Jewelry Boxes: Protecting Your Precious Stones

Strength in Numbers

Amber, coral, and pearls are fragile; to protect their luster, these gems should be cleaned using only a damp cloth. Turquoise and opals are slightly stronger stones that should be cleaned using a mild soap and water solution. To avoid moisture loss, store opals in porous containers away from heat and sun. Emeralds are stronger stones; wipe them off using room temperature water to preserve oils and resins used in their finishing process. Clean sapphires and rubies (hard stones) and tanzanite and peridot (medium hardness) in warm water and pure, mild dish soap. Diamonds, the hardest stones, can be soaked in a 1:2 ammonia/water solution. Proper storage of all stones is highly recommended.

Protecting Your Investment

A jewelry box protects semi-precious and precious stones from scratches; prices average from $10-$500, based on materials, craftsmanship, features, and size. Jewelry boxes with individual compartments allow for stones to be stored without touching each other. Although jewelry boxes are most often selected for style and design, safety should be of equal consideration. If there are children in the house, a locking jewelry box provides additional security. When protecting precious stone jewelry, other considerations are travel jewelry cases or trinket and travel boxes that keep jewelry safe and clean when away from home.

Sentimental Treasure Chests

Clean jewelry before storing. Secure valuable metals and stones in small lined boxes or large, sectioned and lined jewelry chests and armoires that are available in traditional, contemporary, and vintage styles. For centuries, women have coveted these boxes of riches, and daughters have stolen forbidden peaks at jewelry they dreamed of someday wearing. A worthy jewelry box is an investment that lasts beyond one lifetime.

A woman's jewelry box stores a plethora of memories, from class rings and lavalieres to promise rings, and eternity and journey designs. Stored among grandma's heirloom broach and mother's wedding ring, one might find a lock of hair or baby's first tooth. Jewelry boxes are ageless. From boxes that play tinkling tunes for twirling ballerinas, to grand treasure chests, jewelry boxes store valuables and secure memories that can never be replaced.