About Decorative Boxes for Jewelry

Decorative jewelry boxes can say a lot about the contents within and are a great gift for that person who has everything. Protecting your jewelry is important and making a utilitarian device like a container for jewelry a unique expression means going beyond pure function into décor. Whether you have one ring or a bevy of bracelets and necklaces, a decorative jewelry box is a great way to get organized.

History

Whether for presentation or protection, jewelry boxes have been a match of form and function in all cultures and ages. Ornate on the outside to hint at the treasure within, jewelry boxes have been used by royal families to hold crown jewels and children to hold their plastic beads. The materials, style and decorative techniques point to a jewelry box's age and origin, and today's boxes can be just as ornate as their predecessors.

Function

The main purpose of a decorative jewelry box is to hold jewelry for protection from dirt and dust as well as to look good on a dresser or bureau. Decorative jewelry boxes also provide an attractive presentation for a jewelry gift.

Types

There are several different types of decorative jewelry boxes, including antique or vintage boxes, expensive and luxury boxes and jewelry boxes fashioned from more common materials. Antique or vintage jewelry boxes come in many different types of material, including bronze, brass or silver. Many boxes available to treasure hunters feature a cloisonne top, which is a baked and applied porcelain treatment. They are usually lined in velvet and have a hinged top. They are often small and meant to hold just one ring or a necklace. Jewelry boxes can be made of very expensive materials including gold, platinum and can be covered in jewels, such as the royal family's presentation jewelry boxes. Sometimes more valuable than the contents within, a jewelry box can be a work of art in and of itself. For more everyday use, jewelry boxes are made of desirable woods and are lined with separated spaces for a variety of jewelry. Decorative jewelry boxes can also be larger than a simple box or drawer and can be a chest or cabinet for one's jewelry.

Features

Most decorative jewelry boxes have several features, including an embellished top or lid, plush interior and styled feet.
The top or lid of the box can either be a flat surface or a carved or cast three-dimensional surface. Often combining a number of elements, the lid may be both carved and painted to add to the embellishment. The type of decoration often points to the era the box was created. Lids are usually hinged, but some more modern types may have a cap or slide-off style. The interior of the jewelry box is usually padded and covered in velvet. If the box is large, it may have a divided space upholstered into the box to help keep jewelry from becoming entangled or damaged. The bottom of the jewelry box also adds to its decorative nature and is usually footed or otherwise raised. Many vintage boxes have cast feet or the ball-and-claw-style feet, while more modern boxes may have a simple square foot to lift it off the surface of your dresser.

Benefits

Decorative jewelry boxes help to keep your valuable jewelry clean and undamaged. By protecting your rings and necklaces from air pollution or being dropped or knocked against other jewels, you are maintaining the value of your investment.
Decorative jewelry boxes are also a great way to present a jewelry gift to someone. Placing a pair of earrings or ring into a decorative box makes the gift just that much more special and tells the recipient that you put a little more thought into the gift.

Resources

• Jewelryboxes.net