Moving can be a stressful time. In addition to the logistics of packing and unpacking all your belongings, you also have to worry about keeping your valuables safe. This is especially true for jewelry, which can be easily lost or damaged in the process. Here are six tips to help you protect your jewelry during a move.

6 Ways to Protect Your Jewelry During a Move

1. Take Inventory

Before you even start packing, take inventory of all your jewelry. This will give you a better idea of what needs to be packed separately and with extra care. Make sure to include everything, from necklaces and bracelets to earrings and rings. Once you have a list, you can start sorting your jewelry into categories.

For example, you can put all the fragile pieces together or group together the items that you wear most often. This will make it easier to find what you need once you’ve arrived at your new home.

If you have any particularly valuable pieces, consider getting them appraised before the move. This way, you’ll have a record of their worth in case they are lost or damaged during the move.

2. Clean Your Jewelry

Once you’ve sorted and inventoried your jewelry, it’s time to give it a good cleaning. This will help ensure no dirt or grime is lurking in hard-to-reach places that could potentially damage your jewelry during the move. Be sure to use a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth. You don’t want to risk damaging them in the process.

If you have any extremely delicate pieces, it’s best to take them to a professional jeweler for cleaning.

3. Pack Your Jewelry Correctly

While only about 24.7% of movers move more than 500 miles away, most moves are still long distances. This means there’s a greater chance that your belongings could get lost or damaged in transit. Even though diamonds rank a 10 on the Mohs scale and are the strongest mineral on Earth, they can still be damaged during a move. So, it’s important to pack your jewelry correctly to ensure it arrives safely at your new home.

There are a few different ways you can do this:

  • Use a jewelry box: If you have a sturdy jewelry box, this is a great option for protecting your pieces during the move. Just be sure to wrap it well in bubble wrap or packing paper to prevent it from getting damaged.
  • Use Ziploc bags: Another option is to put each piece of jewelry in its own Ziploc bag. This will help keep them from tangling and getting damaged.
  • Use pillows: You can also pack your jewelry in a pillowcase or soft cloth to keep it safe during the move. Just be sure to tie it securely, so nothing falls out.

Once you’ve decided how you’re going to pack your jewelry, make sure to do it as close to the day of the move as possible. This will help prevent your jewelry from getting tangled up with other items and getting lost in the process. It will also protect your jewelry from being scratched or damaged by other objects.

4. Keep Your Jewelry With You

If possible, you should keep your jewelry with you during the move. This way, you can ensure that it won’t get lost in the shuffle. If you have to pack it up, make sure it’s in a place where you’ll remember to unpack it first. You might also want to wear your most valuable pieces on the day of the move. This way, you’ll know exactly where they are.

The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home and realize you don’t have your favorite necklace or earrings. If you can’t keep your jewelry with you, be sure to note its location on your packing list so you can find it easily once you’ve arrived.

5. Insure Your Jewelry

If you have particularly valuable jewelry, you might want to insure it for the move. This way, if it’s lost or damaged, you’ll be able to get compensated for its value. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see what type of coverage they offer for moving.

You might also want to consider getting a separate rider on your policy for particularly valuable items. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your jewelry is fully protected in case of an accident.

6. Get a Safe

Given that around 33% of new contractor-built single-family homes required 4 to 6 months to complete in 2020, there’s a good chance you’ll be living in your new home before it’s fully finished. This means you might not have a place to keep your jewelry safe right away.

If this is the case, you might want to invest in a small safe. This will allow you to keep your jewelry secure until you can move it into a more permanent location. Just be sure to choose a safe that is fireproof and waterproof.

With a little planning and care, you can rest assured that your most precious belongings are protected. So don’t wait until the last minute to start packing. Get started today.