Organizing your Jewelry like a Pro: Tips For A Clutter-Free Vanity

Tangled necklaces, missing earrings, scratched bracelets – does this sound familiar when you think about your jewelry collection? Often, the very treasures we choose to carry our stories become afterthoughts in our homes, tucked away without the care they deserve. Yet, with a gentle shift in perspective, our vanities can transform into quiet sanctuaries, elegant spaces that both safeguard and celebrate the pieces that speak to us. 

Organizing our jewelry is more than just simplifying our mornings; it's an act of reverence for the objects that hold our memories and reflect our personal narrative. Whether these are time-worn heirlooms passed through generations or carefully chosen pieces that mark moments in our lives, giving them a considered space honors their significance. Let’s explore ways to organize and beautify your jewelry storage that are both practical and essential! 

A Gentle Unburdening 

Before we begin to arrange, let us first pause and take stock. Collect all your jewelry and place it on a flat surface. Set aside those that need mending, those ready to find a new chapter, or those that no longer resonate. This act of clearing allows us to focus on what truly holds meaning. As you sort – consider each piece: 

• Does it still feel like a part of your story? 

• Does it need care or has it lost its other half? 

• Does it carry a weight of sentiment or a purpose that still resonates? 

Choosing Vessels of Care 

Not all treasures are best kept in the same way. Delicate links can become entangled, metals can lose their luster, and the soft glow of gemstones can be dimmed by careless contact. Investing in thoughtful storage is an act of kindness towards these pieces, keeping them separate, visible, and easily accessible. Consider these gentle guides: 

• Velvet-lined trays or soft dividers offer a tender option for storage, preventing friction over time that can dull precious surfaces. 

• Hanging displays or delicate hooks allow necklaces to hang freely, preventing the frustration of tangled or damaged chains 

• To avoid scratching, store rings separately using tiered stands or ring rolls. 

• Boxes with lids offer a sanctuary from the elements, especially for soft gemstones or metals that might be susceptible to changes in room temperature or humidity.  

• Consider the rhythm of your days. Perhaps a small dish near your mirror becomes a temporary haven for the pieces you choose most often. It’s recommended to line your dish with a soft fabric square to create a gentle landing place before their next wearing, which can be done beautifully with a piece of silk or a vintage doily or handkerchief.  

The Vanity as Sanctuary 

Whether your space is a grand dressing table or a quiet corner, the way we arrange it speaks to our inner world. Aim for a surface that feels both serene and functional, with designated spaces for daily rituals and the tools that assist them. To maintain this sense of calm: 

• Allow only your most cherished or frequently worn pieces to grace the surface. The rest can reside within, waiting for their moment. 

• Stackable trays or tiered stands allow us to build upwards, creating more space without disrupting the tranquility or usability of the surface. 

• A decorative stand or tree can become a focal point, displaying a few beloved pieces as small sculptures that enhance the beauty of your space. 

• Consider labels for drawers or containers if your collection is extensive, making it easy to locate each piece of jewelry, especially in those moments when we’re short on time. 

Displaying with Reverence 

While practicality is important, the way we present our jewelry can also add to the beauty of our personal space. These pieces, after all, often carry stories and reflect our individual style. 

• A keepsake box with a lid made of stone or bronze, which offers protection as well as a recharging site for recently worn jewelry. 

• A glass box with soft dividers offers a glimpse into a curated collection, which transforms into a modern and elegant display. 

• A vintage tray, perhaps with gilded edges, adds a touch of history and warmth, echoing the stories held within the jewelry itself. 

• A wall-mounted display with delicate hooks or a fine wire mesh can offer a boho charm while saving precious surface space. 

Allow your most meaningful pieces – a signature necklace, a beloved bracelet, a symbolic band – to be seen, a gentle reminder of their significance in your daily life. 

The Art of Preservation 

Caring for our jewelry is an act of honoring their worth, both material and sentimental. Avoid places where dampness or humidity might reside, and shield them from harsh sunlight that can fade delicate stones. Consider these practices: 

• Include anti-tarnish strips or wrap pieces in soft, acid-free tissue within their drawers or cases, which will aid in protection against the passage of time. 

• Cleanse your pieces regularly with care, using appropriate solutions or soft cloths, to remove the traces of daily life. Be sure to pick the right types of solutions depending on whether you are cleaning diamonds, metals, or softer stones like turquoise. Not all jewelry cleaning solutions are made the same, and for the same types of jewelry. 

• Have your more precious pieces looked over periodically by a trusted hand to ensure clasps remain secure and settings are sound. 

Select standout pieces — such as a signature necklace, a sleek bracelet, or even a symbolic commitment band — to display prominently, blending visual appeal with everyday accessibility. 

