By Kelly Pratt

Tangled bangles—what to do?! If you’re tired of unraveling chains or digging for a matching pair of earrings, try some of these great organizing tips.

Remember the 80/20 Rule
Consider the amount of jewelry you own as opposed to how much you actually wear; the 80/20 principle definitely applies. Because you likely wear only 20% of the jewelry you own, pare down! You will save yourself time, energy and frustration if you don’t have to search through mounds of unused jewelry to get to your most-often worn pieces.

Store in Separate Categories
To keep your most-used jewelry accessible, store it separately from your special occasion, costume and heirloom pieces. For example, any jewelry used for dress-ups or Halloween can be stored with costumes, and special occasion and heirloom pieces are best stored in separate containers to insure their safety.

Determine Your Best Storage Option
The type, quantity, and style of your jewelry will help you determine your best storage options. The classic jewelry box may be just the ticket if you have several bracelets, rings and brooches, but it may not be the best storage option for long strands of beads and necklaces. Consider using one or a combination of the following options:

+ Jewelry armoire—Jewelry armoires come in both standing and wall-mounted styles and are for the serious accessorizer. Most styles come with either drawers or hooks for necklaces and bracelets as well as specialized ring storage section.

+ Jewelry stand—Jewelry stands are ideal for necklaces and bracelets as well as if you have relatively few pieces of often-used jewelry. A jewelry stand can also be a decorative alternative to hooks.

You can also fashion your own jewelry stand for under $10. Create a “T” with 1” diameter wooden dowels cut to 12” lengths. Attach the T to a sturdy base (like a block of wood or even an unfinished wood plaque or picture frame) and either paint the stand or cover it with fabric and embellish according to your décor and tastes. This homemade jewelry stand also makes a great birthday party craft or gift for pre-teen and teenage girls.

+ Hooks—Hooks are an affordable and functional alternative for necklace and bracelet storage. Jewelers recommend always hanging necklaces, particularly those with delicate chains, from hooks or stands so they don’t tangle and break. You can also use decorative knobs for the same effect.

+ Tea cups—Tea cups are a new, creative and stylish trend in jewelry storage. You can store thicker chains, strands of beads, bracelets, pins, brooches and rings inside the cups and hang dangly earrings from the rims.

+ Tie rack—A men’s tie rack is a functional and affordable storage option for heavier necklaces and bracelets. A tie rack is also a great alternative for seldom-worn necklaces and bracelets because it can hold a large number of pieces and can be stored in the low-use area of a closet.

+ Magnet board—Magnet boards are another easy-to-find, affordable storage option. By using magnetic hooks or hooks you fashion yourself, you can create a flexible storage configuration that will accommodate your needs.

+ Cork board—Cork board is a good option for post earrings. You can either hang a piece of cork in your desired dimensions on a magnet board, the wall or in a drawer. Cork also serves as a great background for push pins on which you can hang bracelets and necklaces.

Decide Where to Store
When you are deciding where to store your jewelry, consider—

+ Humidity (e.g. silver will tarnish in a humid bathroom).
+ Value (your 1-carat diamond earrings are better kept somewhere other than in plain view on the dresser).
+ Clutter (jewelry can easily look messy, so you may want to store it out of sight).

Store and Repurpose Heirloom and Fine Jewelry
Give special consideration to your most valuable pieces. Whether their value is monetary or sentimental, these items should be stored in secure containers, like locked boxes or safes, out of the main flow of your home.

If you want to repurpose heirloom or vintage pieces, you can use them as display pieces rather than as wearables or create new pieces yourself.

Sell or Swap
If you no longer wear certain jewelry pieces and are interested in selling them, you can have your jewelry appraised as a wearable piece or as scrap. Even though there are an abundance of “turn gold into cash” outfits these days, not all of them are created equal, and you can lose up to 75% of the retail value of your jewelry by turning it into scrap.

If you prefer to give away or throw away, and if you and a few friends are ready for a jewelry purge and update, a jewelry swap may be just the ticket. Before you send your unwanted items off to Good Will, the trash heap or the costume closet, you can get together and give each other first dibs on each other’s treasures!

Happy organizing!

Kelly

Thanks Kelly!

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