The Best Jewelry Storage Ideas for Different Jewelry Materials
Storing organized jewelry just got demystified.
If you’re a collector of acrylic links, precious pearls, or sets of silver, you’re going to need a place to store them all properly. This guide will cover jewelry storage ideas that pertain to what material your jewelry is made of. Everyone wants their organized jewelry to last a lifetime, and it can – keep reading for tips on how to store jewelry for a lifetime of accessorizing.
Jewelry Storage Ideas for Different Jewelry Materials
1. Protect Your Precious Metals
Metal is the most common material for jewelry. It’s used for everything from watches to rings to necklaces and more. Storing organized jewelry made of metal can be tricky, as there are several different types of metal used in jewelry.
Gold: Gold is a soft metal that can be easily bent, which means it should be stored in something that has a hard exterior. Pure gold also scratches very easily, so this kind of jewelry should be stored alongside soft materials that won't scuff it. Jewelry boxes provide both a hard shell and a soft interior. They are perfect storage ideas for storing organized jewelry that is made of gold.
Silver: Pure silver is easy to bend and will need to be stored in something that will protect it. If your jewelry is not pure (or 100% silver), it will rust. It will need to be kept away from liquids in order to keep it in good condition. Consider something that will protect pure and impure silver alike, like a jewelry box. This will keep your organized jewelry covered and prevent rust from any spills or humidity in the air.
Copper: Copper jewelry that hasn’t been painted over has a beautiful reddish color. Copper is considered one of the less luxurious metals than gold and silver, as it is more affordable, but it is just as stunning as the other two metals. Copper is another soft metal that bends easily and reacts poorly to moisture. The natural moisture from your hands is enough for copper to stain some peoples’ fingers green. Copper jewelry storage ideas involve storage that is protective yet able to show off such a stunning color. Try a jewelry organizer with a fabric inside and clear finish to get the best of both worlds!
Platinum: Platinum jewelry is one of the most popular metals for jewelry making. Its durability and inability to tarnish easily places it at the top of most people’s lists for long-lasting jewelry such as wedding rings. Platinum is an easy favorite because it combines the beauty of silver with the durability of a hard metal; the fact that it will never rust is the icing on the cake. Store your platinum jewelry where you can admire its beauty – try a ring holder or jewelry tree that allows your items to be displayed beautifully.
Nickel: Nickel is a hard metal which is perfect for those who may be a little less careful when wearing jewelry. Nickel jewelry being durable means that it can be stored with other jewelry without worry that it might get bent by other items. Nickel is rust-resistant but not rust-proof, and unfortunately, nickel can be scratched, so it’s best to keep it in storage that is lined with fabric. Jewelry storage ideas for nickel should include a fabric inside but once you’ve found that, the rest is completely up to you!
Plastic, a newer human-made material, is durable and can be made inexpensively. Its ability to be made into endless colors and shapes makes it a perfect option for jewelry making.
Styrene: Styrene is the most basic form of plastic. All other forms of plastic derive from styrene. It is the easiest to make, very durable, and the most affordable to produce. Thus, it's perfect for traveling! Styrene jewelry has a foggy look, almost like a frosted window. While it has a lot of pros, it has its cons too. It is prone to scratches. Jewelry storage ideas for styrene should include storing it in a soft, fabric organizer, separate from anything that could scratch it.
Acrylic: Acrylic is a very popular plastic in jewelry currently. It is derived from styrene but is less flexible. It is often thought of as a plastic glass because of its completely clear appearance. Acrylic can also scratch easily, so be sure to store your acrylic jewelry in fabric compartments where it won’t rub against any other items.
Glass is a great material for jewelry. It can be made into various colors and complicated shapes, and it is very durable. Glass has a beautiful natural shine that makes for the perfect pendant or brooch; however, the surface of glass isn’t scratchproof. When storing glass jewelry, be sure that it won't rub against other items. Use a jewelry stand to hang your ornate organized jewelry like art.
Because of the age and materials of antique jewelry, it is of the utmost importance to care for it in order to ensure it lasts. Vintage jewelry should be kept in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. It should also be stored in separate compartments and should be surrounded by soft fabric. Steer away from storage that allows light to get through to the jewelry. Jewelry storage ideas for vintage items should protect, separate, and shade.
Necklaces: Dangling jewelry should be stored in a place where it can hang. This will prevent the necklaces from tangling with one another. Wall-mounted storage is perfect, as gravity helps to keep them organized vertically.
Watches/Cuff Links: What better way to store watches than in a watch box? Watch boxes are designed to store watches perfectly. They offer foam inserts to keep your fabric-band watch from being folded, a fabric inside to prevent scuffs, and (usually) a clear top so that you can see your collection from the outside. Cuff links also come with their own personal storage. Most cuff-link boxes have fabric-covered compartments to prevent scratches and a sturdy exterior to protect cuff links from the outside.
Bracelets: If you think of bracelets as miniature necklaces, it’s easy to think of a few good jewelry storage ideas. Bracelets will last a lifetime if they are hung in a place that won’t allow them to be scratched. Jewelry stands and wall-mounted jewelry organizers were made for bracelets.
Rings: Rings can be tricky to store because of how small they are. Luckily, ring rolls exist. Ring rolls are semicircular rolls that are placed up against one another. The tight space between the fabric covered rolls is perfect for protecting, storing, and displaying your rings.
Earrings: Depending on what type of earrings you have, there are multiple different ways of storing them. If you have a lot of post earrings, the best storage for them would be to place them on an earring board. This way, they can retain their shape while keeping the earring backs attached. If you have fish hook earrings, try storing them on a stand like a jewelry tree so that they can hang freely without interfering with other jewelry.
