diamond antique jewelry or perhaps you have decided to invest in Georgian jewelry, which is one of the most popular styles to collect, then, to reduce the risk of burglary, you should keep your jewelry out of easy reach and out of sight.

To keep your jewelry safe and secure and in the best possible condition, choose a home-safe, lockbox, your traditional handcrafted jewelry boxes jewelry organizer, jewelry armoire, the popular but non-traditional unique jewelry boxes or even your burglar-proof gun vault, with the same care as when you choose your estate and antique jewelry.

Safe-keep your antique jewelry by storing it in a secure location in your home. Security in your home, especially when you have a sizable antique jewelry collection is really important.

Convenience, fire and theft are good reasons why antique jewelry investors often have a fire safe installed or use bank deposit boxes.

The problem, is that It’s often more expedient if you run a jewelry business and need to photograph your jewelry regularly, to use a jewelry storage box, in the home rather than a safe-deposit box. Going to the bank to retrieve jewelry gets tiresome.

Even the bank safe-deposit box though isn't always, well, safe.when it comes to jewelry storage!

In 2003, in the world's largest safe-deposit box theft, thieves in Antwerp opened 123 boxes, and carried away $100 million worth of diamonds, gold and jewelry. Click here to read the full story.

You would be surprised at the amount of people that "hide" their "Good Bits".

If you do ‘hide’ your jewelry somewhere in your home, although I don't recommend this way of storage, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Many people hide jewelry and then forget where they put them. Yes, it happens!

Over the years it may fade from memory and should it happen they ever pass away, those pieces may never be seen again.

Some people tell a trusted relative where they have hidden their jewelry. But to safeguard yourself and your heirs from such a disaster ever happening to you, organize now your personal record and vital information with Heirs Affairs Personal Record Keeping System.

Insuring Jewelry

Regardless of whether you have your jewelry "hidden" and hopefully recorded, or stored away in a ‘safety deposit’ style box, wall safe or jewelry safe cabinet, you should still insure your jewelry.

If you don't wear the items regularly or are saving them to pass down, consider keeping your jewelry in a safety deposit box.

You may save money on the cost of [insuring] your jewelry also as some companies offer "in vault" coverage.

There are thousands of beautiful jewelry boxes in all shapes and sizes for jewelry storage, but keep in mind that although your jewel box might look perfect with your furnishings on your dresser, it is also easy for burglars to see and the contents of your jewelry box or what's hiding in the top of your dressing table drawers are the first thing thieves will grab.

Many antique jewelry investors use an everyday jewelry storage box, not for their really 'good bits' but for every-day, less expensive commercial jewelry and non-precious costume jewelry.

Time to step outside the box and discuss jewelry storage solutions n the light of your precious investment.

Jewelry Storage Tips

There are right and wrongs ways to store fine Antique Jewelry. Your personal jewelry storage requirements are contingent with the style and size of your jewelry collection. The information here will help you decide on the most appropriate jewelry storage solution that will work best for you.

Earrings:

Never place your antique diamond earrings loose on a jewelry storage tray. Only diamond can scratch other diamonds and this method of storage facilitates this. Earrings should be stored on an individual earring pad that allows separate face up storage for each earring with the friction or screw back attached.

Pendants:

Disarranged, tangled and knotted chains during storage can damage your jewelry. It can also be very frustrating trying to untangle when you have an appointment. Wooden jewelry boxes that have pendant hooks built into the inner lid or a side panel will allow you to store the chains in the hanging position and secure the pendant itself snugly inside a shirred pouch.

Watches:

Many jewelry boxes feature watch forms that allow you to store watches on a round form with the clasp secured and face up just like you wear it on your wrist.

Bracelets:

Best stored on a pillow inset in jewelry boxes. The pillow provides gentle support in its own special compartment to keep the bracelet from colliding against other jewelry.

Gemstones Jewelry:

Some gemstones are quite soft and easily damaged. Opals, coral, persian turquoise, especially old opal jewelry, and expensive moonstone jewelry should be separated within their own pouch compartments.

The hydrous nature of these gems makes them vulnerable to scratches, sharp blows, hot water, and household chemicals. Water and light can even change the color of turquoise and its skin can easily absorb body oils.

Antique Emerald and Diamonds rings and sapphire rings should be stored upright in a ring tray and Emeralds should not be in constant contact with any cloth or absorbent surface.

Although diamonds are the hardest of the gemstones, both old and new diamonds can be brittle and if a diamond is hit on a cleavage point, it can chip. Never allow your diamond antique jewelry to be stored loose or come into contact with other gemstones as it will scratch them.

Pearls:

Strands of cultured pearls should not be stored hanging but should be stored so that pearls do not come into contact with each other. Hanging strands of pearls also weakens the silk due to the force of gravity. Store flat, and if you have multiple strands of pearls store in separate trays or with a padded liner between then if you stack the strands.

Cultured pearls and natural pearls are organic gemstones and unless you're an oyster you can't repair a pearl, therefore knowing how to care for your pearls is vital information.

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