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What Size Jewelry Box Should I Choose? |
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The outer dimensions of jewelry boxes can vary a great deal, and the graphics on a website sometimes do not convey a clear impression of scale. Our site clearly lists the dimensions for each box, but it is a good idea to have a ruler handy so you can easily visualize the overall size of your selected box.
The size of your jewelry box, chest or armoire will determine how much jewelry you can store. Take a quick inventory of your watches, bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, charms, and any other items in your current collection of jewelry. If you are an avid collector, you may want to allow up to 40% additional storage for future items.
For very special needs there is also the floor-standing armoire style enclosure with it swing-out sides, lift tops, drawers and much, much more. For those with an ample collection to be stored, armoires can be not only the answer but also an attractive furnishing accessory for any fine bedroom. |
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What Features Should I Look For in My Jewelry Box? |
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Perhaps the most important factor in choosing a jewelry box is the type of compartments within the box, and how they will serve to properly store your jewelry.
Consider the type of jewelry you own, then match the jewelry box compartments to your needs. Here are some of the care factors of different types of jewelry:
- Pearls: A pearl strand necklace should be stored in a form that keeps each pearl out of contact with other pearls. It is best to store pearl strands flat as opposed to hanging because they are strung on fine silk and the force of gravity could eventually weaken the silk. The nacreous coating on a fine pearl can become chipped or pitted if it rubs against a hard surface, or even if two pearls rub against each other. If you have multiple pearl strands, they should be stored in separate trays, or at least with a padded liner between them if you stack the strands
- Gemstones: While most gemstones are known for their hardness, some are actually quite delicate, and should be segregated within their own pouch or compartment. Opals, in particular are delicate. Emeralds should be store upright in a ring tray and the stone itself should not be in constant contact with any cloth or absorbent surface. Diamonds, of course, are the hardest gemstone. However, they are also very brittle. If a diamond is hit on a cleavage point, it can crack. Do not allow your gemstones to be stored loose and come into contact with other gemstones.
- Pendants: One of the most frustrating problems is a fine pendant chain that becomes tangled or knotted during storage. If you own several pendants, look for a box that has pendant hooks built into the inner lid or a side panel. This will allow you to store the chain in the hanging position and secure the pendant itself inside a shirred pouch or on the bottom hook.
- Watches: Watches should be stored on a round form with the clasp secured and the face up, just as they are worn on the wrist. Many of our boxes feature two or more watch forms.
- Bracelets: A bracelet or cuff should usually be stored on a pillow inset, which many of our boxes feature. The pillow will provide gentle support in the clasped position and remain in its own special compartment to keep the bracelet from knocking against other jewelry items.
- Earrings: Earrings are best stored on an individual earring pad that provides separate face up storage for each earring with the friction or screw back attached. It is unwise to toss diamond stud earrings together loose in a compartment. Only a diamond can scratch another diamond, and this type of storage provides the opportunity for that to happen.
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What is the Best Interior Material for a Jewelry Box? |
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If possible, avoid slick or loose fabric linings such as silk. Jewelry does not like to slide around and it certainly can be harmful to good pieces. Velvet is pretty and nice to touch but shows wear much too quickly. Your best bet is to look for a lining that is suede-like in texture and firmly and completely attached everywhere on the interior of the case. In more expensive cases, look for plush faux suede or even a pigpelle liner to safely protect and richly display those valuable pieces.
Faux suede, or ultrasuede, is often the best choice for an interior jewelry chest lining because it combines the slight traction and softness of fine suede leather, but it is more easily cleaned than a genuine suede surface. |
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What is the Best Exterior Material for a Jewelry Box? |
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The exterior material of your jewelry box is very much a matter of personal taste.
Among our Value Jewelry Box Collection, look for rich wood finishes that are pleasing to the eye, whether they are wood veneers or finely stained and finished wood. The important thing is the quality of the construction, the fine edge and color matches of panels, the protective final finish, use of durable and strong hinges for top lids, and often that special touch of an attractive and useful lock. Remember, the only judge of quality in this case will be either you or the one receiving the gift. If it is chosen with care and is a pleasure to you, him or her, then it is a good choice and a good buy.
Our Museum Quality Box Collection is for those who seek a truly extraordinary chest or box that rivals the finest old world antique furniture. These hand-crafted chests have the finest of interior features we discussed, and they are made by master craftsmen of exotic solid hardwood, with meticulous attention to detail. Finally, they are expertly finished with at least fifteen coats of high polish lacquer that forms a deep protective luster known in the trade as a piano finish.
