7 Best Practices for Storing Jewelry and Other Metal Heirlooms

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You’ll find them in virtually every American home; jewelry and metal heirlooms that hold both sentimental and financial value. Some are relatively new, given by family and friends as gifts or purchased for investment purposes. Others have been passed down from one generation to the next, reminders of people and times long past. Whether new or many years old, storing jewelry and metal heirlooms correctly is very important. Improperly stored, these metal trinkets, tchotchkes, and baubles can corrode, tarnish, and be severely damaged.

The good news is that storing jewelry and other metal heirlooms correctly is relatively easy. In fact, below you’ll find seven best practices for doing just that, brought to you by the storage experts at NSA Storage. To learn them all and protect your precious jewelry and heirlooms, keep reading further!

1. The Correct Storage Environment is Key

One of the most important facts about metal pieces is that they can corrode easily. The question is, how does that corrosion occur? The answer: when jewelry and heirlooms aren’t stored in the correct environment.

If you’re storing at home, a dry, dark place is the best choice. Depending on how many items you have, you might also consider getting a dehumidifier for even more protection.

Also, keeping your heirlooms and jewelry out of high humidity areas is important. That means no storing them in your basement or bathroom, where humidity can often be quite high.

If you rent a storage unit, and you have a lot of metal heirlooms, a climate-controlled storage unit is recommended. These specialized storage units keep the humidity and temperature stable throughout the year, which can prevent damage.

2. Separate Every Piece to Avoid Damage

In many homes you’ll find jewelry and heirlooms stored together willy-nilly in a box. While this might be convenient, it’s not a great choice if you want to protect them from damage. Jewelry and heirlooms banging together in a box can cause scratches, scuffs, chips, and other damage.

To prevent this damage, here are a few excellent storage tips for your metal heirlooms and jewelry:

Store each item in a felt-lined jewelry box or a small, soft pouch.
If you have gold or silver chains, keep them unclasped so that they don’t tangle.
You can use anti-tarnish strips or cloth to prevent tarnishing.
If you have a large collection, use several smaller storage containers instead of one large one.

3. Choose the Correct Storage Containers for Storing Jewelry

If you store your heirlooms and metal jewelry at home, be sure to choose the right storage container. We mentioned earlier that a felt-lined jewelry box is a good choice. We would also suggest that you use airtight containers because air can cause metal to oxidize.

Another excellent idea when storing jewelry and other metal heirlooms is to put silica gel packets in the container. These packets, which you’ll often find in new shoe and sneaker boxes, absorb damage-causing moisture.

Another excellent idea is to use soft pouches to protect any delicate gemstones in your heirlooms or jewelry. Plus, acid free tissue paper is a great choice, as the acid in regular paper can—you guessed it—cause damage.

One thing you definitely want to avoid is storing your jewelry in cardboard or newspaper. The reason why is that both can contain harmful chemicals which can damage your precious pieces.

4. Clean and Inspect Your Jewelry and Heirlooms Regularly

Oil, dirt, water and other stuff can damage, and even ruin, metal jewelry and heirlooms. That makes cleaning your jewelry before storage an important step. By removing oil, dirt and so forth, you ensure that they won’t be able to cause damage.

Speaking of preventing damage, inspecting your jewelry and heirlooms regularly is a good idea. That way, if corrosion or other damage is starting, you can stop it before it becomes extreme.

5. Keep Light and Humidity Levels Low

We’ve spoken already about humidity levels and how they should be kept as low as possible to protect your precious trinkets. It’s also recommended that you keep light levels low as UV light can weaken metal over time.

One of the best places at home to store your jewelry and heirlooms is in a closet. Most closets have very low humidity and light levels, which makes them the perfect storage place. For larger collections of heirlooms and jewelry, a climate controlled storage unit is also recommended.

6. Use Vacuum-Sealed Storage Bags

If you have a lot of silver and brass items, vacuum sealed bags are an excellent choice. These bags will prevent moisture from causing oxidation and tarnish. Not only will that protect your valuables but also reduce the time and energy needed to remove any tarnish buildup.

Vacuum sealed storage bags come in several different sizes and are very convenient. You can also use them for other items in your home including clothes, collectibles, photos, and more.

7. Store Your Valuables in a Secure Spot

While it might not protect them from damage, storing your metal heirlooms and jewelry in a secure spot is crucial. The fact is, since they’re valuable, these items are common targets for theft.

If you store them at home, experts recommend purchasing a safe and putting it in a secure location. If you choose to store in a storage unit, be sure to find a storage facility that provides excellent security.

Find an NSA Storage Unit Near You!

Precious family heirlooms and jewelry are a connection to the past and the future. Some are as small as a ring while others can be quite large, like a silver serving plate or candelabra. Whatever they are, storing them correctly, as we’ve seen, can keep them in pristine condition.

At NSA Storage, we aim to store your items with the utmost care. Our storage units are clean, safe, and secure, and you can arrange them anyway you like. In fact, many retail jewelry stores use storage units for their overstock.

Whatever you choose, we hope that the information provided today will empower you to perfectly protect your metal heirlooms and jewelry. That way, they will provide pleasure and memories for many years to come. Find storage units near you today at NSA Storage!