Keep your most precious jewels in excellent condition with these simple tips for storage and care.

You are getting ready to go out and suddenly remember a cute necklace that will go perfectly with your outfit. Open the jewelry box and... is a disaster! Now, you have to spend several minutes looking for it only to find it tangle and tarnish. 

How many times have you been in that scenario?

The good news is, it has a very simple solution: learn how to properly store and organize jewelry.

As your collection begins to grow, understanding the basic care to preserve every metal and stone is essential. Here we will give you some advice that will help you keep your favorite jewels beautiful for longer.

  1. Organize

Take inventory

The best thing to do to get you started is to know what awaits you. Take an inventory of everything you have, even the boxes and containers you’ll use for storage.

Analyze the type of jewel you own and the quantity; consider whether you should buy a  new jewelry box or additional box in order to keep them separate from each other.

Also, you have to look for the right space to keep your jewelry. You can place the ones you wear daily in one spot and the pieces you only wear on special occasions in another.

Choose the right jewelry box

Now that you have everything sorted out, it's time to gather all the storage boxes and jewelry organizers available to use and choose only those that will work the best. Here are some tips:

  • Use a jewelry box with a fabric interior. 

  • See if it has enough space to keep each item away from the other.

  • For fine jewelry, you can use the original box that it came in. These boxes are suitable for storage.

  • If you are going to buy a jewelry organizer, select one with enough compartments so you can put one piece per box.

  • Organizers with hooks are ideal for necklaces and bracelets as they prevent tangling.

  1. Divide and conquer

Julius Caesar´s strategy for combat is also applicable to win the battle against tarnish jewelry. Here’s why:

  • Not all precious metals have the same hardness, some like silver, tend to be softer than platinum and gold, the contact between them can cause scratches, so it’s best to group them together by metal when storing them. Gold with gold, silver with silver and so on.

  • Although diamonds are a girl's best friend, they don't get along with any other piece of jewelry. For being the hardest mineral on the planet, they can easily cause scratches on other gems, metals, and even on each other. That is why diamonds must be kept by themselves.

  • Stones such as opal and emerald are extremely delicate and require more air than the rest, which are better preserved in dry environments. Keeping them apart in a place with some air supply will work to preserve them.

  • Necklaces tangle with each other causing damage to the chain links and clasps, so it’s best to arrange them hanging on hooks.

  • For security, separate fine and high-value jewelry in a safe and inconspicuous place to protect them from theft.

To summarize, to protect your jewelry, divide and regroup is the strategy.

  1. Ideal Environment

Humidity is your jewelry's worst enemy, it can cause tarnish and mold. Check out these recommendations to find the best dry space for them inside your home:

  • Avoid humid places with direct sunlight. Never leave your jewelry in the bathroom or put your jewelry box near an open window.

  • Extreme cold or heat also tends to harm some gems and metals. Be careful not to put them near the heater or where they’ll get cold air directly.

  • If you live in a humid climate, put a piece of chalk or silica gel inside the jewelry box to keep it dry.

In short, the best place should have a stable temperature, be dry, and away from sunlight.

  1. Clean and Dry

Clean your jewelry regularly to keep them beautiful and shining. Start a good cleaning habit by doing the following:

  • Gently clean your jewelry after every use with a soft lint-free cloth.

  • Clean it more deeply using the right techniques at least once a month.  

  • Remember that you never should store a clean piece of jewelry with one that is tarnish and dirty. This will make it lose its shine and get tarnish more easily. 

  • Although the diamond is a very hard stone, grease and oils can stick to it making it dull and taint. Clean regularly those that you wear most often.

  • You should also clean your jewelry box to avoid dust. Empty it and vacuum. Make sure it has a fresh smell, some metals can absorb odors. 

  1. Everything where it belongs

Now that you have organized, divided, and cleaned, it’s time to put everything where it belongs.

Everyday Jewelry

Place your everyday jewelry in an accessible place. Remember that these are the ones you use often. For example, if you have a ring that you wear every day, it could be practical to leave it in a little box or on a saucer on your nightstand. 

You can also keep them displayed on hooks or organizers for greater comfort. A visible place such as the dresser, or in an accessible section inside your closet can also work great. Be aware of the light and humidity conditions to avoid deterioration.

Special Occasions Jewelry

The best way to preserve that treasured jewelry you have reserved for special occasions is in the classic jewelry box. A trick to keeping them clean for longer is to store them in individual velvet or cloth bags, that way you can also divide them properly.

The jewelry box should be kept in a dry environment. Try if possible, to avoid plastic, wooden, or tin containers unless they have a soft linen interior.

Final tips:

  • Use a paper straw to store your necklaces inside the jewelry box. Insert one end of the necklace through the straw and secure it with the clasp. This way you will avoid knots and tangles.

  • If you don't have cloth bags, the sealed plastic ones can be used to keep the piece dry and separate.

  • With a large button, you can secure the studs by putting them through the holes in the same way that you do in ears. That way, you’ll find its pair more easily.

  • Use the original box to store it. If you have space, it’s the best way to preserve fine pieces. Another option is to use a necklace or bracelet box to store several rings, as long as they can be separated and don’t have contact with each other.

  • Use cotton or felt fabric to wrap silver jewelry that you don't wear regularly to keep them clean for longer.

Last but not least, remember to have them checked with a jeweler at least every two years to verify that the gems are secured and the clasps are working properly.

Now that you know everything, let’s get to work!

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