Storing your jewellery: our tips to keep it beautiful for longer

Jewellery rarely gets damaged all at once. More often, it wears gently between outings: a chain tangling at the bottom of a drawer, a ring rubbing against its neighbour, damp quietly settling in. Storing your jewellery well is the simplest care habit, and probably one of the most effective. A few habits are enough to find every piece intact, ready to be worn.

Why storing your jewellery well makes all the difference

Good storage protects your jewellery from three quiet enemies:

• friction, which scratches metals and finishes when pieces touch;
• damp, which is no friend to any setting;
• knots, which weaken fine chains and waste precious time in the morning.

Careful storage also has a practical advantage: when you can see your jewellery, you wear it more, you vary your combinations more easily, and you avoid losing pieces.

The golden rules for storing your jewellery

One piece, one place

The most important rule is to store each piece separately. Jewellery that touches ends up scratched and tangled, especially when it is jumbled together in the same dish. A box with compartments, small soft fabric pouches or individual dishes do the job perfectly.

Away from damp

Avoid the bathroom, which is often humid and warm, even if that is where you get ready. Choose a bedroom or a dressing room, in a drawer or a closed box. A small moisture-absorbing sachet slipped into the box can help in damp homes or by the sea.

Away from heat and beauty products

Do not store your jewellery near a radiator, in full sun on a windowsill, or next to perfume, creams and make-up. Splashes and traces of these products do not get on well with metals, and even less so with gold finishes.

Always dry and clean

Before putting a piece away, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, especially if it has been in contact with water, perspiration or cream. Jewellery stored damp keeps that moisture shut in with it, sometimes for days.

How to store each type of jewellery

Necklaces and chains

Always fasten the clasp before putting a necklace away: it is the best way to avoid knots. Hang them if possible, or lay them flat, each in its own compartment. Multi-strand designs, such as the Lérins multi-strand necklace, deserve special attention: lay them perfectly flat so the chains do not cross. Discover all our necklaces and pendants.

Rings

A ring box with fabric slots, or small individual compartments, stops them knocking together. Open, adjustable rings, such as the silver Vanikoro ring with its pebble of green sea glass, keep their shape better when they are not crushed under other jewellery.

Earrings

Always keep them in pairs: pinned to a fabric panel, placed in a small compartment or hung on a stand. For studs, put the back in place before storing them so you do not lose it. Drop earrings are best stored hanging, so they do not tangle.

Bracelets and anklets

Bangles are stored flat or stacked, with a pouch between each one. Cord bracelets, such as the Noosa bracelet, are laid down without being folded. Fine chains and anklets are fastened before being put away, exactly like necklaces.

Taking your jewellery on holiday

On holiday, jewellery often travels jumbled together in a wash bag. It is better to bring a small jewellery case with compartments, or to slip each piece into its own pouch. Fasten the chains, keep earrings in pairs and pack the case in your hand luggage. By the sea, remember to take them off before going into the water: we explain why in our article on swimming with your jewellery.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep the box my jewellery was delivered in?

Yes, it is actually an excellent idea. Every Éclat d'océan order is carefully packed in a gift box, which gives the piece a place of its own, safe from friction and dust. It is also very handy for travelling. Just remember to put the jewellery away perfectly dry, after wiping it with a soft cloth.

Should gold jewellery be stored separately?

It is preferable. As a general rule, a gold finish is more sensitive to friction: stored on its own, in a soft pouch or a compartment, it keeps its shine for longer. Avoid mixing it with sharp-edged pieces. To go further, read our article on caring for gold jewellery every day.

How do I untangle a knotted chain?

Lay the chain flat on a light surface and, using two fine pins, gently loosen the knot by easing the links apart, without forcing. Take your time, in good light. Then, to stop it happening again, always fasten the clasp before putting the chain away and give it a compartment of its own.

Where can I learn more about your materials?

To learn more about the sea glass and the stainless steel of our settings, in a silver or gold finish, visit our materials page. And for any question about a particular piece, our customer service will gladly answer in detail through the contact form.