Sustaining the Sanctuary 

Organization requires continuous practice and regular attention. Try to remember to return each piece of jewelry to its designated spot at the end of the day. Revisit your system every few months, releasing pieces that no longer serve you and tidying any areas that have become cluttered. 

By embracing these thoughtful strategies, our jewelry collection transforms from a source of potential disarray into a curated collection of meaningful objects, residing in a space that reflects their beauty and our reverence for them. Getting ready becomes a moment of quiet pleasure, each piece waiting to be chosen and carry its story into the day. 

Author Bio- Anna Sheffield is a designer, sculptor and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry. As Creative Director and Founder, Sheffield takes a distinctive approach to jewelry design at the helm of her two brands based in New York. Committed to sustainable and ethical practices, she aligns production with single origin gem sourcing and reclaimed diamonds and metals with the highest caliber of craft. 

Organization Ideas for Your Jewelry Collection

Finding the right jewelry storage solution is important, whether you have a modest jewelry collection, a large number of inherited pieces, or the world's most expensive gemstones. 

Organizing your jewelry makes it simpler to actually see the pieces in your collection, which enhances the possibility of actually wearing the items in your collection. It's a lot harder to locate the ring or bangle you want to wear to that fancy dinner when your jewelry is a jumbled mess!

Keeping your jewelry safe and secure, knowing which pieces need to be cleaned, and keeping track of your collection may all help you prevent having your valuables stolen or misplaced. Here are some ideas to help you organize your precious stones!

Designate a drawer for your jewelry

Put your jewelry away in its own drawer in your dresser or chest of drawers. Shallow drawers are recommended since it’s much easier to keep them tidy. To keep your necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry items neatly organized, use a drawer organizer with a variety of sized slots. To maximize your jewelry storage, you may put another jewelry tray on top of the drawer if there is room.

Go through your collection

Put all of your jewelry in one central location and begin to categorize it. Sort your jewelry into different boxes depending on the piece and the event you’d wear it to. For example, more fancy emerald jewellery should go into one pile, while simple gold hoops for everyday wear should go into another. Check each item for signs of wear and damage, then put aside the pieces that will need to be polished or fixed.

Hang your jewelry on hooks

It might be challenging to fit all of your jewels into one drawer or find a jewelry organizer that can handle all of your pieces, particularly if you have a large quantity of costume jewelry or very long necklaces. Instead, you might have a DIY evening and use hooks and chains to display your jewelry. You can display your collection openly for everyone to see, or you can attach it to the inside of a door or the back of a closet to keep it out of sight.

To make a necklace and bracelet rack, just screw a few thin strips of wood into the wall and connect little hooks to the wood. You can also nail a heavy chain to the wall and then hook your earrings into the chain for an easy DIY display.

Ring dishes can be a gorgeous jewelry display

Use ring dishes as a decorative accent to store jewelry. You don’t have to have them all in your room. As ring dishes can be extremely pretty on their own, you can place multiple all around the house for a quick decor spruce-up.

Have a jewelry box for your staple items

Whenever you remove your everyday jewelry to go to sleep, you should pay special attention to storing it properly. Many people simply dump their pieces on the nightstand, where they may become tangled and easily lost. Therefore, make sure to have a jewelry storage box for your most used items where it’s most convenient. For example, have one on your bathroom counter or on your nightstand. This will keep them safe until morning. In this case, a little quartz box or acrylic jar would be just right!

Proudly display your accessories

Give each collectible its own place so that pieces don't get mixed up, lost, or thrown away. Use display cases made specifically for jewelry to showcase your watches, bracelets, and necklaces. Having a visual inventory of your possessions can help you keep track of them and notice if anything goes missing. Stack broad bracelets and chunky bangles on a standing paper towel holder or the neck of a bottle for a simple do-it-yourself jewelry organizer.

Have a DIY display

You can make your own jewelry organizers by covering a cork bulletin board with patterned fabric and attaching it to a frame with decorative mesh or metal screening. Earring wires may be hooked through the holes in the screen, and pearl-topped pushpins can be used to display necklaces. Bracelet holders and split trays are handy accessories to have on hand, so set one up on a nearby dresser or counter to keep track of your rings and earrings.

Have a box for mismatched earrings

If you didn’t have your jewelry organized that well in the past, it’s highly likely that you’ve lost a couple of earrings. Don’t throw them all out immediately. Instead, have a box in which you’ll keep all of your mismatched ones. You never know when you’ll accidentally find a piece and complete a pair. You can also have another box for the items that need to be repaired. This way, you’ll keep your primary collection free of clutter. 

We hope that these tips have helped you organize your jewelry. Even if your collection isn’t as expensive or numerous, it’s still important to keep it safe.

