The Perfect Jewelry Box

If you have any kind of jewelry collection, chances are you have a jewelry box. But what if you're beginning to outgrow it, or what if it's not padded correctly? Find out what you need and whether you should purchase or make your own.

Jewelry boxes come in many different forms, from small, three or four-piece padded boxes, to roll-up satin travel bags, to large armoires that are more like a piece of furniture than a jewelry box. One thing they all have in common, though, is a soft surface on which each piece of jewelry may rest.

If you only have a few items and do not plan to purchase very many more, a small jewelry box may be the best choice for you. Some models are made of wood, and others of leather. Some have a latch and lock on them, while others do not. If you're thinking of purchasing the locking type, you may want to consider that if a thief wants your jewelry, he's unlikely to be deterred by a locked jewelry box. It's more likely to be a hassle for you, especially if you're in the habit of locking it and then forgetting where you put the key.

Ring boxes may be made quite simply and easily by taking an old, soft sweater, cutting off a portion of it, folding it into a paper fan shape and securing it to the bottom of a small wooden or cardboard box. You can then place each ring in its own padded section to protect against scratches from other pieces. Plenty of articles are available online that go into further detail about how to make ring boxes.

Dresser-top sized jewelry boxes are fine, as long as you have plenty of room for your necklaces. Otherwise, you could be facing a mass of tangled chains any time you want to wear one. Some of these jewelry boxes stand upright, so you can hang your necklaces in one section, which helps to prevent such tangles. If necklaces are your passion, a jewelry armoire may be the perfect choice for you, as they usually reserve two side doors in which necklaces may be hung.

Earrings pose their own storage problems. Gemstones should, of course, always be stored away from each other in order to prevent scratches, but tiny pierced studs seem to separate from each other no matter what you do. For this reason, the earring holder was created. This item stores all of your earrings in an upright position, each next to its matching pair. Plenty of articles on how to make your own earring holder are also available online.

Think about your jewelry storage needs, and choose the item you think will work best for you.