If you plan on keeping your family heirlooms in a self-storage unit, you must ensure they’re adequately protected. While many things can be dumped in a box, jewellery isn’t one of them. Out of all your possessions, it likely has the highest size to value ratio. In fact, a single piece of jewellery can be worth as much or more than everything else in your rental unit. Here are four tips for correctly storing your jewellery to ensure it remains in good condition for years.
1. Control the humidity level High humidity and jewellery don’t mix. Although you may think that metal and precious stones are tough, humidity can cause them to tarnish or lose their colour very quickly. If you can’t regulate the humidity level in your self-storage unit, it’s a good idea to invest in air-tight containers and use silica packets, which absorb moisture, to prevent your jewellery from tarnishing. However, keep in mind that opals, pearls and cameos can dry out and crack without sufficient humidity. 2. Purchase felt-lined boxes You shouldn’t store your precious jewellery in any old box. It’s best to get felt- or velvet-lined boxes to protect your family jewels. You can often find used boxes at thrift stores. However, buying new is well worth the investment. 3. Store diamonds separately Diamonds are the strongest material on Earth and aren’t affected by humidity. However, their gold, platinum and silver settings are a different story. A common concern for diamonds is what they can do to other jewellery given their hardness. Consequently, store them and other gemstones in their own individual boxes to avoid rubbing together and damaging each other. 4. Give your pearls extra attention Pearls are very soft and can easily be scratched by any gemstone or metal. Moreover, they should never be stored in plastic bags. The chemicals in some types of plastic can cause the surface of your pearls to deteriorate. Lastly, before storing your jewellery, make sure it’s clean and dry to prevent it from degrading.
5. Southern Ontario’s trusted self-storage provider
At U-Need Storage, we’re committed to providing our customers with the best storage solutions in the GTA. You can rest easy knowing our indoor, climate-controlled self-storage facilities are safe and secure. Contact us today to book a unit. We serve customers in Milton, Guelph, Georgetown, Mississauga, Oakville, Freelton and the surrounding areas.At U-Need Storage, we’re committed to providing our customers with the best storage solutions in the GTA. You can rest easy knowing our indoor, climate-controlled self-storage facilities are safe and secure. Contact us today to book a unit. We serve customers in Milton, Guelph, Georgetown, Mississauga, Oakville, Freelton and the surrounding areas.