How to Organize Jewelry

If it were true that all that glitters is gold, your jam-packed jewelry box
might be worth a mint. But even if you don't own the crown jewels,
keep your jewelry tidy--that way you'll always be able to pull out
what you want without searching for the missing earring or untangling
a chain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Scan your jewelry with a critical eye. Eliminate out-of-style, wornout, mismatched, never-worn and broken pieces. See 12 Get Rid of What You Don't Want.

2. Clean and fix any keepers that are tarnished or in disrepair.

3. Clean silver with silver polish or a jewelers cloth. Or rub the piece with toothpaste, using an old toothbrush to get into cracks. Rinse.

4. Clean gold, platinum and diamonds by dropping two Alka-Seltzer tablets in a glass of water and immersing the jewelry for about two minutes. Or soak for several minutes in a bowl of warm water with dishwashing liquid. Rinse and polish with a smooth, lint-free cloth or chamois.

5. Store like items together. Keep specialty items in their original boxes if you like, labeling the box's exterior. Storing silver pieces in felt jewelry pouches prevents tarnishing and keeps items ready to wear. (See 138 Store China and Family Heirlooms.)

6. Choose the best location and storage for your jewelry. A traditional jewelry box on a dresser can adequately accommodate smaller collections. Shallow dresser drawers outfitted with trays and organizers manage larger collections in style.

7. Protect valuable pieces of jewelry and items with great sentimental worth in an at-home safe or in a bank's safe-deposit box. Make sure you properly value and insure these items in case of loss (see 56 End Collection Chaos).

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent kinks from forming in link necklaces, run the chain through a straw and fasten the clasp. Lay it flat in a drawer or tray.
• Create an attractive storage piece for pierced earrings by placing a cut-to-fit window screen or a piece of crossstitch fabric in an easel frame. Secure earrings through the material.
• See 326 Find the Perfect Wedding Ring.
• Keep jewelry away from chlorine and harsh chemicals, which can erode the finish and polish of gems.

[kat1127]

on 5/14/2009 It’s definitely important to keep your jewelry looking great, you never know when you’re going to need it! A great tip I found on the Jewelry Information Center website is to keep your everyday jewelry separate from the fancier stuff. It’s a great way to keep the more valuable stuff protected. Check out www.JIC.org for more great tips on how to keep your jewelry clean and looking great!

[misspiggy82]

on 8/27/2008 I hang my necklaces on a mug tree. I have long necklaces in the top branches and bracelets in the lower 'branches' It is a good way to make sure i can easily see and access all of my necklaces

[opinionated1]

on 4/19/2007 A good way to guarantee never losing just one earring again: when storing hoops, lock them together by placing an open hoop in a closed hoop & secure the clasp. When storing studs or earrings with backs, slide the post of 1 earring into the small hole of the back of the other & secure.

on 3/23/2006 A cute way to hold earrings is to get a fun wine glass or martini glass and hang your earrings on the outside. Usually a rounded glass is better than a slanted one!

on 1/18/2006 Storing your jewelry in ziplock bags is a quick and economical way to keep your jewelry looking great. You can buy very small sizes to store your pieces in and still see what is inside. All jewelry tarnishes, not just sterling. Occasionally wipe your jewelry with a soft jewelers cloth to remove tarnish.