Get organized - advice for storing your jewelry

(ARA) - Are your mother's heirloom pearls tossed in a dresser drawer under a mound of lingerie? Do you even remember where you put the first pair of earrings your husband gave you? Or when you last wore the charm bracelet your kids made for you?

Truthfully, most of us have less than sterling organizational habits when it comes to our jewelry. We often keep it scattered around the house in multiple spots - like the kitchen junk drawer, the basket for car keys that we keep by the front door and possibly a small, overflowing jewelry box in the bedroom.

Jewelry doesn't have to be pricey to be precious. And if it's jewelry worth keeping - whether for its sentimental value or because it is expensive - it's worth keeping it organized so you can find it, wear it and enjoy it whenever you want.

Fortunately, organizing your jewelry can be easy - and enjoyable. Think of it as a walk down memory lane, reliving the happy moments and inspirations behind each treasured piece. Here are some tips to get you started:

Gather it all in one spot

Go around to all your stashing areas and gather up every piece of jewelry you own. You might be surprised at how much you have. Or you may discover that some wardrobe essentials are missing, providing your spouse or significant other with a great opportunity for the next gift-giving occasion in your house.

Once you have everything together, separate by type of jewelry, placing all rings in one pile, earrings (clip them together so the pairs stay together) in another, necklaces laid out lengthwise, etc. Now you can really get a true picture of your jewelry inventory.

The right way to store it

Start with a good jewelry box large enough to hold your entire collection with room left over for expansion. A variety of styles makes organizing easy and fits virtually any taste, room decor or style of use. If you travel a lot, consider a jewelry travel organizer, which allows you to store, organize and carry only the pieces that you'll need on the road. For home use, some popular jewelry case styles include over-the-door organizers, oval boxes with multiple layers of shelves that swivel out for access, or traditional boxes with multiple compartments and drawers for storing different pieces.

Once you've chosen the jewelry case that's right for your needs, be sure to store pieces properly in it. Lay necklaces flat or hang them on hooks made for that purpose. Clip earrings together. Store sets together in a single compartment so you don't have to hunt for individual pieces when you want to wear the whole ensemble. Store bangle-style bracelets separately from flexible ones so that the flexible bracelets don't tangle.

Remember, certain types of jewelry require special storage. Pearls, for example, should always be stored in a soft cloth pouch inside your jewelry box to prevent scratching. Keep opals away from humidity and moisture to prevent cracking. To help silver stay shiny and tarnish-free, consider a case like those made by Prezerve that has an anti-tarnish lining. Each Prezerve case is lined with FlexZorb, a state-of-the-art cloth that acts like a magnet to draw away the contaminants that tarnish and age your jewelry.

Properly organizing and storing your jewelry will help preserve it and ensure you enjoy it for many years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent