Fine jewelry has a special place in your life. As well as being an investment, it’s also deeply sentimental, given to commemorate milestones and destined to be passed on to future generations. So it’s important to store your fine jewelry properly.
You can’t simply hide it away in a drawer and hope for the best. Fine jewelry is made from gemstones and precious metals that have specific storage considerations. But if you get it right, your jewelry will reward you by maintaining its strength and brilliance for years to come. Whether you’re building a collection or investing in your first piece, here’s what you need to know about fine jewelry storage.
Why jewelry storage matters
Jewelry storage matters because if you don’t pay attention to luxury jewelry care, you risk damaging your favorite pieces. Every gemstone and precious metal has a different level of hardness, so they can scratch each other if they’re jumbled up together. Diamond, for example, is the hardest material of all. Platinum, while durable, actually scratches easily if it comes into contact with hard surfaces and other metals.
Each metal comes with its own specific considerations. White gold gets its bright, shiny finish from rhodium plating; with proper storage, you can help prevent the plating from wearing thin and maintain its appearance for longer. With silver, the aim is to prevent this precious metal from tarnishing. Then there’s the threat of environmental damage – from humidity, sunlight or changes in temperature. With careful jewelry storage, however, you can keep your collection protected.
Shannon Murphy, Founder of Simply Living Co and accredited professional organizer, provides some tips on where to start with dressing table organization.
“Only keep jewelry and accessories you wear daily on your dressing table. Occasional pieces are better stored elsewhere, unless you have larger storage built in. The goal is to have what you actually use ready and accessible. Not only does this make your dressing table more aesthetically pleasing, but its function runs more smoothly. If it’s sentimental but you don’t wear it, store it in an airtight container in a less-used location.
“Some jewelry tarnishes faster when left out due to exposure to air, moisture, and everyday products. A ring bowl or jewelry stand is great for pieces you wear and clean regularly, but less-used items should always be stored away.”
The golden rules of jewelry storage
Everything starts with our jewelry storage tips. These six rules are non-negotiable:
- Store each piece separately. This is hands-down the most important rule for preventing scratches and metal-on-metal abrasion. Keep everything separate in its own individual pouch or compartment.
- Use soft-lined compartments – think velvet, suede or other fabric linings to prevent the metal and gemstones from bumping up against hard surfaces.
- Keep your jewelry dry, and store it away from humid locations like bathrooms and kitchens. Humidity can cause silver to tarnish, and can damage porous gemstones such as pearls.
- Fasten clasps before storing to prevent necklaces and bracelets getting hopelessly tangled.
- Clean your jewelry before long-term storage – dirt, oils and chemicals can all damage your jewelry if they’re left on the surface over time. See our jewelry care guide for jewelry cleaning tips.
- Finally, store your high-value pieces in a safe and secure location.
How to store different precious metals
If you’ve come across our metals guide, you’ll know that every precious metal has its own unique qualities and characteristics. It’s important to bear these in mind when you’re shopping around for jewelry storage solutions. Whether you’re looking to store silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing or seeking the best way to store platinum jewelry to protect it from scratches, here’s our in-depth guide.
How to store yellow gold
Like all of the gold used to make fine jewelry, yellow gold is mixed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. So while yellow gold is typically resistant to tarnishing and prone to scratching, the purity of the gold is important. Higher-karat alloys such as 18K gold are unlikely to tarnish but as the metal is softer, they might scratch more easily. For lower-karat alloys such as 9K yellow gold, the opposite applies.
How to store gold jewelry in its natural shade of yellow? As with all fine jewelry, the key is to store each piece in its own soft pouch or separate compartment to avoid contact with harder metals or diamonds. As for the ideal environment, store your yellow gold pieces in a dry place at room temperature to prevent them being damaged by humidity.
How to store white gold jewelry
White gold owes its bright white color and shiny finish to rhodium plating, which can wear away over time to reveal slightly yellower gold underneath. How, then, can you store white gold jewelry to maintain its appearance for longer?
Get into the habit of storing your white gold pieces individually, keeping them away from other pieces that can cause abrasion. Resist the temptation to stack your rings together in storage; again, they can rub up against each other and cause the rhodium plating to wear off. Do remember, however, that while proper storage will help maintain the rhodium plating for longer, you’ll still need to take your white gold jewelry in for professional re-plating every few years or so.
