Whether you’re decluttering your home or just want a safe space to keep your jewelry, a storage unit can be a reliable solution. It’s important to pack these often delicate pieces carefully so that they remain in the same condition when you return for them. Here are a few tips to protect these valuable pieces.

How to Pack Jewelry for Storage

1. Secure Easily Tangled Items

Necklaces and bracelets can easily become entangled with one another while in transit. Nestling them in their respective boxes is typically not enough to keep knots from developing.

Prevent them by securing each chain through a drinking straw, then wrapping the entire piece in tissue paper. If you prefer to store the jewelry in a box, make sure that anything at risk of tangling is secure in its own space.

2. Use Only Clean Packaging

Whether you use dedicated jewelry boxes or gift boxes, the container should be completely clean and free of odors. The longer that an item sits in a storage unit, the more likely it is to pick up smells from its environment. In a compact box, that likelihood is even greater. Always use clean, fresh boxes for storing jewelry.

3. Be Mindful of Gemstones

If you’re storing fine jewelry, you need to take extra precautions to preserve its integrity. Opulent gemstones on rings and earrings, for example, may scratch if they’re too close to one another.

Place these pieces in a secure storage case designed specifically to hold gemstone jewelry. Many have foam inserts to prevent small pieces from rolling away and making contact with others.

4. Check Its Condition First

The better condition that your jewelry is in before you put it in a storage unit, the better it will look when you retrieve it. Clean each piece before storing it to prevent issues like tarnishing. Putting a tarnished piece with a clean piece can affect the jewelry that’s in better condition.

5. Consider Different Metal Types

Determine which container to place the jewelry based on the type of metal. For example, silver jewelry, which is susceptible to tarnishing, stores best on felt, which absorbs moisture that could otherwise cause damage. In general, storage spots should be light and airy instead of weighed down, which could affect the integrity of the pieces over long-term periods.

Are you seeking a reliable space to keep your jewelry? Visit Arctic Storage at Midtown, with three locations in Anchorage, AK. The facility offers storage units for clients throughout Downtown, Midtown, Northeastern, and Northern Anchorage. You can choose from a variety of sizes, ranging from convenient cubbies for small pieces to large spaces that can accommodate cars and boats. To browse these options or to learn more about their affordable self-storage options, visit their website, or call (907) 563-3342 to speak with a representative.