Unless you are a collector such as me, purchasing your next jewelry box should be considered a lifetime purchase. There are very few individuals that need to purchase new jewelry boxes on a regular basis unless they want to. However, if you do not take a few important items into consideration before making your new purchase then it is possible that you will not get the right jewelry box and that you will need to purchase another one before your current jewelry box has reached its end of life. Following are some of the things that you should take into consideration before making a purchase.
As long as you have jewelry you will need a jewelry box. That means you are going to need a jewelry box for the rest of your life, unless you plan on getting rid of your jewelry and going sans jewelry. Therefore, before making your next purchase take the following thought into consideration. If you plan to make your next jewelry box last for the rest of your living days then it needs to be large enough to accept your existing collection as well as the jewelry that you add to your collection in the future. Calculating approximately how many additional pairs of earrings, rings and necklaces that you will purchase and receive as gifts each year while simultaneously estimating how many years you will likely be on earth will help you to determine how large your jewelry collection will be and subsequently how large your new box will need to be to accommodate all of this jewelry. If you fail to take this exercise seriously then you are going to need to replace your existing jewelry box in the future with a larger one or consider having multiple boxes to accommodate your collection.
The old adage that you get what you pay for applies here also. Purchase a cheap jewelry box and chances are good that you will need to replace it in short order. Spend a little more money to get a quality box and it will likely last a lifetime if properly cared for. When considering a jewelry box, study its quality and craftsmanship. Is it glued together or is it put together with sturdier construction methods? Is the hardware real brass or is it fake brass that is likely to tarnish quickly? Is the lining secured well and neatly done? Look carefully at these things and don't be afraid to spend a little more for a quality box. Quality jewelry boxes do not need to be overly expensive; however, they are not going to be the cheapest on the shelf. Depending on the size of the box, it would not be unheard of for a quality crafted jewelry box to cost $150 - $300 or more for even larger boxes.
This may seem like a simple thought but it is none the less important: If you do no purchase something that you like, matches your personality and fits in with your decor then you are ultimately not going to be happy with your purchase and you will end up wanting something new. So before you go a purchase a new jewelry box take some time to consider what style you want. Do you want something that is vintage looking like a box that is Victorian in style or are you looking for something more modern and contemporary? Are you looking for something that is ornate with a lot of intricate woodwork or are you looking for something simple, clean and minimalistic?
Color is always an important factor and you should put some thought into this also. If you are looking for a wooden jewelry box, do you want the wood to match your bedroom furniture and be stained with the same color or are you looking for something that is painted with bright colors or maybe a design? Having some ideas in mind before you go looking will help to narrow down your choices and will simultaneously ensure that you end up with something that you will like and not immediately regret and want to replace. Since most jewelry boxes end up becoming an integral part of your bedroom decor, it is important that you put some thought into want you want and not make an impulse buy.
Having a jewelry box is all about protecting and organizing your jewelry, however, without the proper lining you may not be offering the protection to your jewelry that you originally intended. The linings that you should be looking for include suede, faux suede and felt. Additionally, if you have a lot of silver jewelry that is prone to tarnishing you may want to consider a tarnish resistant lining. When considering a tarnish resistant lining try to avoid ones that are chemically treated as the chemicals could ultimately end up on your jewelry and subsequently on your skin. Anti-tarnish linings that employ specks of silver to collect the sulfur naturally given off by silver jewelry which causes tarnishing are best. Additionally, try to avoid silk, it is too slippery and will allow your jewelry to slide around or velvet as it will dent easily and small fibers from the velvet will eventually wear off and collect in the crevices of your jewelry.
Jewelry boxes not only serve a functional purpose but they are also meant to be enjoyed. By taking the time to put a little thought into your next purchase you will be much happier and likely find something that will last a lifetime. Carefully chosen, a jewelry box can become an integral part of your home decor while also serving to protect and organize your jewelry collection and ultimately could become the next family heirloom.
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