How to Safely Store Your Expensive Jewelry When Moving into a New Rental

Getting ready to move into a new rental? With so much going on right now, it’s easy to overlook details such as how to prepare, pack, and transport your expensive jewelry. However, the last thing you want is to arrive at your new home to discover some of your precious items have been damaged or are missing in action. Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your expensive jewelry makes the journey safely, ready for lots of happy wearing in your new pad.

Insurance Considerations

If you’ll be using a removal company to help you move into your new rental home and would like to pack your jewelry into the van along with everything else, you’ll need to check with the company first. This is because not all removal companies are insured to carry expensive jewelry.

It’s important to ensure you have a renters insurance policy in place that’s effective from the day you move into your new pad. While you may have been aware that such a policy covers your personal belongings, did you know that renters insurance covers also jewelry? Making it even more essential to have in place if you’re lucky enough to own a collection of expensive jewelry.

Use a Jewelry Roll

A jewelry roll is an easy way to keep your expensive jewelry safe during the move to your new apartment. Most rolls incorporate several different pouches where you can store various items (this can stop, for example, necklaces and bracelets getting tangled up together) - once everything’s in, simply roll the material and securely fasten it closed, ready to transport to your new home. 

Wrap Items Separately

As an alternative, wrap expensive items of jewelry separately, either in a soft cloth or tissue paper and then place them into plastic snack bags. You could hook earrings into a small sheet of foam and attach stud earrings to buttons to keep them from getting separated or lost. Empty egg cartons or pill boxes can also be put to use to pack and transport small items of jewelry, such as rings, cufflinks, and brooches. Even drinking straws can be conscripted into service: thread necklaces through the straws and affix their clasps to prevent them from getting tangled or going astray.

If these items will be packed onto a removal lorry with your other possessions, it’s a really good idea to mislabel the boxes (such as “plates and dishes” or “Christmas decorations”) to help guard against opportunistic theft.

Keep Away From High Heat

When packing your expensive jewelry in preparation for your move, remember that some precious metals are sensitive to temperature and heat changes, which can cause warping. To this end, avoid packing these items in the trunk of the car when it can get very hot on long journeys. Instead, opt for somewhere where it will be exposed to air conditioning, such as on the floor of the car or a passenger seat. Ideally, jewelry should be stored somewhere the temperature remains under 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safely Storing Your Fine Jewelry at Home

Once you’ve moved into your new rental apartment, it’s time to think about how best to store your expensive items of jewelry. As we touched on above, it’s best not to store jewelry someplace where it’s likely to get too hot; similarly, damp, humid conditions should be avoided, which can cause tarnishing and discoloration. Due to this, attic storage doesn’t tend to be a good idea. Choose a space with a stable ambient temperature that’s not subject to humidity to best protect your precious items.

Choose a jewelry or storage box with a soft fabric lining. This will help prevent scratches or chips from occurring, especially on soft metals such as gold. You may also want to pop a few anti-tarnish strips into the box to absorb the sort of air pollutants that can cause silver to develop a dull sheen.

Finally, if you have particularly expensive pieces of jewelry, or a significantly large collection, think about investing in a home safe. And don’t forget to let your insurer know about very valuable items so that the details can be added to your existing cover.

Adding Some Sparkle to Your Move

When it comes to your expensive jewelry, it’s wise to take extra special care when packing to prepare for a move. From wrapping items separately and making use of everyday items such as egg cartons, foam sheets, and straws to mislabeling packing boxes, there are lots of steps you can take to ensure your precious items reach your new apartment safe and sound. And don’t forget to sort out your renters' insurance ahead of the move to ensure your jewelry stays just as protected post-move.