How to store rose gold jewelry
Ever wondered what gives rose gold its signature pinkish color? It’s all down to the copper in the alloy – a metal that makes rose gold durable enough for everyday wear in jewelry while creating that beautiful blush tone. The end result is still prone to scratches, however. So just like your other jewelry, rose gold pieces should be stored individually to avoid coming into contact with harder metals and gemstones that might damage them.
Environmental conditions are important when you’re considering storage solutions. Keep your rose gold jewelry in a cool, dry, place away from moisture and humidity to help prevent the surface from dulling. The copper in rose gold can react with sunlight, so it’s important to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, too.
How to store silver jewelry
Of all the precious metals, silver is the one that’s most prone to tarnishing. Silver reacts with small amounts of sulfur compounds in the air to form silver sulfide – the thin black or gray coating that we see as tarnish. Moisture in the air accelerates this process.
How to prevent tarnishing? First, it’s particularly important to avoid humid environments when storing your silver pieces. Then take care to tidy them away in airtight containers or zip pouches to avoid long-term exposure to the air.
How to store platinum jewelry
Platinum is famously the most dense and durable of all the precious metals, but that doesn’t give you license to treat it badly. In fact, platinum jewelry should be stored as carefully as any other piece in your collection. That’s because platinum can develop a patina over time – a worn, dull look resulting from the tiny bumps and scratches of daily life. And because it’s so hard, it can also scratch softer metals when they come into contact with each other.
Each piece of platinum jewelry should be stored separately to prevent damaging – or being damaged by – another metal. If you’re storing an engagement ring, we recommend using a structured ring box or ring holder that holds it snugly in its own slot. This will help protect your ring from any knocks and scratches that could dull its shine.
Store jewelry with diamonds & gemstones
Diamond is the hardest natural material, which makes it a great choice for jewelry that you wear every day. However, it does mean that diamonds can scratch everything they come into contact with, including other diamonds. So when you’re considering jewelry storage boxes, make sure that you choose a box with separate compartments so that you can store your diamond pieces individually.
Leaving your jewelry on the windowsill is never a good idea from a security point of view, but some colored gemstones are also at risk of fading if they’re exposed to sunlight for too long. While aquamarine, amethyst and topaz are particularly sensitive, we recommend keeping all your gemstone jewelry away from direct sunlight. Remember too that gemstones can scratch softer stones and metals, and that they can be scratched in turn. So resist the temptation to stack your diamond and gemstone rings together; store each one separately instead. You can find out more about colored gemstones in our gemstones guide.
Jewelry storage solutions for your collection
Serious about looking after your collection? We’ve pulled together our top jewelry storage ideas to get you organized.
- Look for high-quality jewelry boxes with individual compartments so that you can store each piece separately and prevent the different metals and gemstones from scratching each other. This will also protect chain necklaces and bracelets from tricky tangles.
- Careful jewelry storage is all about soft surfaces. Choose drawer inserts with fabric linings so that you don’t bump your favorite pieces when you open and close the drawers.
- Do you have a showstopping necklace that you save for special occasions? Or perhaps an heirloom piece that you plan to pass on to your children? If you have any high-value pieces in your collection, it pays to invest in dedicated secure storage. Options include installing a safe, anchored to a solid floor or wall in your home, or keeping your most precious pieces in a safety deposit box.
- Don’t neglect travel jewelry storage. To prevent damage when you’re in transit, store your jewelry in a travel jewelry case with structured compartments.
- Whether it’s simple solitaire studs or a go-anywhere pendant, we all have pieces that we reach for day after day. Minimalist display trays keep your favorites to hand.
- Finally, remember that bedroom jewelry storage can make a lovely addition to your dressing table in its own right. Shop around for a jewelry case or box that’s beautiful as well as practical.
“I believe in quality over quantity,” adds Shannon. “If you don’t love it or use it, consider letting it go. Keeping only the items that make you feel good will help make a dressing table feel intentional and stress-free. Solutions such as drawer dividers and boxes inside drawers are perfect for separating accessories, jewelry or makeup, but make sure you actively use these items.”
