Ways to Safeguard Your Jewels at Home

Jewels bring class and glamour to our lives. They’re prized possessions that are often linked with social and emotional significance. Common examples are, of course, wedding bands and proposal rings that mark important life milestones. Similarly, gold bullion is also considered a valuable form of wealth, often passed down through generations as both a financial asset and a symbol of enduring prosperity.

With that said, it’s easy to understand why some go out of their way to care for their jewels. Proper care and maintenance of jewels will prolong their lifespan.

However, you’re reading the right piece if you constantly worry about your jewels when you’re not wearing them. With a few simple precautions, you can safeguard your precious gems and keep them looking their best.

The following tips can help prevent jewelry damage:

• Always separate and store jewelry items in a soft cloth.
• Get fabric pouches from a jeweler or retailer.
• Store jewelry in a box with enough compartments for different types of jewelry. Padded ring slots and hanging posts for necklaces and bracelets are ideal.
• Leave enough space for items in your storage area. Do not cramp each area with too many items. This can cause entanglements or damage to the gems.
• Protect semi-rigid chains and pieces from twists and bends. These can cause permanent damage to the jewelry.
• Store sterling silver jewelry in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth.

Regardless of the amount of jewelry, the last thing you want is for the wrong person to get their hands on them. Unfortunately, more than 7 million instances of property crime were committed last year. Of those crimes, 20% of which cited as burglaries. Below are a few straightforward ways you can protect your valuables at home.

1. Use a Lock Box or Safe

You might believe that you can trust the individuals in your home, but you can never be too safe. Invest in a sturdy, locked storage compartment with restricted access for your jewelry. This is better than storing your valuables in a jewelry box or bureau.

Keep a safe that comes with a key in a secure and hidden location. Better yet, opt for safes with combination locks to further reduce the risk.

2. Separate Storage for Valuable Jewelry

Your grandmother’s valuable jewelry like diamond tennis necklace, engagement ring may not be worth much in the current market, but it holds a great deal of sentimental value. To keep your valuable jewelry (especially diamonds) safe at home, it is best to invest in a dedicated storage solution. A traditional jewelry box is a good option, but you may also want to consider a lockable case or even a safe. 

The important thing is to have a designated place for your most treasured pieces where they will be well protected from burglars, children, and pets. Separate storage will help keep your collection in better condition. In addition, it’ll aid prevent tarnishing and scratches from other jewelry pieces.

The above tip is especially needed when storing diamond pieces. Diamond gems are the hardest materials. They might cause more damage when stored together with your jewelry pieces. 

3. Ensure Your Jewellery Is Well Hidden

Even if you have a secure storage solution for your valuable jewellery, it is still wise to keep it out of sight. If potential burglars can see your jewellery through a window or door, they may be tempted to break into your home to get their hands on it. Therefore, it is best to keep your valuables in a discreet location where they cannot be easily seen by passers-by.

Avoid keeping your lock box or safe out in the open. While a potential thief may not be able to open it, there’s no guarantee that they won’t take it to someone who can. Having your jewels in plain sight is a sure way to attract potential burglars to your home. To prevent this, ensure that they can’t easily be uncovered while cleaning or organising.

Even if you don’t have a safe for your jewels, this is the simplest and most important thing you can do. Various ways exist to keep your possessions out of the view and reach of potential thieves. So let your creativity run wild.

You can create a secret compartment by placing a panel towards the back of a shelf. Or you can fasten a small box under—not in—a dresser drawer. Even a flower vase or planter can be a solid hiding spot if it doesn’t look out of place. However, this is still riskier than using a well-hidden safe.

4. Keep a Jewelry Inventory

It may seem an arduous task to recount every piece of jewelry you own from memory. This is especially true if you own an extensive jewelry collection.

You can keep a dedicated photo album of your jewelry. Take photos of each piece of jewelry you own. A close-up photo showing the piece’s details and one with your face can prove ownership.

Insurance companies need proof of what you had in case of fire, flood, or another natural disaster that destroys your belongings. This is so they’ll reimburse you or replace it with the same kind and quality. That’s why having a dedicated jewelry inventory at the ready is pivotal.

5. Open an Insurance Policy

Homeowner’s insurance might not cover some pitfalls such as fires or other disasters. Thus, a comprehensive jewelry insurance plan is best. It creates a way to preserve jewelry value in such instances.

A ton of insurance companies specialize in fine jewelry, gold, and precious stones. Depending on the amount and value you want to insure, you can choose from various packages. Terms cover everything from burglary to damage caused by accidents or natural disasters.

Often, you will need to have your jewelry formally appraised before opening a claim. Some appraisal options are more expensive than others. However, this should pale in comparison to your collection’s initial cost and value.

6. Invest in a Security System

A functional security system reduces your chances of falling victim to property theft. Therefore, security gadgets like alarms, motion detectors, or closed-circuit cameras are advisable.

Installing a security camera system in and around your home is often enough to serve as a deterrent. Install cameras in obvious, easy-to-see places as burglars often scout out their targets. Seeing your cameras could discourage them.

Some new equipment models even have remote surveillance features. The option to notify law enforcement of any suspicious activity is also available. After all, you cannot predict what will happen when you’re not home.

7. Stay Home During Repairs and Other Services

Endeavor to schedule repairs and other housework when you know you will be present. It’s not always the most convenient option, but it is one of the safest. If you’re in the house while someone is working, it eliminates the chances of them poking around.

An added benefit is peace of mind. This is because you fret about anything happening to your jewelry while you’re away. Granted, this might not always be possible, like with a babysitter or fumigator, but you can protect yourself in many other situations.

8. Do Not Post Your Travel Plans Online

As tempting as it is to show off your vacation tanned skin, resist the urge to post pictures till you’re home. Why? Thieves love to find out who’s not home so they can raid the place with minimal risk to themselves. So making a habit of waiting until the end of your trip to let the world know you’re out of town is advisable.

Conclusion

While it is impossible to prevent every theft, there are ways that you can safeguard your jewels and precious metals from would-be thieves. By following the tips outlined in this post, you can make your home less of a target for criminals and give yourself peace of mind regarding your most valuable possessions. 

Have any questions about safeguarding your jewels? Reach out to us – we’d be happy to help.