No matter how long you’ve had your accessories or how valuable they are, we understand that they’re special to you and you want to treat them with care. As well as learning how to clean your jewellery at home, to keep them in top condition you also need to know how to store them well. The good news is that with a spacious jewellery box and a little know-how, you should be able to store your accessories properly so that you can enjoy them for years to come.
To help you keep your jewellery safe and sparkling, we’ve put together some advice on how to organise your jewellery box, from finding the perfect storage solutions to keeping it clean.
Choosing the right jewellery box
When it comes to choosing the right box, picking one spacious enough for your accessories is vital. Storing jewellery too close together in a small box can lead to scratches and cause chains to tangle. And remember, you need plenty of room to not just organise the jewellery you already have, but to make space for future accessories as well. It’s always a good idea to opt for a larger jewellery box than you think you might need, or maybe even invest in multiple.
You’ll also want to think about how to keep your jewellery safe inside the box. Precious gems and metals can become scratched if stored in a container made of hard material. Fortunately, many boxes are lined with some sort of fabric, so this usually isn’t an issue. But if yours isn’t, or you are just using a regular storage box rather than one designed for jewellery, it’s best to invest in one with this lining for the safety of your accessories.
Another factor to consider is which type of jewellery box suits your accessories collection best. For example, if you have a large selection of rings but only a couple of bracelets, you should choose a box with plenty of ring storage. And, if you have a particularly large collection of one type of accessory, you may want to store it in a separate jewellery box from the rest of your pieces.
How to store your different accessories
Accessories come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so when it comes to storing them there are different ways to do so. Here are some of the best ways to store each type of accessory in your jewellery box.
How to store necklaces and bracelets
When it comes to both necklaces and bracelets, the most important thing to prevent is the chains from becoming tangled. There are a couple of different ways you can avoid this. If you have a large jewellery box with layers, you can have a necklace storage layer which allows you to lay your necklaces and bracelets out flat, with dividers between each one so they don’t become tangled. To prevent them from gathering dust, you can also wrap each one in tissue paper.
If you have a wall-mounted jewellery box with hooks, you can also use these hooks to store your necklaces and bracelets on. Make sure that you stick to one necklace per-hook to prevent the chains from tangling. If you have multiple necklaces or bracelets that you wear often, you may prefer to store them on a jewellery tree instead of in a box. This makes them even easier to access for everyday wear and they’re less likely to become tangled too.
How to store earrings
When it comes to earrings, storing them in a jewellery box is relatively easy as you don’t have to worry about them becoming tangled like necklaces and bracelets. However, the best way to store earrings largely depends on the style. Many jewellery boxes come with multiple rows made of felt, which stud earrings can be stored snugly in between. This keeps them secure, preventing them from being jostled around and becoming scratched. And for dangly earrings, it’s best to hang these on hooks in a standing jewellery organiser.
For particularly delicate earrings which are likely to scratch easily, you may want to store them separately and keep them in their original. If this isn’t possible, keep them wrapped in tissue paper to prevent damage.
How to store rings
Rings are often the easiest accessory to store, as they simply need to be kept in ring slots, just like earring studs. When storing them, make sure you keep plenty of distance between each one, and just like with earrings, particularly delicate options should be stored in their original box.
Diamonds are extremely durable, but they can be scratched by another diamond, so it’s vital you don’t store diamond jewellery where they can bump into each other – you can always use tissue paper. Some gemstones such as opal and moonstone are easily scratched and should be stored with great care too.
Keeping your jewellery box clean
In order to keep your jewellery in top condition, you don’t just have to keep the pieces themselves clean, but you should clean the jewellery box you’re storing it in too. Dust, dirt, and moisture can dull the sparkle of our favourite accessories, so it’s a good idea to give your jewellery box a clean at least a couple of times a year. Before you start the cleaning process, make sure to remove all of your accessories from the box and keep them somewhere safe and out of reach from children and pets.
Cleaning methods for the exterior will depend on the type of material the box is made of. If you have a leather or faux leather box, you can use mild, alcohol-free wet wipes to wipe the box over and use a microfibre cloth to help it dry. For wooden boxes, use a dry cloth to remove any dust first and then create a solution for cleaning the wood. All you need for this is half a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of warm water, and a tablespoon of mild dish soap. Then lightly dampen a sponge with the mixture, apply it, and use a new microfibre cloth to dry the box.
The majority of jewellery boxes are lined with fabric, which is relatively easy to clean. All you need for removing dust is a lint roller to sweep across the material. For those difficult-to-reach areas, you can also use Sellotape to pick up the dust. If there are any stains, you can use a toothbrush dampened with warm, soapy water to remove them. Then, simply use a dry cloth to dab the damp fabric and give it plenty of time to dry.
Caring for your jewellery will help your favourite accessories last for years to come, so don’t forget to store them well and keep your jewellery box clean. If you’re looking for new additions to your jewellery box, we have an excellent selection of accessories for you to choose from at HandT - Shop Online. Browse our range of women’s, men’s, and children’s jewellery today.
