Jewelry Organization Hacks from a Fine Jewelry Designer
18 years in the jewelry industry and my holy grail is a tiny Ziploc bag
I asked what you guys wanted to see on Substack and this is what people ask me the most!
After 18 years in the jewelry industry, you probably think I have a groundbreaking jewelry storage system… but here is my advice as your resident jewelry expert—go back to the basics! I’ve probably tried hundreds of ways to store jewelry over the past two decades, and I can confidently say that sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.
And make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom, because I’m giving away a free DRD travel jewelry organizer…
My Holy Grail—Jewelry Poly Bags
I am a big fan of using little plastic poly bags. If you’ve never used these, they’re essentially tiny Ziploc bags (usually 2x3 inches) that you can get in bulk. They’re all over Amazon—here is a pack of 100 for $5.99. This is how we safely store pieces (that aren’t on display) in the showroom, so if anyone asks, you can quite literally say this is how the professionals do it. It’s easy, affordable, prevents scratches and dust, and you can see all of your pieces separately without them getting tangled or knotted with each other.
Pro tip: if you’re storing a chain, like a delicate necklace or bracelet, you HAVE to leave the clasp out of the poly bag for this to work, otherwise the chain may get tangled in the bag.
Hook Pairs Together
When I’m storing pieces like huggies and studs, I always link them together. Huggies can easily be looped through one another before storing away, and I keep studs together by threading the post of one stud through the looped butterfly backing of the other. I hate when the posts are scratching other earrings or pieces of jewelry and this is the perfect solve for that.
Tips for Travel
Did you know we sell a genuine leather DRD jewelry case? I love using this, especially when traveling, because it has a place for everything that keeps the pieces separated and a soft interior lining. But I also can’t break up with my poly bags when traveling! I bring them everywhere. Traveling with the little DRD black boxes or suede pouches is great too, if you’re only bringing a couple of pieces.
I also think the straw hack is genius… If you don’t know what I’m talking about, just watch this.
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Long-Term Storage
When it comes to storage, I think a simple, clean jewelry box or tray is a nice option. Just make sure to get something with a soft interior to protect the metal of your pieces. And learn from my mistakes after almost two decades playing with jewelry… ALWAYS claps bracelets and necklaces before storing. You’ll thank me later when you’re not taking tweezers and needles and fumbling fingers to your tangled chains. :)
What else am I missing? Give me all the jewelry hacks you know!
P.S. Like AND comment on this post below and I’ll randomly select someone to win a free DRD travel jewelry case!
xx Dana
The poly bag tip has been lifesaving for travel. I used to throw those bags away!
Thank you for the tips!