Accessorizing an outfit with jewelry is one of the most fun ways to express yourself. From statement necklaces in vibrant colors to dangling earrings that shimmer with your every move, the perfect piece of jewelry has the power to make you look and feel your best.
If you regularly wear jewelry of any kind, you already know just how special, and maybe even sentimental, each piece can be.
That’s why learning how to properly and safely store your jewelry so it doesn’t tarnish should be a high priority. After all, there are plenty of ways to store jewelry, but did you know that some of them are harmful?
Whether you own a few simple pieces or have a full-blown fine jewelry collection, read on for everything you need to know about jewelry storage and long-term care.
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Where should you keep jewelry at home?
Finding the best way to store all your necklaces, rings, earrings, and other fine jewelry is a personal choice based on your preferences and habits.
For example: Do you prefer to keep your jewelry neatly tucked away or on display to help yourself choose the perfect accessory for every outfit? Do you take your jewelry off in the bathroom or the bedroom when the night out is over? Your unique answers to these questions will help you decide how and where to store your jewelry in your home.
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How to Store Jewelry: Helpful Storage Tips & Tricks
Personal preferences aside, some specific jewelry storage recommendations are universal.
Whether you’re looking for the best way to store jewelry you don’t wear, want to prevent tarnish proactively, or just need some guidance on how to organize your collection, here are some helpful jewelry storage tips to help get you started.
Separate jewelry by metal
Taking inventory of all of the different jewelry types you own can be a helpful first step in figuring out how to store it all. Make a few piles that separate fine jewelry, costume jewelry, and silver jewelry. Regardless of your chosen jewelry storage method, you’ll want to keep your jewelry separated by type, as this helps prevent the metals from tarnishing when they interact with one another.
If you need help telling the difference between costume jewelry and fine jewelry, read this guide for more insight.
Keep jewelry clean and dry
Before any jewelry is stored, make sure that it is clean and dry. Moisture of any kind can cause the metal to tarnish or degrade much more quickly. For instance, if you got caught in the rain while wearing your favorite silver necklace, be sure to thoroughly dry it off before putting it back.
If you’ve got jewelry that’s already tarnished, you may think it’s already beyond the point of cleaning. However, you should still try to remove tarnish from jewelry stored for more than a week. Storing dirty jewelry of any kind for a prolonged period can cause issues with premature and excessive tarnishing. Plus, storing tarnished jewelry with untarnished jewelry can cause both pieces to tarnish faster.
How to Clean Jewelry for Storage
Whether you’ll be storing jewelry together or separately, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean and polish your pieces before tucking them away.
Need a quick at-home jewelry cleaner recipe? Most jewelry can be cleaned using the following method:
- Mix a few drops of mild dish detergent and lukewarm water.
- Saturate the jewelry briefly in the solution.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to buff away dirt and debris.
- Pat jewelry dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Remove tarnish with a silver polishing cloth.
Read this: Be extra careful cleaning this fine jewelry.
Consider storage temperature
Did you know: High humidity is the main culprit that speeds up the tarnishing process of jewelry. If you live somewhere with a particularly humid climate, maybe you’ve noticed that your jewelry tarnishes faster in the summer months.
Wherever you decide to store your jewelry at home, it’s crucial to maintain low humidity levels to preserve and protect your collection. Consider running an air conditioner or dehumidifier in the room where your jewelry is stored. You could also buy silica packets for your jewelry box to absorb excess moisture.
In the same vein, the best jewelry storage spot in your home will also be a place with an overall consistent temperature. For example, don’t put your jewelry rack right above a heat vent. The fewer fluctuations in temperature, the better. Consider keeping jewelry boxes inside a consistently dark and cool interior closet. You could also hang a jewelry rack inside a closet door.
Climate-controlled storage units are another great option if you’re short on jewelry storage space at home. Interested in learning more? Check to see if Life Storage offers climate-controlled self-storage units near you today!
Related: The Benefits of Climate Controlled Storage: Do You Really Need It?
How to Store Specific Types of Jewelry
If you have an extensive collection, you may wonder how to store jewelry that varies in metal type. From sterling silver rings and earrings to pearls and other fine jewelry, here are some helpful jewelry storage types for each metal type:
What is the best way to store silver jewelry?
Silver jewelry typically does best when stored in a box lined with felt. That’s because the felt helps absorb excess moisture and prevent premature tarnishing. For larger silver pieces, it might be best to keep them stored separately inside their own dedicated felt pouch or wrapped in a silver polishing cloth to limit exposure to the air. In this case, you’ll have to remember what you have in your collection and make a conscious choice to wear it since it won’t be visually on display.
Even with proper storage, silver jewelry requires regular polishing at least twice a year to remove tarnish. Don’t over-polish silver jewelry, as this can also cause damage.
What is the best way to store fine jewelry?
Above all, fine jewelry should be kept in a secure location so it’s less susceptible to burglary. Consider keeping it inside a safe or another inconspicuous place in your home.
It’s also essential to store fine jewelry away from direct sunlight because some stones can become damaged by prolonged exposure to UV light. A high-quality jewelry box works great for pieces you don’t wear daily, but not all fine jewelry needs to be put away. Have a place on your dresser or nightstand where you can keep jewelry you wear daily, like your engagement ring or diamond studs.
Get in the habit of always putting your jewelry away in the same spot, so it’s less likely to get lost.
Other fine jewelry storage tips:
How to Store Diamonds: Store fine jewelry in a way that the pieces do not touch each other. Diamonds are capable of scratching other stones and metals.
How to Store Pearls: Keep pearls inside a wooden box with a felt lining. Never store pearls inside a plastic bag or box because plastic can interact with the pearls and cause them to deteriorate.
What is the best way to store costume jewelry?
Costume jewelry is generally safe to keep out in the open, so you can store these pieces on a jewelry display stand. Keeping costume jewelry in plain sight can be helpful so you don’t forget what you have, and you’re more inclined to wear it on a daily basis. After all, It’s unlikely you’ll want to dig through a jewelry box in the morning when you’re getting ready for work.
If you want to store costume jewelry for a more extended period of time, apply the same rules you would with fine jewelry. Keep this jewelry from touching inside the jewelry box, and maintain low humidity and consistent temperature.
Costume jewelry storage ideas:
- Keep necklaces from getting tangled using twist ties.
- Make a jewelry holder from an old frame.
- Use an old metal rake to store necklaces.
- Organize earrings in egg cartons.
Jewelry tip: Sick of jewelry tarnishing so quickly? Opt for costume jewelry that is rhodium plated! Rhodium is a metal that never tarnishes, meaning your jewelry will look great for years to come.
Consider jewelry insurance
No one wants to think about bad things happening. But if you have an extensive collection of fine jewelry, it’s important to properly protect it before tucking it away in storage.
Because fine jewelry is commonly stolen, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing jewelry insurance for peace of mind. And while it’s true that you’ll never be able to replace items of sentimental value, jewelry insurance companies can help cover your losses if anything is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Jewelry insurance can be obtained through your homeowners and renters insurance, and may even already be included in your current plan. If you haven’t already, take photos of your fine jewelry and create an inventory so that your collection can be insured.
Be sure to consult your insurance company before you store the jewelry in an offsite location like in a storage unit.
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Jewelry Storage Made Easy
Whether you’re brand new to the world of accessorizing or have been building up your fine jewelry collection for years, learning how to properly store your jewelry will keep it sparkling for years to come. Hopefully, this jewelry storage guide offered some insight to help get you started!
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