When to clean, inspect and professionally maintain
Whether it’s a mirror with jewelry storage or a leather jewelry case, jewelry care doesn’t stop when you find the perfect storage solution. It’s important to keep an eye on your favorite pieces and clean them regularly too.
It goes without saying that you should clean your jewelry and let it dry thoroughly before long-term storage to protect it from oil, dirt and moisture. If you have a piece that you wear every day – your engagement ring, for example – check the settings every time you give it a clean to ensure that any diamonds or gemstones are still held securely. Finally, bring your jewelry in for an annual professional inspection, and take your white gold pieces in for rhodium re-plating every few years.
A final thought
Mastered the art of jewelry storage? Add to your collection at Austen & Blake. From everyday rings to statement diamond earrings, you’ll find a wide range of contemporary jewelry for every style and occasion, and every piece is made to order so that it’s truly individual. Explore our collections of diamond jewelry and find something special that you’ll love showing off when it’s not tucked away safely in its box.
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Fine jewelry has a special place in your life. As well as being an investment, it’s also deeply sentimental, given to commemorate milestones and destined to be passed on to future generations. So it’s important to store your fine jewelry properly.
You can’t simply hide it away in a drawer and hope for the best. Fine jewelry is made from gemstones and precious metals that have specific storage considerations. But if you get it right, your jewelry will reward you by maintaining its strength and brilliance for years to come. Whether you’re building a collection or investing in your first piece, here’s what you need to know about fine jewelry storage.
Why jewelry storage matters
Jewelry storage matters because if you don’t pay attention to luxury jewelry care, you risk damaging your favorite pieces. Every gemstone and precious metal has a different level of hardness, so they can scratch each other if they’re jumbled up together. Diamond, for example, is the hardest material of all. Platinum, while durable, actually scratches easily if it comes into contact with hard surfaces and other metals.
Each metal comes with its own specific considerations. White gold gets its bright, shiny finish from rhodium plating; with proper storage, you can help prevent the plating from wearing thin and maintain its appearance for longer. With silver, the aim is to prevent this precious metal from tarnishing. Then there’s the threat of environmental damage – from humidity, sunlight or changes in temperature. With careful jewelry storage, however, you can keep your collection protected.
Shannon Murphy, Founder of Simply Living Co and accredited professional organizer, provides some tips on where to start with dressing table organization.
“Only keep jewelry and accessories you wear daily on your dressing table. Occasional pieces are better stored elsewhere, unless you have larger storage built in. The goal is to have what you actually use ready and accessible. Not only does this make your dressing table more aesthetically pleasing, but its function runs more smoothly. If it’s sentimental but you don’t wear it, store it in an airtight container in a less-used location.
“Some jewelry tarnishes faster when left out due to exposure to air, moisture, and everyday products. A ring bowl or jewelry stand is great for pieces you wear and clean regularly, but less-used items should always be stored away.”
The golden rules of jewelry storage
Everything starts with our jewelry storage tips. These six rules are non-negotiable:
How to store different precious metals
If you’ve come across our metals guide, you’ll know that every precious metal has its own unique qualities and characteristics. It’s important to bear these in mind when you’re shopping around for jewelry storage solutions. Whether you’re looking to store silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing or seeking the best way to store platinum jewelry to protect it from scratches, here’s our in-depth guide.
How to store yellow gold
Like all of the gold used to make fine jewelry, yellow gold is mixed with other metals to make it harder and more durable. So while yellow gold is typically resistant to tarnishing and prone to scratching, the purity of the gold is important. Higher-karat alloys such as 18K gold are unlikely to tarnish but as the metal is softer, they might scratch more easily. For lower-karat alloys such as 9K yellow gold, the opposite applies.
How to store gold jewelry in its natural shade of yellow? As with all fine jewelry, the key is to store each piece in its own soft pouch or separate compartment to avoid contact with harder metals or diamonds. As for the ideal environment, store your yellow gold pieces in a dry place at room temperature to prevent them being damaged by humidity.
How to store white gold jewelry
White gold owes its bright white color and shiny finish to rhodium plating, which can wear away over time to reveal slightly yellower gold underneath. How, then, can you store white gold jewelry to maintain its appearance for longer?