Wood, and in particular exotic hardwood, is noble fiber to be treated with the respect it deserves. It is a truly precious commodity, never to be wasted, always used to enhance the quality of life. Among those who have had the pleasure of working with it, there is universal agreement that they have been blessed to have such material for making beautiful things. When painstakingly fashioned into an exquisite jewelry box, and with the result of the effort finally apparent, craftsmen can only view and silently exclaim, “What a pleasure it has been to achieve this!”
Bubinga burls, birds-eye maple and maple burls, teakwood with burl inserts, fiddleback Maplewood, in-laid marquetry, and more are presented in drop-dead-gorgeous finishes that set this class of enclosure apart for any in the world. Within this sphere you might also look for finishing touches such as quadrant or compass hinges in pure brass and often a matching lock with tasseled key. In this caliber of enclosures you will ultimately find those that exemplify your ideal of richness and joy of possession befitting your home. Because, home is a place you love, a place that reflects who you are. It is your retreat, a place to catch up, at once security and also an escape. And we believe that in this class of jewelry box, you will find that exceptional, expressive and very personal piece that will add richness to your home and impart a sense of sharing the joy and completion of our creative process.
Locking Jewelry Boxes
Many of our boxes feature a secure brass lock and key mechanism, which is a feature that should be considered when choosing a jewelry box.
Musical Jewelry Boxes
Many of our boxes play a delightful tune when opened, and this is also a feature that some people prefer. For these boxes, the actual tune played is listed in the product detail section. |
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More Details to Consider About Your Jewelry Box |
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Ask two dozen people to describe a jewelry box and you will likely get three dozen different descriptions. It is not because people do not know what a jewelry box is. Everyone knows what one is…. but the image each of us has in mind, its look and features it contains, is as unique as each of us is. A jewelry box is a very personal item. And because of this, one design, look or collection of features cannot be all things to all people.
Even a cursory review of products available in the market will show there are literally hundreds of jewelry box styles and likely several thousand combinations of appearance, size, features and prices. How is one ever to find the one that suits his or her need, taste and budget? We won’t pretend that we can tell you which one will really grab your heart, but we do want to try to give some helpful pointers on what helps make a jewelry box a good value.
The first thing needed is knowledge of the person who will be using the item. Obviously the needs of a young girl are not those of a mature woman. The girls will likely love one selected from an array of styles that include the traditional musical ballerina box, one with Sesame Street or hand-painted designs, or even one with shimmering looks for teens. As the quantity and value of children jewelry is usually limited, an attractively designed unit with basic storage compartments lined in almost any fabric will usually suffice. With the kids, meeting their expectations or tastes in terms of the outside image is what counts. If they “absolutely love” how it looks, anything after that is usually “OK” with them
For a woman, or that matter also for men, the look and feel are also big elements, but the task is more complicated as the interior space arrangement and custom features designed specifically for the shape and style of valuable items is of equal or greater importance.
Whether you are seeking an heirloom or museum quality piece or a truly good value priced item, pay attention to the interior arrangements and features offered. Items to look for, of course depending on the variety and type of jewelry items to be stored, could include hooks or special contour drawers for necklaces, shirred pockets, ring rolls, special bracelet accommodations, watch sleeves, and even special pockets or pouches for storing certificates and paperwork of valuable pieces, all of these are features that lead to pleasure of use and safekeeping of your special pieces. Other interior features that are most helpful and add value to your enclosure are lift or slide-out trays which reveal large compartments beneath, and often a mirror inside the top lid proves especially helpful and adds beauty to an open case.
Regarding the interior composition, the offerings are extremely large and varied, with one designed for almost every need. And that is a major point in what to consider when you look for just the right case…. have some good idea on the size and make-up of the collection that will need to be stored. And in the case of a box that is to be a gift, make a reasonable guess about the recipient’s storage needs. Then add 40% additional space to allow for future increases in collection size and your selection will be sure to please for a long time to come.
At this point you have some idea of what you want on the inside and it is time to consider what it should be on the outside. Not surprisingly, it is not only the children who care about the outside looks, and rightly so. And it is at this juncture that another decision criterion must be faced and resolved, price range.
In the world of automobiles it is common knowledge that the very best cost more than the others. But we all know also that we can find and buy one that has very good quality and will give pleasure and long service without having to buy the very best one available. The same is true with jewelry boxes. With proper evaluation of the elements we are discussing here, there are some really good values to be had in the modest price range. You just need to know what meets your need and know how to find it. |
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