How to Store Antique Jewellery

Antique jewellery has survived a century or more; with a little care, it will survive many more. How you store it makes a surprising difference, protecting stones from scratches, chains from tangling and delicate materials from damage.

A British gold jewel casket: fine jewels have always been given a home of their own. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Give every piece its own space

The most common damage we see comes from jewellery stored loose together. Diamonds and sapphires will scratch softer stones, gold and even each other. Keep pieces in separate compartments, soft pouches, or their original fitted cases, like this Edwardian diamond cross pendant in its original case.

Antique fitted jewellery cases in leather and velvet — Antique fitted cases from our collection, each made for a single jewel.

Chains and necklaces

Fasten chains before you put them away, and hang them or lay them flat, so they don’t knot. A tangled fine chain can be very hard to undo without damage.

Edwardian 18ct Gold & Platinum Two Colour Chain

Materials that need extra care

Pearls are organic: store them flat, away from harder jewellery, and let them breathe; don’t keep them sealed in plastic for long periods.

Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace by Johannes Vermeer — Johannes Vermeer, Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace, about 1663. Gemäldegalerie, Berlin. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Opals contain water and dislike very dry or very hot places.

Enamel can chip if knocked: keep it wrapped.

Closed-back Georgian settings must be kept dry, as moisture behind the stones damages the foil.

Silver tarnishes: anti-tarnish cloths or pouches help.

Opal earrings, black enamel locket, foiled Georgian ring and silver bangle — Opal, enamel, a foiled Georgian setting and silver: materials that reward a little extra care. See more

A good box

A lined jewellery box with separate compartments is ideal. Every piece we sell comes in our signature AJC box, and our luxury boxes are made to keep special pieces safe.

The AJC signature jewellery box — Our signature AJC box, which comes with every piece we sell.

Keep the original box if a piece comes with one. It protects the jewel, and a fitted case is part of its history too.
Olly Gerrish, AJC Founder

Security and insurance

For valuable pieces, a safe or a secure drawer is sensible, and make sure your jewellery is properly insured with an up-to-date valuation. See our insurance page.

Travelling

Take a small padded roll or case, keep valuable pieces in your hand luggage, and don’t pack rings loose in a bag.

Our view

Separate compartments, soft linings, dry conditions and a little common sense: that is all antique jewellery needs to last another hundred years. See also our guide to looking after and cleaning your jewellery.