In addition, they recommend "To prevent dust buildup, keep crystal in a curio cabinet behind glass."
Curio cabinets are a good choice because they are made specifically to display fragile items and are available in several sizes and designs to accommodate every possible collection and style of decor.
They can be found in many major furniture stores and also through websites such as www.curiocabinets.com, www.curios.com and www.furnitureonline.com. Prices and styles vary, but most feature a wooden structure with a glass display case.
Of course, everyday crystal and barware can also be stored in traditional kitchen cupboards and cabinets. Just be sure to avoid areas next to major appliances that may shake or cause unnecessary movement of the items.
Timothy J. Carder, vice president of design at Lenox, Inc. in Lawrenceville, New Jersey adds "Crystal is brittle so I wouldn't store it where there are areas of great vibration.
He offers the example of outside conditions affecting the possible preservation, "Where stems are stacked close to each other, for instance if there is roadwork going on nearby or [heavy construction taking place], that kind of thing, the vibration is the thing to look out for."
Spacing your items a safe distance apart is key to proper care. The Lenox website offers this advice:
"Always allow air space around each piece of crystal when you store it. Since glass expands in hot temperatures, extra air space eliminates the possibility of the crystal breaking because it has expanded and touched another piece."
For other fine quality crystal items such as vases, figurines or ornaments, make sure your storage areas are again free of vibration. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, you may also want to add a few layers of cushion to your items that are not currently on display.
It's always best to keep the original box that the item came in to store it for future use, but in cases where the box is unable to be retained, the next best option is a sturdy cardboard or plastic storage container.
Make sure the size of the container allows for the object to have space on either side of it for a cushion of some sort. You may wrap the item in a bundle of cloth or non-abrasive material or fill the area with packing material to prevent breakage. It may also be helpful not to stack containers holding crystal on high shelves or near areas of extreme heat or moisture.
Another good practice is to label your storage containers with the exact piece, the year you purchased or received it and what season(s) you will most likely use it in, to allow for easy access and reduce the amount of unnecessary handling.
