Check out our expert tips to store your fine jewelry and watches to keep it in pristine condition.

Jewelry Storage

1. Clean your jewelry every night.
A quick-and-easy way to keep your jewelry sparkling is to wipe it down with a polishing cloth after a day of wear. Body oils, sweat, lotion and hand soap accumulate on your jewelry throughout the day, sometimes resulting in a dull film over the entire piece. Cleaning your most-worn pieces every night will restore their luster.

2. Store your jewelry in a dry place with a moderate temperature.
Humidity is a catalyst for tarnish and can even damage your jewelry. Therefore, stuffy attics or damp basements are not ideal environments for long-term jewelry storage.

Excessive heat can also harm fine jewelry. Some gemstones (like sapphires and turquoise) will even change color in high temperatures. Do not leave your jewelry near a heater, humidifier, or in direct sunlight.

Similarly, pearls require special care as they are incredibly delicate and incredibly susceptible to scratches, discoloring, and dehydration which ultimately cracks the pearl. To learn more about how to care and store pearls specifically, read our post here.

3. Use a fabric-lined jewelry box.
A sturdy jewelry box is a must for safe storage. But skip the porcelain jewelry boxes and trays. You want a jewelry box lined with fabric to cushion your jewelry and prevent scratches. Also, look for a box that includes different compartments so you can separate items individually and keep like-metals together. Which leads us to…

4. Store every item in its own bag.
When different metals (like hard platinum and soft gold) come into contact, they can easily scratch each other. Prevent nicks and tangling by placing every item in a suede or fabric jewelry bag. (Nix plastic baggies for long-term storage though. Plastic bags contain corrosive compounds that will deteriorate your metal jewelry.)

5. Slip an anti-tarnish strip into to your jewelry box.
Slow down the process of oxidation and tarnishing by placing an anti-tarnish strip in your jewelry box. Anti-tarnish strips absorb the harmful sulfides and air pollutants that spur tarnishing meaning you won’t have to break out the silver polish to clean your jewelry as frequently.

6. Lay beaded necklaces flat.
While hanging necklaces may seem like a safe way to avoid them from tangling, it can actually strain your necklace’s string and increases the risk it will break and send beads scattering across the floor. (This is especially important for pearl necklaces which are typically strung on fragile silk string.) Ergo, store any beaded necklace by laying it flat.

Watch Storage

1. Wipe down your watch every night.
Your watch picks up a lot of dirt throughout the day: sweat, lotion or even shedding skin. Clean your watch with a polishing cloth at night to wipe away any build up. If you’re putting your watch into long-term storage, have it thoroughly cleaned to remove any residual grime from the bracelet links and inside the watch that may, over time, corrode your watch.

2. Wind your watches regularly.
Automatic mechanical watches are wound by the movement of your arm throughout the day so it is not necessary to wind it every night, provided you wear said watch every day. But, if you’re pulling your watch out of storage or haven’t worn it in a few days, you will need to wind it manually or with a watch winder. It’s important to habitually wind your watch so the movement runs flawlessly. To learn more about how to wind and set your watch, read our post here.

3. Store your watch in a temperate environment.
Humidity, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures will strain your watch components and can damage the external metal. Therefore, store your watch in a safe place with a moderate temperature.

4. Use the original packaging as your watch’s storage container.
Prevent scratches and keep dust from settling on your watch by storing it in its original box and packaging. Or, if you don’t have the original box, pick up a watch roll or jewelry box to store your watches

5. Have your watch regularly serviced and cleaned.
Even after you take all the proper care and cleaning precautions on your own, you should have your watch professionally cleaned and serviced. The gears need to be lubricated and the metal polished and buff to keep your watch running smoothly. Barring any damage to your watch that will need professional attention, you should have your watch serviced every five years.

Photo Credit: disicouture.com / clos-ettetoo.com/ firemountaingems.com / swisswinder.com/