written by: Zanne Lamb-Hunt
Knowing how to properly store vintage costume jewelry is the primary key to maintaining the value of your vintage pieces.
Nobody wants to paw through a tangled mess in search of the perfect vintage brooch, necklace or earrings to wear with an outfit. Unfortunately, too many of us have had to do exactly that because of careless jewelry storage. What qualifies as ‘careless’?
Careless jewelry storage is when pieces are tossed into a box without any regard for how or where they land. They might settle on top of or between other pieces. One earring might end up on one side of the box while the matching earring nearly disappears under a random pile of jewelry on the other side. It often ends with a delicate chain coiling all over the contents like a frantic ribbon snake.
Properly Store Your Vintage Jewelry To Prevent Damage
There are rules for storing jewelry. They have nothing to do with dictating neatness and/or a personal sense of organization. They have everything to do with preventing damage that can lessen the value of the vintage jewelry or keep it from being completely ruined and turned into worthless, unwearable junk.
Retro art deco pieces, enameled jewelry, vintage glass and plastic beads and metal surfaces can be easily scratched by contact with other pieces. Imagine the edges of the pins, backings, clasps and gemstones physically assaulting each other as they’re pushed around a box or drawer. Some people (surely not you!) shake the box in an attempt to uncover whatever pieces they’re looking for. The result is the same – tangles, scrapes and scratches, and sometimes worse.
closeup of shiny vintage jewelry
Sometimes the force is enough to cause cracks and chips, rendering the vintage jewelry practically worthless. This is especially true when jewelry is tossed into the fray instead of gently placing it down. Yes, some pieces can be repaired. But, if you don’t know how to DIY, it can cost more for repairs than the vintage pieces are worth. It costs nothing at all to learn how to store vintage (or any!) jewelry the right way.
The Basics Of Storing Vintage Jewelry
* Store Each Piece Separately – Contrary to what many believe, each jewelry box compartment should hold only one jewelry item unless each piece has enough room to avoid touching other pieces. Even if it’s a matching pair of earrings, keep the earrings from touching, if they are sharing one compartment. If several rings can fit into one partitioned area, maintain some space between each ring.
* Keep Your Vintage Jewelry Moisture-Free – Damp, moist air can cause delicate stringing to disintegrate, stone settings to deteriorate and verdigris to form. If the lid of your jewelry case doesn’t form a tight closure to protect the contents from the air, invest in one that does. It’s cheaper than losing your entire vintage costume jewelry collection.
* Vintage Jewelry With Links Should Be Stored Flat – The links on vintage jewelry are typically very small, delicate and ‘mobile’; they tend to bunch up, crimp and tangle. It’s highly recommended to keep it in it’s original box, tangle-free, inside your jewelry box. This also helps to keep it moisture-free.
* Avoid Plastic Bags! – Plastic can discolor gemstones. This is especially true for rhinestones. If you want to keep your pieces separate, wrap each piece in a thin layer of tissue paper or cotton. It’s also okay to place each piece in its own soft cloth (velvet?) pouch.
* Use Jewelry Organizing Tools – Hang necklaces whenever possible to keep them at a safe distance from each other and tangle-free. There are lots of ring holders, earring holders and bracelet holders to choose from, in some very creative and attractive shapes and designs. Only use such organizers in rooms that are safe from high humidity. For example, don’t place them on a vanity that’s located in the bathroom.
* Clean Your Vintage Jewelry – Do this after each use, before putting it away. Yes, seriously! It only takes a minute to wipe it gently with a clean, soft cloth to remove any moisture, skin oils, makeup, dust and air contaminants. This helps to prevent the formation of verdigris and keeps your vintage jewelry looking its best for the next time you choose to wear it.
That’s it, SwankyDames! That’s all it takes to protect the bling that serves your fashion taste so well. Now that you know how to properly store vintage jewelry, it’s a good time to confidently add a few more retro pieces to your Swanky collection!
No Gem Unturned 