How to Organize and Store Jewelry

How to organize and store jewelry

Got Lots of Bling? Tips on How to Organize and Store Jewelry

 

By Lorraine Brock

I have a weakness for two things: jewelry and shoes. Have you read my post about how to organize your shoes?

I’m not a fanatic, but I do enjoy collecting pieces of jewelry to match my favorite outfits. Recently I was at a department store shopping, and as I was leaving I noticed a little girl with her mother and grandmother. The three were strolling through the store when the little girl stopped in her tracks and pressed her face to the jewelry case. The mother and grandmother continued walking until they realized the little girl had fallen behind.

The little girl stared as if she had never seen such an array of sparkles before. Mesmerized by the neat rows of colorful rings and earrings, she stood there with wide eyes, an open mouth, and both hands pressed against the case.

When the mother turned to retrieve her daughter, she and I caught each other’s glance and before I could say a word the mother said, “She’s apparently all girl” and laughed with joy.

For those of us who were once little girls looking into a beautifully organized glass case, but now have jewelry scattered and tangled in drawers, it is the time to learn how to organize and store all that bling!

Organize Jewelry by Sorting it

Although it may seem daunting, start by pulling out all of your jewelry, untangling the necklaces, matching the earrings, and sorting into keep, sell, donate, or toss. Allow me to share with you some ideas for each of your sorted categories.

Your sell pile may be pieces you know have value but just no longer fit your style. Take time also to look at your trash pile. Broken chains and discolored rings often have value in the metal. Look closely with a magnifying glass to see if it’s real gold or silver. Some pieces will have words engraved on the inside and most (not all) silver will have .925 stamped on it. I have taken what I thought was junk jewelry before to gold and silver exchanges and received $45-$75. I would recommend CentalDiamondCenter.com, as it is a company on Angie’s List, part of the Better Business Bureau, and has three locations in the DFW area.

If you belong to a group, you could have a jewelry exchange table to share your valuable items. You contribute a piece of jewelry to the table and swap it for someone else’s or just leave it all for someone to take. It is a way to get some new items for your collection and share what you have with others.

Either way, hopefully the largest pile left after your sorting is the jewelry you chose to keep.

How to Store Jewelry

There are some decisions to be made about where you want to display or store the items. Pieces you want access to every day should be visible and within easy reach. Valuable items should be stored out of sight or in a safe or safety deposit box. Research how certain items should be wrapped for long term storage such as pearls or sterling silver.

These acrylic boxes are perfect to insert into any drawer to keep your bling organized and visible. Sort by type of jewelry, by color, or in sets of matching rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

How to Store Jewelry - jewelry storage boxes

More Jewelry Storage Solutions

Organize Jewelry - Jewelry storage

If your drawer space is too precious for jewelry, use a towel bar for hanging necklaces and slender bracelets. Purchase a set of stylish shower curtain hooks, hang them on the towel bar, and place your favorite necklaces and bracelets on the hooks. This display can add a stylish look to your bathroom as well.

Another option for organizing jewelry is the use of a pegboard. If you have an open wall (even a small section) in your closet, consider putting up a pegboard cut to fit the space at a hardware store. Add hooks for necklaces and bracelets and larger earrings, and use enclosed containers for smaller pieces like rings, pendants, broaches, and earrings. Look over your collection and choose the pegboard accessories that work best.

 

organize jewelry - store jewelry with c hooksA simple method of hanging necklaces is the use of “C” hooks or what are also called “tea cup” hooks from any hardware store. Screw them into any wall, or the side of a shelf or built in unit in your closet, bathroom, or dressing area. Space the hooks according to the length of your necklaces.

There are also many options for jewelry organizers with pockets that hang on doors or closet rods. They allow you to see each piece and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Plus, an added bonus of using this type of storage product is the ability to securely hide your jewelry among your clothing.

If you are planning to travel, it is best to keep your jewelry in your travel bag or purse instead of your luggage. I personally own a Travel Jewelry Organizer and love it. It keeps my rings and earrings totally secure and organized and some versions open flat or hang on a clothes rod. It fits easily into my carry-on bag when flying, and is small enough to fit into my hotel safe as well.

I wanted to leave you with a thought that came to me while writing this blog. Something that took me back to my childhood and the first time I realized how much I liked these shiny things called jewelry. My mom used to give me toy store packages of jewelry and plastic high heels for my birthdays and Christmas. I cared for my toy jewelry like precious stones, but eventually it all ended up in the bottom of my toy chest. When I dug my toy jewelry out, I found it broken and damaged. As a child, I didn’t place much value on my toys, but now my jewelry is an investment, and investing in the proper storage is essential.

Set aside a day to go through your bling, sort it, then make decisions on where to store it or display it. Once you know what you have, you will get excited about accessorizing each day and maybe even putting on your not so plastic high heels too!

Other Posts by Lorraine Brock You Might Enjoy

Top 10 Organizing Products for 2013

Step Into an Organized Shoe Space

How to Organize and Store Kids School Papers

Lorraine Brock is a professional organizer, family coach, speaker, and founder and owner of Get Organized! Get Organized! is a professional organizing company in the Dallas, Texas area. Get Organized! specializes in organizing and de-cluttering homes as well as implementing systems in the home for better family management. A popular media guest, Lorraine has appeared on Dallas’ two top morning television shows: Good Morning Texas and Good Day Fox, and has been featured on various radio outlets. She has been hallmarked in many local, regional, and national print and online magazines, such as the Dallas Morning News, The North Texas Kids Magazine, SheKnows.com, and Daily Candy Kids. To get more information about Lorraine, visit www.GetOrganized.ws.

 

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6 Comments

  1. LSN

    Hi.. love the idea of acrylic boxes. Can you share where to find these boxes??

    • LSN

      Thanks.. my daughter has lots of inexpensive earrings and there are a big mess. I really hope this helps her 🙂

  2. s forster

    Can’t locate shower rings similar–where did you get?

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