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Jewellery is a timeless thing. Even if we conjure images of a soft-focussed, velour cushion enrobed with ostentatious costume trinkets – or a fantastical princess wearing priceless heirlooms in some elegant dance hall, a long time ago somewhere far, far away –, that dated concept doesn’t detract from the very real, very loved items of jewellery you wear day to day, or keep happily displayed on your dresser.
Whatever the state and content of your own figurative (or indeed literal) jewellery box, it is jewellery that deserves to be kept safe.
Whether priceless family heirlooms, extravagant recent purchase, or just a sentimental set of charity-shop selections, your jewellery is at risk. How do you keep it safe?
Safe Storage for Jewellery
When thinking about keeping your jewellery safe, you’ll naturally turn first to safe storage.
When your jewellery isn’t being worn or actively enjoyed, it ought to be put away – both to limit the potential for theft, and to limit the potential for environmental damage (more on which shortly).
The simplest, and perhaps most cost-effective, way to reduce the risk to your jewellery is to put it away.
Having a dedicated jewellery box, and placing that jewellery box in your wardrobe, ensures that when not in use, your jewellery is not on display.
Most home burglaries are not pre-planned heists, but crimes of opportunity; by removing the opportunity, you reduce the risk of theft.
Home Security for Theft Prevention
Of course, hiding your jewellery doesn’t preclude you from falling victim to a more determined thief – and in cases where your jewellery collection is especially valuable, it is in your best interests to invest in the security of your home accordingly.
This isn’t just to better protect pricy items from thieves; it can also be a fundamental requirement of your home insurance policy.
If you haven’t taken adequate steps to protect your home from theft, you may not be able to claim for some of the losses you incur. Even just upgrading your locks, and investing in a hardwired alarm system, can be a strong start.
General Tips for Jewellery Care
But when we talk about safety, we’re not just talking about safety from thieves.
Your jewellery is also at risk of deterioration, whether fragile pieces fall off a table and break or a humid home accelerates the tarnishing of rare metals.
Womens rings are particularly deserving of regular care, particularly for how often they can be worn – and for the tarnishing they can experience with thanks to sweat and regular exposure to hand lotions or other products.
Proper storage is a start for jewellery care, but regular cleaning should also be undertaken. You only need some warm water and a splash of washing up liquid to bring up most metals, and remove contaminants.
Travel and Insurance Considerations
While your home environment is the most logical place to start when thinking about jewellery safety, it’s not the only setting where risks exist.
Many people forget that travel can pose some of the greatest threats to valuable pieces. Whether you’re jetting off on holiday or attending an event away from home, always think ahead.
Keep your jewellery in your carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage, and use a discreet travel jewellery case that keeps each item separated to avoid scratches or tangling.
Hotel safes are useful, but for high-value pieces, you might prefer to leave them in a bank deposit box until you return.
It’s also worth reviewing your home insurance policy regularly. Some policies only cover high-value items if they are listed individually, while others require you to provide formal valuations.
Obtaining a professional appraisal not only ensures you have accurate cover in the event of loss or theft, but also helps you track your jewellery’s current value for future resale or inheritance purposes.
Finally, consider photographing your jewellery collection. Clear, well-lit photos stored securely online or in cloud backup provide invaluable evidence for insurance and police reports.
The combination of thoughtful preparation, secure storage, and proper documentation means that even if the unexpected happens, you’ll have the best possible chance of reclaiming your treasures or, at the very least, their value.
Conclusion
Ultimately, keeping your jewellery safe is about far more than keeping it from prying eyes or impulsive hands.
Your jewellery collection is, at once, an expression of taste, a store of value and a sentimental set of worldly possessions – possessions which deserve the best care and attention you can provide, so they can be the proverbial gift that keeps on giving.
