Jewelry Storage
Whether or not a piece of jewelry is expensive, it can be a great source of pride and joy for its owner. Many families pass down jewelry through the generations, forming a value that’s impossible to replace. Necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and other pieces are a form of art. Creativity, uniqueness, and love go into each piece. Another aspect of jewelry is that it can be fragile, tarnish, or otherwise get damaged, especially if improperly stored. Here are some tips on how to store your jewelry, either for moving or for putting into long-term storage.
Cleanliness
It’s important to clean your jewelry before putting it away, especially for long-term storage. Dust, oils from our skin, and other grime can wear away at some materials or cause stains. It will also be more difficult to clean off later if you let it sit around dirty. What you use to clean each piece depends on the materials it’s made from, but most jewelry can be cleaned with a clean, soft cloth or towel. Hard gems like diamond are difficult to damage while cleaning, but be especially careful with soft, organic materials like pearl or amber.
Separation
Jewelry boxes exist for good reason. Keeping pieces separate from each other is important for jewelry storage. If you throw all of your pieces into one large container, they may get tangled, scratched, chipped, or otherwise damaged. Some of the materials they’re made of can rub off on each other, causing discoloration. You don’t need a fancy, expensive box to keep your jewelry safe. Check out a home supply store for plastic containers with drawers and use something like cloth or tissue paper to keep each piece from sliding around. Your jewelry will last much longer if it’s properly separated from other pieces.
Climate Control
As with many belongings, jewelry does best in cool, dry environments. Water wreaks havoc on some materials. Make sure you store everything in an area that won’t get too humid or is prone to leaks or flooding. Most jewelry keeps best at room temperature. Extreme heat is especially dangerous for some materials. Even if the metals and gems survive the temperature, it might warp the pieces. Parts can fall out, especially if glue was used to help hold them into position. It’s also best to keep your jewelry away from direct sunlight. Overexposure to the sun will cause the pieces to fade over time.
Long-Term Storage
Renting a storage unit is a great way to keep valuables out of the way, safe, and in great condition over long periods of time. If you don’t need constant access to some of your jewelry, consider putting it into your portable storage unit. When packing, make sure each piece is clean, dry, and separate. Porta-Stor’s units are safe and secure and will protect your jewelry from heat, cold, water, and moisture. Our containers have locks that are hidden into the side of the container for added security.
Keep your valuables safe and in the best condition possible with proper jewelry storage. Make sure each piece is clean, cool, dry, and separated from other pieces before you put them into storage. Whether you’re moving to a new home or just need to get some valuables out of the way and into a secure location, storage units are a great place for jewelry storage.