The Right Way to Pack Jewelry

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

Being a professional mover means not only helping clients move their most precious possessions, but it also means helping them protect these possessions as well.  As I have pointed out in previous blogs, the secrets to getting your stuff from Point A to Point B without mishap boils down to how well they were packed.  In the past, I have shown you how to pack everything from glassware and art objects to fish tanks and electronics.  When it comes to value, nothing is worth more by the pound than jewelry.  That being said, you would be amazed at how little most people know about packing these precious possessions for a move.

Beware the Box

While it’s okay for you to keep your baubles in a jewelry box atop your dresser, that’s the worst way to transport them.  Face it; jewelry is delicate.  It’s also made of precious metals and gemstones.  While your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches might look picture perfect in that velvet-lined box, picture what would happen to these precious possessions should the box be shaken or dropped.  Unless you want to make a jeweler’s day by dropping off your jewelry to be repaired, you need to prepare them for transport the right way.

The Chain Gang

Image courtesy of Public Domain Pictures

The first thing you need to do is sort them out.  This can be accomplished by opening the box, the drawer or any other place you store your jewelry.  I recommend doing the sort on your bed. 

Lay anything with a chain out at the 12 o’clock position.  This can include necklaces, bracelets and possibly some earrings.  Since chains have a tendency to tie themselves in knots or tangle themselves up with other jewelry, you need to sequester them by themselves.  While some people prefer to coil chains for transport, this can still result in a knotted mess when you arrive at your new home. 

A better way to keep chains from tangling is to make sure they stay straight.  This can be done by taking a soda straw and cutting it to within a ¼ inch of the chain’s length.  By threading one half of the chain through the straw and closing the clasp, there is no way for the chain to tangle or rub against itself during transport.  Then all you have to do is wrap the straw in bubble wrap and secure it with string or a couple of rubber bands.

This method is perfect for thin chains. If the links are too thick to fit through a straw, you can substitute an empty paper towel tube for a necklace or a toilet paper tube for a bracelet.  Regardless of the chain, you will want to wrap anything attached to the chain, such as a pendant, separately.  The aim of packing jewelry is to keep them from rubbing against one another or breaking their links.

Bangles, Baubles & Beads

Image courtesy of flickr

Some jewelry is extremely tiny.  You’d be amazed at how easy it is to damage or lose rings, earrings, brooches, and charms.  The best way to pack anything with a stud or a pin is to pin them to a piece of cardboard.  This not only keeps them from rolling around but in the case of earrings, it keeps them together.  Once they are pinned, they should be wrapped card and all in paper.  The cards can then be gathered together in a deck that you can secure with string or a rubber band before wrapping the deck in bubble wrap before popping the deck into an appropriately sized box.

If you have any trinkets that don’t have a stud or pin, you can wrap them individually in a small piece of paper or tissue before popping them into a pill case.  (Make sure you fill the case to the top with tissue paper before you pop on the lid.  This way your jewels will not be able to rattle around.)  This method also works well with rings.

Watch It

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Today’s watches aren’t simply timepieces.  They are computers.  Just as with any electronic component, they don’t like heat, vibration or moisture.  Even if you have the original box that the watch came in, you want to make sure that the watch will not succumb to either the elements or the shock of transport. 

While it doesn’t rain in the trunk of a car, there can be extreme variations in temperature as you motor along.  This can cause condensation.  To preclude moisture, as well as cushioning your watch against shock, I recommend you wrap it in tissue paper before placing it back in its box.  Then stuff the box with as much tissue as it will hold.  This will keep the watch from rattling around during transport.

If you don’t have the original box, or you have a collection of watches, another way to protect them is to use a paper towel tube onto which you can strap the watches totem pole style.  Feel free to leave some of the paper on the tube.  This will make it easier to close the band.  Wrap a few turns of string between each watch to keep them separated.  Then wrap the entire tube in paper followed by bubble wrap.  The tube can then be packed either back in your jewelry box, or in your suitcase.

Get Creative

Other methods of packing jewelry can include using egg cartons, eyeglass cases or even wine shippers to protect jewelry during a move.   While you should never simply toss your jewelry box in the trunk as is, once you have sorted and protected your baubles, you can feel free to repack the box, making sure to use plenty of paper to keep your finery from rattling around during transport.

Last but not least, you should never put your jewelry in the back of a moving truck.  Always transport it yourself.  The last thing you want is to have your jewelry damaged or lost during a move. 

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.