3 Tips For Organizing Your Jewellery Collection

Having an organized jewellery collection really helps to make finding your favorite pieces so much easier everyday, not to mention it helps to ensure that none of your precious jewellery gets tangled or damaged at all. No matter how you currently store your jewellery, we’re here to give you some wonderful inspiration for your collection moving forwards. Give everything a good clean first and then get started! 

Start By Emptying Everything Out

The best way to start any organizing task is to empty everything out of your jewellery box, or your current storage solution. If anything is meant to come in a pair, make sure you keep them together, or create a pile of spares that you may find you can gradually match up. If anything is tangled, spend some time gently untangling it (any really stuck pieces can be taken to a professional to untangle if necessary). This is also a good opportunity to give some of your jewellery a good clean, just make sure that you leave it to dry fully (hanging overnight ideally) so that you prevent any moisture entering your jewellery box. Lay everything out on your dresser or on a tray and it will make the next stages of your organizing so much easier. 

Color Code

Our first tip when it comes to organizing your jewellery collection is to color code! We often find that when you put an outfit on, you automatically know what kind of color you need to go for. So, when you have all of the colors together, you can pick out what kind of jewellery will go best with the silhouette of your outfit. Let’s look at an example. So, you put on a black dress with black heels and instantly think that something silver and sparkly will look perfect. Then you consider the neckline of the dress, so you look in the silver section for something that will suit that perfectly. From here, you can continue to go through your silver collection to find the perfect fit. 

So, in your collection, keep your gold, silver and rose gold jewellery in separate sections. If you like more bold and colorful jewellery, create a rainbow type layout with a strip or section for each color you have. This won’t take long at all but will actually make picking out your jewellery each day fun! 

Get An Earring Organizer

Our next tip is to get yourself an earring organizer. We’re big believers that you can make the most of what you already have when it comes to organizing, however one thing worth investing in is an earring organizers. This will help to make sure each pair of earrings has their own compartment, to stop anything getting tangled or damaged. You can get cheaper plastic ones, decorative wooden ones or classy glass ones, but they all do the same job so just focus on finding one for your budget.

It’s also worth keeping a stash of earring backs in your organizer for emergencies, as we all know how easily they can go missing! You can carry on with the color coding as mentioned in the last section, keeping all of the types of metals or colors together. Or, you could organize them based on the type of earring, with one section for flat back earrings, one for earring charms, one for dangly earrings and one for studs. The world is your oyster when it comes to this, but having an organizer will make everything so much easier. 

Tips For Organizing Your Jewelry Box

Your jewelry box is one of the places that might easily get disorganized, but that you push to the back of your priority list because it’s easy to forget about and maybe organizing your clothes is more important. But, if you have a bit of spare time and want to get it organised, you’re in the right place! These are such simple tips that will help to keep everything organised, but it will also keep it in the best condition possible. 

Empty Everything Out

Our first tip to help you get your jewelry box organised is to empty everything out. It is probably quite disorganized and it is so much easier to see where everything is when you empty it all out. Once you’ve emptied everything, sort it into types of jewelry, so put all of your necklaces together, stud earrings together, hoop earrings together, bracelets together and so on. If anything is tangled, this is the perfect time to spend a bit of time getting them untangled. If you have any really tangled ones, you can take them to somewhere like Timpsons who offer detangling as a service. This will really be worth it so you can enjoy every piece of jewelry in your box. 

Once everything is emptied, give your jewelry box a good clean and leave it to dry completely before starting your next step! Giving all of your jewelry a good clean at this point is also advised, by creating a mixture of mild soap and warm water, dipping a toothbrush in and gently cleaning the jewelry. Give it a really good rinse and then leave to dry completely before putting it back into your jewelry box, this might take a good 24 hours or so, but if you put it back with any moisture then your entire jewelry collection can go rusty.

Line It With Soft Cloth

Before you put all of your jewelry back in, the best way to make sure it is well looked after is to make sure that it is lined with soft cloth, if it isn’t already. It is flexible, durable and it will provide a soft base to make sure none of the jewelry gets damaged or scratched against harder materials. This is particularly important for vintage jewellery, as it is often more delicate, particularly things like strings of pearls. So, make sure to get your jewelry box lined and it will help to prolong the life of all your jewelry.

Organize By Type

Now that your jewelry box is empty, clean and lined, it’s time to start putting your jewelry back in. We would advise to store your jewelry by type, as when you are putting your outfit on, you are likely going to think “I need to add a pair of earrings” or “this outfit could really do with a bracelet”, so having them organised by type is the easiest way to find what you’re looking for. When you’re putting everything away, make sure you leave enough space between each item that it doesn’t get tangled. It’s best to have small sections for things like pairs of earrings, so everything is kept separate. Having a section with holes in a layer of the jewelry box will also be ideal for dangly earrings.