There are two ways of storing jewelry. Most women should know how to do both. The first is to store for easy access, to find specific pieces, and to keep the jewelry clean and untangled. The second is for safety, generally in preparation for a long trip or questionable houseguests.
The first system can be as decorative as a woman wants. T-shaped stands can display necklaces dangling along the top cross bar. Earrings can be displayed on a table-top or on wall-mounted displays that resemble corkboard with their series of holes for the earrings to be threaded through. Jewelry boxes can be as plain or ornate as desired, from a plain cherry box to a furniture-sized, dramatic, black lacquer stand. A beautiful bowl on a dresser can display a small number of pieces for easy access in the morning. A woman can buy an open container for everyday jewelry from nearly any material imaginable and easily match her decor. Earthenware, wood, ceramics, and crystal all can look beautiful and be very functional.
The second system for storing jewelry involves hiding it from potential thieves. A safe deposit box is the best place; however, cost may be an issue. Ease of access is another issue to consider. A woman can buy a safe in which to keep her valuables; however, a small safe is easy for a thief simply to carry off and open later. A safe large enough to be a deterrent to such theft can cost hundreds of dollars and is essentially immovable once in place. A woman could buy a smaller safe and bolt it to the floor or a larger piece of furniture. While this will not be as heavy, and thus not as much of a deterrent as a large safe, it is a better option than a simple, small safe.
Another option is to attempt to hide the jewelry. Some stores sell seemingly everyday objects that open to reveal hidden compartments - toothpaste bottles, soda cans, books, or decorative knick-knacks. If a woman chooses this option, she needs to be careful not to choose an object that will stand out. A single can of soda in a fridge that is otherwise full of healthy fruit juice will stand out. A single leather-bound book on a shelf full of tattered and worn paperbacks will stand out. Many thieves are attuned to these hiding places and will look for such an out-of-place object. However, when properly chosen, the hidden compartment may be just the thing. Additionally, a woman could consider putting all her jewelry in a single bag and hiding the bag in a place a thief is unlikely to look. This is harder than it first sounds. If brainstorming for ideas, cross off your first ten-a thief will almost certainly have thought of those as well. Some good spots to hide your stash might be above the drapes, in the bottom of the box of Christmas decorations in the attic, or at the bottom of the tool chest in the garage. A thief may not think to look there.
There are many options for displaying or hiding jewelry. A woman needs to consider the value of her pieces, her current financial situation, and what kind of access she needs to her jewelry before deciding on a solution.
