Whether it's on costume jewelry or fine designs, tarnish is one item you never want to see in your jewelry box. Sterling silver in particular can end up gray and dull due to tarnish instead of the gleaming silver color that you expect to see. However, you're not doomed to forever dipping your jewelry into smelly tarnish removers. There are materials you can use when storing the jewelry to keep it relatively, if not completely, tarnish-free.
Tarnish-Free Boxes
There are boxes and organizers that have linings made with anti-tarnish cloths. Storing your jewelry in these boxes will help keep it dry, which helps prevent tarnish since moisture is a big culprit in the formation of tarnish. Jewelry boxes and drawer organizers with this material are not that much more expensive than other types of organizers, though if you have a lot of jewelry, of course, the costs can add up. Note that while the lining will help prevent tarnish by absorbing moisture from the air inside the closed box, it won't do as good a job if you always leave the box open -- the lining isn't made to dehumidify an entire room. Also, the lining doesn't act like a dryer, making wet or moist jewelry dry. So you'll still have to wipe off the jewelry thoroughly if you were sweating when wearing it, for example.
Anti-Tarnish Cloths, Strips, and Bags
If you can't find a box that's lined with anti-tarnish cloth, you can find loose cloths, bags, and strips made of a similar material. Many times when you buy fine jewelry you'll receive a type of storage bag along with it; check if this bag is made from anti-tarnish cloth. Place the jewelry in the bag for storage; if using cloths or strips, place those in the jewelry box alongside the jewelry.
Plastic Bags
Another method is to get those little plastic bead bags from a craft store and place your jewelry in there. These are zippered bags, so you can squeeze out the air before closing them and store the jewelry in a relatively moisture-free environment. Chains should be stored separately so that they don't get tangled up.
Silica Packs and Chalk
Two items you might want to try are silica packs -- those little packs of bead-like bits that you get in vitamin pill bottles and cracker pouches -- and plain classroom chalk. The silica packs are dessicants used to keep foods, vitamins, and so on dry, so they should also help inside jewelry boxes. Just be sure you clean the exterior of the pack off well so that you don't attract pests to your jewelry box. As for chalk, it's an old folk remedy that's supposed to absorb moisture. If anything, it's inexpensive to try.
Of course, for any of these to work, you need a good jewelry box and organizers that close properly and seal up the interior of the box as much as possible. Check out stores near you and test the boxes, checking along all the openings to be sure none of them look askew. You may want to consider drawer organizers by Lovely Jewelry Organizers.
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