Get into the habit of storing your white gold pieces individually, keeping them away from other pieces that can cause abrasion. Resist the temptation to stack your rings together in storage; again, they can rub up against each other and cause the rhodium plating to wear off. Do remember, however, that while proper storage will help maintain the rhodium plating for longer, you’ll still need to take your white gold jewelry in for professional re-plating every few years or so.
How to store rose gold jewelry
Ever wondered what gives rose gold its signature pinkish color? It’s all down to the copper in the alloy – a metal that makes rose gold durable enough for everyday wear in jewelry while creating that beautiful blush tone. The end result is still prone to scratches, however. So just like your other jewelry, rose gold pieces should be stored individually to avoid coming into contact with harder metals and gemstones that might damage them.
Environmental conditions are important when you’re considering storage solutions. Keep your rose gold jewelry in a cool, dry, place away from moisture and humidity to help prevent the surface from dulling. The copper in rose gold can react with sunlight, so it’s important to avoid direct exposure to sunlight, too.
How to store silver jewelry
Of all the precious metals, silver is the one that’s most prone to tarnishing. Silver reacts with small amounts of sulfur compounds in the air to form silver sulfide – the thin black or gray coating that we see as tarnish. Moisture in the air accelerates this process.
How to prevent tarnishing? First, it’s particularly important to avoid humid environments when storing your silver pieces. Then take care to tidy them away in airtight containers or zip pouches to avoid long-term exposure to the air.
How to store platinum jewelry
Platinum is famously the most dense and durable of all the precious metals, but that doesn’t give you license to treat it badly. In fact, platinum jewelry should be stored as carefully as any other piece in your collection. That’s because platinum can develop a patina over time – a worn, dull look resulting from the tiny bumps and scratches of daily life. And because it’s so hard, it can also scratch softer metals when they come into contact with each other.
Each piece of platinum jewelry should be stored separately to prevent damaging – or being damaged by – another metal. If you’re storing an engagement ring, we recommend using a structured ring box or ring holder that holds it snugly in its own slot. This will help protect your ring from any knocks and scratches that could dull its shine.
Store jewelry with diamonds & gemstones
Diamond is the hardest natural material, which makes it a great choice for jewelry that you wear every day. However, it does mean that diamonds can scratch everything they come into contact with, including other diamonds. So when you’re considering jewelry storage boxes, make sure that you choose a box with separate compartments so that you can store your diamond pieces individually.
Leaving your jewelry on the windowsill is never a good idea from a security point of view, but some colored gemstones are also at risk of fading if they’re exposed to sunlight for too long. While aquamarine, amethyst and topaz are particularly sensitive, we recommend keeping all your gemstone jewelry away from direct sunlight. Remember too that gemstones can scratch softer stones and metals, and that they can be scratched in turn. So resist the temptation to stack your diamond and gemstone rings together; store each one separately instead. You can find out more about colored gemstones in our gemstones guide.
Jewelry storage solutions for your collection
Serious about looking after your collection? We’ve pulled together our top jewelry storage ideas to get you organized.
“I believe in quality over quantity,” adds Shannon. “If you don’t love it or use it, consider letting it go. Keeping only the items that make you feel good will help make a dressing table feel intentional and stress-free. Solutions such as drawer dividers and boxes inside drawers are perfect for separating accessories, jewelry or makeup, but make sure you actively use these items.”
When to clean, inspect and professionally maintain
Whether it’s a mirror with jewelry storage or a leather jewelry case, jewelry care doesn’t stop when you find the perfect storage solution. It’s important to keep an eye on your favorite pieces and clean them regularly too.
It goes without saying that you should clean your jewelry and let it dry thoroughly before long-term storage to protect it from oil, dirt and moisture. If you have a piece that you wear every day – your engagement ring, for example – check the settings every time you give it a clean to ensure that any diamonds or gemstones are still held securely. Finally, bring your jewelry in for an annual professional inspection, and take your white gold pieces in for rhodium re-plating every few years.
A final thought
Mastered the art of jewelry storage? Add to your collection at Austen & Blake. From everyday rings to statement diamond earrings, you’ll find a wide range of contemporary jewelry for every style and occasion, and every piece is made to order so that it’s truly individual. Explore our collections of diamond jewelry and find something special that you’ll love showing off when it’s not tucked away safely in its box.