What Are the Best Ways to Protect and Preserve Valuable Jewelry?

Jewelry is not merely an accessory and a statement piece, it is part of our heritage and has intrinsic and sentimental value. When we choose to purchase jewelry, we must focus on protecting our possessions.

Besides preventing tangling (this is why we need to store our jewelry correctly), we must maintain the beauty and worth of our jewelry collection over time. Let's see 5 critical methods for keeping your precious jewelry items securely stored!

Keep Your Jewelry Organized

By having an organized method of storing your items, you can minimize the threat of scratching, tarnishing, or accident damage when storing them all together. To begin, separate your jewelry pieces by type, so the chains (possibly knotting) will not come in contact with one another; and the stones may not potentially scratch one another.

In addition to type, sort by material (i.e., gold, silver, platinum) and organize accordingly. By doing so, you reduce the risk for any metals reacting with one another, thus causing damage; in addition to making it easier and quicker to locate your jewelry once you are ready to wear it.

Use Jewelry Cases or Bags

After organizing your jewelry, the next step is to put them away in a proper storage container. Doing so will help you avoid the temptation to mix your jewelry collection in 1 drawer, as this will promote introducing tangles and confusion with your jewelry collection.

Dedicated jewelry storage containers like boxes and bags lined with soft cloth will keep your pieces separated to help prevent tangling and prevent any potential damage from dirt; and help maintain their original shine to reduce any visible wear or tear on your precious jewelry.

Avoid Exposure to Humidity & Sunlight

Humidity and sunlight are 2 of the most damaging environmental factors affecting jewelry. Over time, humidity can result in the tarnishing of some metals; and some stones will be discolored by exposure to humidity. Additionally, colored stones and pearls are subject to fading over time if exposed to sunlight. Bathrooms and direct sunlight will not be appropriate areas to store your jewelry; so, find an environment that is cool, dry, and slightly dark; with the best additional protection of a fabric cover.

Utilize Security with Locks & Breastplates

When we think of securing our jewelry, we automatically think of preventing theft, but we must also consider using security such as lockable jewelry storage to help ensure that we do not accidentally spill, misplace or lose our items. Therefore, a minor financial commitment in the form of a jewelry box with a lock and key, or a durable piece of luggage designed to store jewelry will help you sleep more soundly knowing your most precious jewelry will be safe.

Maintain and Clean Your Jewelry Regularly

Although proper storage is extremely important, another equally important consideration is to regularly clean your jewelry. Dust and oil from your hands can build up on your jewelry, and this build-up will eventually cause your jewelry metal or stone to lose its luster. After every time you wear each piece of jewelry, wipe it with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to keep them shiny.

If you would like a deeper cleaning of your jewelry pieces, consider using warm water mixed with a small amount of a mild detergent; you can safely use a toothbrush to clean the intricate areas on your jewelry that can be exposed to dirt. After cleaning your jewelry with water, remember to dry them completely before putting them back in their storage.

Takeaway

Good storage practices are your jewelry’s best friend for longevity. By being diligent about practicing these 5 safe jewelry storage methods on your jewelry, you’re not just keeping your jewelry collection neat, clean and organized; you are showing your love to, and investment in, your jewelry piece-by-piece.