Whenever its a long distance move or down the street, you probably have many valuables you need to take care of before you move, but your jewelry is among the most valuable, and sometimes, irreplaceable, which is why you have to carefully pack it so it doesn’t become damaged or lost.
In this article, we look at how you can ensure the safety of your jewelry when it comes time to pack it up during the move.
Sort & Inventory
The first step to take when planning on moving with jewelry is to gather up everything you have and lay it out on a flat surface such as a table or bed. Put down a soft cloth with a solid color so that your jewelry will be easy to see. Once you have everything laid down, sort them according to type, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and so on.
Once you have them sorted by type, then take an inventory and write down everything that you have. Also, use your smartphone to take photos of every piece so that you have a visual record just in case you need to file an insurance claim. This is a good task even if you’re not moving because most people don’t have a visual record of their valuables nor do they have an accurate idea of what they have.
Decide on Packing Materials
Packing jewelry isn’t like packing dishes, you can’t just throw your valuables into a box with some styrofoam peanuts; you need to get proper packing materials to keep your jewelry safe.
The trick here is to get creative with packing your different pieces of jewelry and you’ll have to try some unconventional methods to get the best results.
Here are some ideas of packing materials you can use to pack your jewelry.
– Soft Packing Paper This paper is superior to newspaper or paper used for bags because it won’t scratch delicate surfaces.
– Toilet Paper Rolls Yes, that cardboard tube that’s leftover after you’ve used all the toilet paper is a great way to secure items like bracelets or thick necklaces.
– Drinking Straws It might sound crazy, but drinking straws are a great way to keep your necklaces from getting tangled up.
– Ziploc Bags Sealable bags are perfect for smaller pieces such as rings or pendants.
– Egg Cartons Egg cartons are ideal for keeping jewelry safe during a move; just be sure to secure the lid and place the carton in its own box that’s also well packed with material.
– Buttons You might not think of a button as an effective way to move jewelry, but they are ideal when you have to move earrings.
– Mint Tin An empty mint tin with a few cotton balls makes for a great little case to carry a few pieces of jewelry.
– Wine Corks Make a great storage device for keeping earrings secure during trade.
Using A Jewelry Box
Of course, you could always decide to use a standard jewelry box when you have to move your valuables if it is perfectly designed to hold delicate jewelry. Most jewelry boxes are built solid, which should give your valuables enough protection during travel. If you don’t have a jewelry box and want to get one for the move, get one that’s made from sturdy wood or metal and be sure that the inside is lined with soft fabric.
Jewelry Roll
Another option for traveling with jewelry is a travel jewelry roll. If you ever went swimming as a kid and rolled your jewelry up in a towel or sock, the jewelry roll is the same principle. These cloth rolls have a variety of compartments and the whole thing rolls up into a safe, compact organizer that’s easy to pack.
On The Truck or With You?
Now that you have all of your jewelry safely packed, the question remains: do you put it on the truck with the specialty item movers or keep them with you?
While most reputable movers are insured and do everything they can to ensure the safety of your items, the fact is that accidents do happen and things do get lost, which is why it’s recommended that you bring your jewelry along with you when moving to be sure.
Even if the movers had lost your jewelry and reimbursed you the money, no amount of money is going to replace those priceless heirlooms and sentimental pieces. If for some reason you have to put your jewelry on the truck, pack it conspicuously, which means don’t put a label on it that reads, MY VALUABLE JEWELRY.
If you make sure to take an accurate inventory of all your jewelry and pack each item well, you should have no trouble getting your valuables from point A to point B safely with everything intact.
