What do you use for gem collection storage/display?

[georgecostanza]

I'm thinking about buying a display box, case, or tray for my gems and wondering if anyone has any good recommendations? I don't really know where to start with this. I have some loose stones in little white foam and glass display boxes for now, but I feel like they deserve something better. I have mostly 1-5 ct stones, but some of them are much larger and might require different solutions. Ultimately, most of my gems will end up in jewelry, but it would be great to have something aesthetically nice to protect them in the meantime.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Shoeboxes in the safe.

 

[georgecostanza]

Shoeboxes in the safe.

It’s kinda nice to pull them out of the safe with a little gravitas like a wine collector pulling wine out of the cellar

 

[Autumn in New England]

It’s kinda nice to pull them out of the safe with a little gravitas like a wine collector pulling wine out of the cellar

In all seriousness, how about something like this, so you can admire everything?

Jewelry - Click and Click

Gems - Click and Click

 

[georgecostanza]

In all seriousness, how about something like this, so you can admire everything?

Jewelry - Click and Click

Gems - Click and Click

The gem one looks soooooo nice. I love that you can remove each gem but also keep them together on a single tray.

Does anyone ever frame gems? I’m from an art background and could see hanging these little things in little hinged shadowboxes around my home. It does seem like making them more visible means making them more likely to be stolen, though?

 

[Autumn in New England]

The gem one looks soooooo nice. I love that you can remove each gem but also keep them together on a single tray.

Does anyone ever frame gems? I’m from an art background and could see hanging these little things in little hinged shadowboxes around my home. It does seem like making them more visible means making them more likely to be stolen, though?

I think that's a really cool idea for less expensive gems and specimens! I have a couple of those large fireproof vaults (Fort Knox) for my other stuff. I think they're technically gun safes. But I can't say it's a very satisfying way of displaying/storing my goodies.

 

[toomuchB]

I have way too much to say about this lol.

Storage is maybe different but I wanted to display my loose stones. Yes, I know the risk factor. I live in a super safe area, so this is not a significant concern for me. I want to see my gems easily without having to take them out etc. Maybe I am crazy. If I had super expensive gems I would maybe be more cautious. I suppose as suggested above, folks could put their expensive stuff in a more secure location and their for-fun display pieces in this method. Anyway.

I tried a bunch of different display boxes/cases. Everyone has different preferences but I found:
-I didn't like having the gems in separate containers. I wanted everything displayed in one box.
-I didn't like that the poor quality foams left permanent indentations.
-I also didn't like scratchy plastic or cheap feeling mystery metal.
-I didn't like that they weren't really 'displayed' but flat, like laying on a surface. I wanted something like a picture frame I could have on my desk. Angled so I can see it.

This led me to buying a model from a company called GemTrue. They are not as cheap as the typical Aliexpress stuff (which works fine for most I'm sure) but the quality is better (I'm sure you could find some $$$ fancy custom made artisan ones).

Why I like it-
-The foam does not leave permanent indents even with my deeper cut gems. After a short time it bounces back. Slightly stubborn indents from sharp culets stay very slightly visible, but when the area is brushed with microfiber cloth, this completely disappears. So, I can rearrange the gems around freely and not worry about indents. I find this fun - I do it more than I would like to admit!
-It is perched at a reasonable angle, like a picture frame really. It can also be laid flat.
-There's a black side to the foam which is nice. I don't use it. I put gem-related documents (that fit) on the back side though. This adds some pushback or pressure from the back, which helps very shallow/tiny gems stay in place. This is only a problem for stones that are like 0.5mm depth.
- I did not ask what the materials are. But they feel better quality than other gem solutions I have bought. It is held together by some metal rods, the finish feels like good quality plastic or perhaps it is coated with something. But it is not thin, frail, etc. I've had it for maybe 8 months? a year? there is no scratching or signs of deterioration yet.

Potential issues:
-Of course, it is still mass produced with expected minor imperfections. I am worried I am overselling it, so pointing this out.
- The closing mechanism is a magnet - feels strong to me but who knows if dropped? Perhaps a physical lock would be better, but perhaps moving parts are also bad when we are talking about mass production.
- you said you have huge stones, my biggest are around 4-5ct, I can't promise it will work as well for very large stones.

I bought the 25x25 model sized model because I wanted to store everything in one as I said. I think this is plenty space for me for many years, especially since I can rearrange the gems to be very densely packed as needed. Right now I have loads of space.
I know some folks may have 100s of stones. This box may not work for them unless they only want to store some at a time.

I would link it but I am concerned the Aliexpress link will show my location/country etc. Search for GemTrue store on Aliexpress, the product looks like this. Again, this is the XL model, I think they have a small model which is more appropriate for 1 gem or a pair.



FYI - I contacted them via Whatsapp from their Aliexpress, since this 25x25 XL model is not always available even if listed, or only one color is (black or white) and you may have to wait for the one you prefer, apparently. They had to make a unique listing for me with the correct shipping cost etc.

Sorry - I won't attach a photo of the display in my home since I am not that reckless, but I am very happy with it!

Oh yeah!
This vendor uses what looks to me to be the mini version without the 'picture frame feature' (at least, from what we can see). I don't know if its the exact seller/manufacturer but it looks identical, just custom colored/branded.

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Quick screenshot for example.

 

[georgecostanza]

I have way too much to say about this lol.

Storage is maybe different but I wanted to display my loose stones. Yes, I know the risk factor. I live in a super safe area, so this is not a significant concern for me. I want to see my gems easily without having to take them out etc. Maybe I am crazy. If I had super expensive gems I would maybe be more cautious. I suppose as suggested above, folks could put their expensive stuff in a more secure location and their for-fun display pieces in this method. Anyway.

I tried a bunch of different display boxes/cases. Everyone has different preferences but I found:
-I didn't like having the gems in separate containers. I wanted everything displayed in one box.
-I didn't like that the poor quality foams left permanent indentations.
-I also didn't like scratchy plastic or cheap feeling mystery metal.
-I didn't like that they weren't really 'displayed' but flat, like laying on a surface. I wanted something like a picture frame I could have on my desk. Angled so I can see it.

This led me to buying a model from a company called GemTrue. They are not as cheap as the typical Aliexpress stuff (which works fine for most I'm sure) but the quality is better (I'm sure you could find some $$$ fancy custom made artisan ones).

Why I like it-
-The foam does not leave permanent indents even with my deeper cut gems. After a short time it bounces back. Slightly stubborn indents from sharp culets stay very slightly visible, but when the area is brushed with microfiber cloth, this completely disappears. So, I can rearrange the gems around freely and not worry about indents. I find this fun - I do it more than I would like to admit!
-It is perched at a reasonable angle, like a picture frame really. It can also be laid flat.
-There's a black side to the foam which is nice. I don't use it. I put gem-related documents (that fit) on the back side though. This adds some pushback or pressure from the back, which helps very shallow/tiny gems stay in place. This is only a problem for stones that are like 0.5mm depth.
- I did not ask what the materials are. But they feel better quality than other gem solutions I have bought. It is held together by some metal rods, the finish feels like good quality plastic or perhaps it is coated with something. But it is not thin, frail, etc. I've had it for maybe 8 months? a year? there is no scratching or signs of deterioration yet.

Potential issues:
-Of course, it is still mass produced with expected minor imperfections. I am worried I am overselling it, so pointing this out.
- The closing mechanism is a magnet - feels strong to me but who knows if dropped? Perhaps a physical lock would be better, but perhaps moving parts are also bad when we are talking about mass production.
- you said you have huge stones, my biggest are around 4-5ct, I can't promise it will work as well for very large stones.

I bought the 25x25 model sized model because I wanted to store everything in one as I said. I think this is plenty space for me for many years, especially since I can rearrange the gems to be very densely packed as needed. Right now I have loads of space.
I know some folks may have 100s of stones. This box may not work for them unless they only want to store some at a time.

I would link it but I am concerned the Aliexpress link will show my location/country etc. Search for GemTrue store on Aliexpress, the product looks like this. Again, this is the XL model, I think they have a small model which is more appropriate for 1 gem or a pair.



FYI - I contacted them via Whatsapp from their Aliexpress, since this 25x25 XL model is not always available even if listed, or only one color is (black or white) and you may have to wait for the one you prefer, apparently. They had to make a unique listing for me with the correct shipping cost etc.

Sorry - I won't attach a photo of the display in my home since I am not that reckless, but I am very happy with it!

Oh yeah!
This vendor uses what looks to me to be the mini version without the 'picture frame feature' (at least, from what we can see). I don't know if its the exact seller/manufacturer but it looks identical, just custom colored/branded.

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Quick screenshot for example.

This looks awesome!! I’ll look into it. Thank you!

 

[Bron357]

The good ones live in containers, the others live as “gravel” in my Lalique fish tank.

 

[Autumn in New England]

The good ones live in containers, the others live as “gravel” in my Lalique fish tank.

I love that you have these color coded.

 

[yssie]

Loose gemstones give me anxiety. Like I can feel my blood pressure rise thinking about the very few loosies I've not found mounts or new homes for.

Why did I open this thread? It's basically an exhibition for my biggest bling phobia