Protecting your favorite jewelry requires careful consideration regarding the proper ways to wear it, keeping up with regular care and cleaning, and safe storage. From your engagement ring to a wedding band or a family heirloom necklace, you want to enjoy these priceless pieces for a lifetime—but what’s the best way to do so?
We spoke with Dustin Lemick, a third-generation jeweler and the founder of BriteCo, a specialized jewelry insurance company, for his tips on keeping your collection safe when life happens.
Jewelry protection primarily comes down to four things, said Lemick; namely:
“Protecting your favorite pieces doesn’t have to be complicated, but it requires careful thought and good decisions,” he noted.
For many, this may mean finding a new way to store their jewelry collection, practicing safe cleaning methods rather than relying on internet “hacks,” and being smart about where and how they wear their jewelry when engaging in activities that might be deemed risky. This list includes swimming (something you should never do while wearing jewelry, said Lemick), hiking, working out, or cleaning.
When it comes to the best ways to store jewelry, the safest, most secure option is always a jewelry safe. Yet while a hidden safe may be necessary for high-value items, it isn’t always convenient to have easy access to everyday jewelry.
Other storage solutions might include:
From these options, Lemick said he prefers a jewelry box with multiple compartments that will allow you to keep pieces organized and separate, out of direct sunlight, and in a dust-free environment.
“You should always store different types of gemstones and precious metals separately to prevent scratches,” he said. “Ideally, a jewelry box would also provide proper storage for larger pieces that need to hang, such as long necklaces, and to hold earrings that may be bulkier, like dangly earrings.”
For non-valuable costume jewelry, jewelry holders like a tray or boxes may be suitable.
If you spring for a safe, ensure it’s a fireproof safe that can be bolted down. Consider placing it in an out-of-the-way spot, like a closet in a room other than the master bedroom, since that’s one of the first places burglars check for valuables.
To protect jewelry on a daily basis, you should focus on removing delicate pieces when engaging in activities that could put them at risk.
“For any activities where you’ll be using your hands a lot or exposing them to anything other than water—think gardening, cleaning the house, lifting weights at the gym—you should remove rings, watches, pendants, and bracelets. Put them in a safe storage space until you’re finished,” said Lemick.
He also advised that when getting ready in the morning, you should always put on jewelry last, after you’ve applied cosmetics, lotions, hair accessories, etc., and refrain from wearing jewelry in the shower. While plain water isn’t a threat, the other products you use are.
When traveling, you’ll want to store jewelry in a travel-specific jewelry case while in transit and in your hotel room’s safe when you reach your destination. Many great travel jewelry cases offer an easy way to keep all your valuable items secure in one spot. However, Lemick cautioned that traveling with jewelry still comes with some risks and has offered some best practices.
“Keep your fine jewelry on you in your carry-on, rather than in your checked bag, and don’t let it out of your sight while in the airport,” he advised. “Then, during your stay, make a mental note to take any stored jewelry from the hotel safe before your departure. While jewelry insurance policies like those offered by BriteCo cover lost or stolen jewelry while traveling internationally, you don’t want to lose anything simply by forgetting it in the hotel safe!”
In addition to keeping your jewelry clean by removing it during activities, you’ll also want to schedule professional cleanings from a jeweler on a regular basis. As well, plan to lightly clean it at home every month or so.
The best way to keep your jewelry clean will depend on the type of jewelry you own. For example, gold, sterling silver, and pearls all have different cleaning considerations. In general, most jewelry can be delicately cleaned using mild soap, warm water, a soft-bristle toothbrush, and a dry jewelry cloth.
“Avoid cleaning jewelry with harsh chemicals or at-home ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, as these can damage your pieces and are best left to professionals,” said Lemick.
Even with all the care and precautions in the world, your jewelry can still be stolen, lost, or damaged. But if you invest in jewelry insurance, you can quickly repair or replace your jewelry when the worst happens.
“A specialty jewelry insurance policy like BriteCo offers can cover the cost of any needed repairs, such as replacing a lost stone or a full replacement. This goes above and beyond standard home insurance, which rarely, if ever, covers jewelry damage.”
See why PriceScope experts recommend BriteCo for all your specialty jewelry insurance needs and get a free quote from BriteCo today.
You’ll want to store jewelry in a fireproof safe, either bolted into the ground or too heavy to be moved by a burglar. Also, store it in a place that’s not automatically one of the first places burglars look for valuables, such as in the master bedroom.
Absolutely! But be sure to take it off when engaging in activities that could damage it or risk losing it, such as cleaning, showering, sleeping, working out, or outdoor activities.
The best jewelry box will offer storage spaces of various sizes, where you can store items separately. It should also have room for hanging necklaces and storing earrings. While you may want the design to match your home décor and save space on your vanity or dresser, jewelry safety should always be the top priority when picking the best jewelry box.
While some jewelry owners might be tempted to keep their day-to-day pieces on top of their vanity or dresser and toss any remaining pieces in a drawer, this is not ideal for a few reasons. Precious metals and gemstones can clack against one another, leading to scratches and dings, and necklaces and bracelets are likely to become tangled. Additionally, when your jewelry isn’t organized, it’s easier not to notice a lost, stolen, or otherwise missing piece.
Jewelry insurance will protect your jewelry from damage, theft, loss, or mysterious disappearance. So, if a gemstone falls out of your engagement ring, getting that gemstone replaced is covered. If your jewelry is stolen while traveling, you can replace it at no cost. If you simply lose a piece of jewelry and have no idea where it is, your policy will allow you to replace it.
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