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by Jesús Zabala - 5 min read

Best Way to Store Jewelry to Prevent Tarnish

For centuries, jewelry has held immense cultural, sentimental, and personal value after serving as a cherished item passed down to generations. Beyond its aesthetic beauty, these accessories can reflect personal significance and self-expression for the wearer, symbolizing their individuality and uniqueness. So, what is the best way to store jewelry to prevent tarnish?

The importance of properly storing jewelry cannot be neglected, especially when wondering how to store jewelry to prevent tarnish. But how to store gold jewelry at home and how to store silver plated jewelry?

In this article, you’ll discover how to store silver jewelry and the best practices for preventing tarnish of your precious belongings. Below, you’ll find a quick guide on jewelry care tips and how to preserve their aesthetic and authenticity.

Best Way to Store Jewelry to Prevent Tarnish
Source: Shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: bews

Best Way to Store Jewelry to Prevent Tarnish

In a world of mass-produced jewelry, JewelryLab transcends the material value of metals into sentimental pieces through which our customers can express their personal style and individuality. Unlike other possessions, jewelry can have great significance and meaning to the wearer, making it a valuable piece that can be kept for generations.

However, over time, the surface and appearance of various metals used in jewelry, such as brass, sterling silver, and gold, may alter due to tarnish. This is a common issue caused by contact with body oils, makeup, sulfur, perfumes, deodorants, lotions, and other external substances, forming a thin layer on the surface. This layer, often seen as a slightly dull to totally black form, comprises the aesthetic appeal of the jewelry.

To prevent this issue, proper care and storage of your jewelry can minimize the impact of tarnish and preserve the longevity and shine of your precious pieces. From individual storage to anti-tarnish strips, finding the right method ensures that each piece of your jewelry collection remains as refined as the day it was purchased.

So, here are some of the most common storage options and guidelines to help prevent the effects of tarnish:

Individual storage

When various metals and pieces of jewelry are stored in the same box, they might undergo a chemical reaction to the air and moisture. It may ultimately lead to a tarnish. This is especially true when it comes to silver or brass. 

In order to prevent this outcome, individual storage is a crucial step to preserving the beauty and longevity of your precious pieces and minimizing the effects of tarnish. You’ll create a barrier that helps protect each piece from environmental factors that contribute to tarnish.

Additionally, precious stones or delicate pieces may be prone to scratches and tangling. So, separating your jewelry will also help prevent diminishing their overall appearance. We encourage our customers to adopt this practice to ensure both the longevity and aesthetic of each piece, as well as easy access and organization.

Individual storage
Source: Shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Adrienn Molnar

Anti-tarnish strips

They are thin paper strips used to prevent signs of tarnish in various jewelry metals, particularly silver. These strips use copper-based polymers that react to hydrogen sulfide, causing gasses to absorb sulfides and other pollutants in the air. Plus, anti-tarnish strips neutralize these gasses before they cause tarnish to your precious pieces.

The most significant benefit of anti-tarnish strips is their ease of use. Users simply place the objects into the storage areas alongside their metal items, and the strips will do their magic. Keep in mind that the more airtight the area is, the longer the strips will last, protecting your jewelry.

Additionally, these stips are often cost-effective, making them a convenient option for safeguarding your precious metal possessions.

Silica gel packs

Silica gel packs are other absorbent and drying agents that are designed to remove moisture from enclosed storage spaces. These small packets are made from silicon dioxide with tiny particles that can absorb large amounts of water. 

This makes them a perfect option to keep your jewelry fresh and sparky as silica gel packs efficiently absorb excess humidity in the storage area. This helps prevent tarnish, mold, or corrosion on metal components.

These items act as a proactive solution to maintain moisture levels, ensuring your precious pieces' longevity and aesthetic appeal. So, you simply need to place them in your storage unit to protect your items from moisture damage. 

Regularly replacing them will enhance their effectiveness even further. It makes them a cost-effective solution for preserving the quality and beauty of your jewelry collection.

Jewelry boxes

Properly storing your jewelry in boxes with soft lining offers you and your collection many benefits. These boxes serve as a practical and effective solution for preserving the beauty of your jewelry as well as organizing and protecting your precious items.

Therefore, here are some of the main reasons why investing in jewelry boxes is a thoughtful way to safeguard your cherished accessories:

Keeping your jewelry looking good

Jewelry boxes can significantly contribute to preserving the aesthetic and authentic appeal of each piece of jewelry. This is because storing your jewelry in airtight boxes will prevent tarnishing, as the pieces won't be exposed to air, perfumes, or hairspray, which you often have on your vanity.

Many high-quality jewelry boxes may also include materials that have tarnishing. This includes anti-tarnishing lining or special coatings that absorb moisture, thus preventing unwanted reactions. These features create a suitable and controlled environment for your jewelry, protecting it from contributors to tarnish.

Organizing your jewelry

Jewelry boxes add an elegant and sophisticated touch to your collection. They provide designed compartments for each piece of jewelry, which ultimately helps users stay organized and clean. The organization not only saves time when wondering where your favorite pair of earrings are but also ensures the longevity and durability of items by minimizing wear and tear.

Preventing tangling and scratching

Since jewelry boxes serve as an excellent solution for organizing your jewelry, they contribute to the prevention of scratched and tangled accessories. The individual storage units and components within the boxes allow a separate space for each of your precious belongings. So, you will no longer have to deal with the annoying tangled mess necklaces can create.

Additionally, the individual spaces ensure that your delicate pieces don’t come into contact with other items, which may cause scratches. You will protect and keep your precious possessions pristine and aesthetic by providing a suitable and systematic storage solution, such as a jewelry box.

Preventing tangling and scratching
Source: Shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: KK_face

Conclusion

Proper jewelry storage is vital in preserving your precious collection’s beauty and preventing tarnish. As there are several solutions for this issue, it’s up to you to find the best method that works for you.

While individual storage ensures that each piece is protected from contact with other items and chemicals, suitable jewelry boxes further enhance the protection of your precious items. Also, using drying and moisture-absorbent agents like anti-tarnish strips and silica gel packs can create an environment less conducive to tarnish formation.

Now that you know the best way to store jewelry to prevent tarnish, you can ensure your jewelry’s longevity and aesthetic. We hope this article has provided you with insightful information on how to maintain your jewelry in top-notch condition.

Jesús  is the founder and designer of JewelryLab. He is the Head of Design and also oversees production, quality control, and precious metal sourcing.

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