Sensational Storage: How to Choose the Right Jewellery Box

Years of working with jewellery has taught me a simple truth: storing and wearing jewellery correctly is no less important than creating it. Scratched gold, tarnished pearls, chipped stones, and the loss of clasps or paired elements are a waste of the skill of even the most talented jeweller. Interested in avoiding this? Jewellery boxes can help you cope with this simply and beautifully! What types exist, what to look for, which one to give preference to, and how to find the best of the best – for all of this, continue reading…

Before I started writing about jewellery, I worked in sales for seven years, and even then, I realised how important it is to store and care for jewellery. I remember how amazed I was by the condition of the engagement rings that clients brought to Tiffany & Co. for diamond cleaning and polishing. But in fact, caring for jewellery and storing it correctly to prolong its brilliant ‘career’ on your finger or ear is not so difficult. Care is another issue altogether; for now, we will look at the different types of storage boxes.

Individual Jewellery Boxes

If you purchase jewellery that has been created with respect and care, it will most likely be packaged in an individual box or display and shipping box along with a fabric envelope that has a clasp. Soft internal materials, durable construction and carefully selected shades in packaging can often support a purchasing decision while also ensuring your newly acquired item arrives home safe and sound. For example, I still keep my Shavarsh Hakobian ring in its original packaging, which itself is also an art object.

Equally, I understand that as your personal collection grows – which is what I sincerely wish for you – the number of boxes also grows. This complicates storage, transportation and organising a collection. What you need is to conveniently store your pieces, compare them quickly when dressing, and move them en masse without needing to search every shelf or in “the most reliable places”. I would argue these are the minimum requirements of every jewellery owner! At this point, you are probably considering the next phase in storage solution – portable organiser boxes.

Portable Jewellery Organiser Boxes

These relatively compact solutions are perfect for storing small collections at home and also for travelling with jewellery. Match your choice to your lifestyle and preferences. Leather, wood, acrylic or even a stone-encrusted exterior – of course, in combination with an internal soft material – could become a more reliable and durable fortress for your treasures. To keep your jewellery safe and sound when travelling, the box should be compact and lightweight, with a super-soft lining that guarantees the safety of your jewellery, and it should be easy to organise on your journey. A fabric roll organiser would be the easiest solution for jewellery without stones, and a box with removable compartments will make packing and unpacking easier.

Also, note that there are boxes designed solely for rings or necklaces – I personally find them inconvenient and have abandoned them in favour of multifunctional boxes. It is for you to choose whether you should prioritise portability and the importance of enjoying your favourite jewellery wherever you go without sacrificing style or security. Also, in order to protect your jewellery, manufacturers offer solutions with improved locking mechanisms or combination locks that offer greater peace of mind.

Stationary Jewellery Organiser Boxes

Within this category, you will perhaps be plagued with the most choice. I suggest that you think through the following points to start with: do you intend to store the same or different types of jewellery? Do you prefer an open or closed box? These are the fundamental differences that affect the functionality of the purchase; the rest is a matter of your personal taste. If your goal is to collect all your existing treasures ‘under one roof’, it makes sense to take this into account right away and purchase a box with an already thought-out interior for rings and bracelets, as well as earrings and chains. Would you prefer to keep your earrings separate from your necklaces? Take a look at mono-racks: each of them is designed for only one type of jewellery and is equipped with appropriate hangers, holes and fasteners. These racks are most often designed as an open structure, allowing you to evaluate their contents at a glance.

The same goal can easily be achieved with the help of transparent acrylic boxes, offering bonus protection from dust and sunlight. I store my earrings in a separate acrylic box where they can be hung rather than stored horizontally, allowing me to quickly find the pair I need. When choosing a box, it is important to remember the main purpose for which you are purchasing this organisational gadget and not let a tempting design lead you in the wrong direction.

Jewellery Boxes as a Decorative Item

If your love for jewellery is already approaching the size of our galaxy, as in my case, this section is for you! Eighty-four rings, 32 necklaces, 24 pairs of earrings – this is the capacity of the Songmics cabinet. Attached to a wall or door, it will not reveal its contents in any way because when closed, it looks like a mirror.

You may also be interested in the range of British brand Linley that specialises in bespoke furniture, home decor, gifts, accessories and other special creations. Its team is experienced in producing smaller versions of famous architectural objects and landmarks. One of their most impressive works is a piece that combines the functions of a jewellery box with the appearance of Highclere Castle from Downton Abbey, one of England’s most beautiful Victorian castles now made famous by the TV series.

Jewellery Safes

For unique jewellery masterpieces, however, all the above storage options are unlikely to be suitable. Throughout history, extremely valuable gems have more than once played starring roles in detective stories, not always with a happy ending for their rightful owners. The most professional solution to this issue has been created by the German brand Dottling, which has been a specialist in the manufacture of safes since 1919. My favourite one from their luxury range is The Gallery model in black calfskin with high gloss nickel details and a 30mm bulletproof glass panoramic door. The ability to admire the jewellery even when the safe is closed is the perfectly realised central idea behind this model. Another highlight that demonstrates Dottling’s attention to detail is the ability to remotely control the bulletproof glass by turning it from clear to opaque.

If your taste is not strictly traditional and you are into cheerful, life-affirming Pop Art, then you will likely appreciate the joint creations of Italian designer Bea Bongiasca and luxury jewellery accessories brand WOLF. Together, they have created a whole range of storage systems where lightness and cheerfulness go hand in hand with reliability. For example, the colourful 4-Unit Watch Winder Safe is equipped with a Palusol® fire-sealed door with a keypad combination lock, an armoured steel frame, and polished chrome fittings. Inside, there are several colourful storage boxes covered in vegan leather and lined with soft decorative microsuede – perfect for keeping your timepieces and jewels in pristine yet stylish condition.

Bejewelled Jewellery Boxes

Sometimes, the boxes themselves become a coveted jewel, especially if a famous brand is involved in their creation. In November 2023, at the Bonhams Hong Kong auction, a very rare Cartier box made of cedar and mahogany in the best traditions of cabinetmakers of the 18th century was presented. The marquetry motif depicts an elongated black panther in the silhouette of a sphinx, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The total cost of the lot was HK $48,640.

The cost of the next exhibit broke all records, though, amounting to US$3.5 million: the Mouawad Flower of Eternity jewellery box was named the most expensive jewellery box in the world by the Guinness Book of Records in 2016. Inspired by Mouawad’s signature Flower of Eternity™ motif, which features three heart-shaped petals symbolising the past, present and future, the creation was crafted from 18k gold and sterling silver and adorned with 542.39 carats of colourless and yellow diamonds, 293.24 carats of white and pink sapphires, 20.06 carats of rubies and 1,799.75 carats of lapis lazuli. A truly precious monument undertaking!

As you can see, there is as much variety in the world of jewellery boxes as there is in jewellery itself. In addition to all the functional features I have described here, all jewellery storage solutions are distinguished by their capacity. If you plan to grow your collection, think ahead and choose a box that will become a trustworthy partner. Be creative, have fun, and celebrate the time, patience and craftsmanship that has brought your jewels to life by storing them with love.