How Do You Store Your Pearls? Show Us!

[CathyKeshi]

You could take it one step further, which is easy these days with cameras on our phones and the ability to print multiple size pictures on your color printer...take a quick photo of the strand and mount that on the zipper bag! Sometimes when you have many different strands, a picture clarifies quicker than words. I love having photos of my pearls readily available...sometimes its just fun to look through the pictures.

Great idea! I could even print tiny photos right on the printable style tags

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

Great idea! I could even print tiny photos right on the printable style tags

Beats all that zipping and unzipping of bags to find what you're looking for!

 

[Cullens0913]

someone told me Olive Oil can protect the luster, but never try it.. i saw my chines friend and some Japaneses using like bean from (chemical) and swing it in the machine ...

I have used olive oil but just a drop

 

[Cullens0913]

I use the “Prezerve” sterling silver jewelry bags to store my pearls The bags keep clean silver for up to 25 years . Many compartments. I label bags 1,2,3 etc according to importance to me . Imn emergency ill grab bag one and run

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

I use the “Prezerve” sterling silver jewelry bags to store my pearls The bags keep clean silver for up to 25 years . Many compartments. I label bags 1,2,3 etc according to importance to me . Imn emergency ill grab bag one and run

Silver bags have a chemical that prevents tarnish...I'm not sure what the chemical might do to pearls for long term storage...you might want t do some research. Pearls are very sensitive to different chemicals since they are a organic substace. Does anyone know what silver cleaner/preservative would do to pearls in a storage situation?

I know I don't ever use a silver cleaning cloth on my pearls.

 

[Cullens0913]

Silver bags have a chemical that prevents tarnish...I'm not sure what the chemical might do to pearls for long term storage...you might want t do some research. Pearls are very sensitive to different chemicals since they are a organic substace. Does anyone know what silver cleaner/preservative would do to pearls in a storage situation?

I know I don't ever use a silver cleaning cloth on my pearls.

Its just a jewelry bag with tons of pockets . Obviously i dont clean pearls with silver cleaning cloths.

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

Its just a jewelry bag with tons of pockets . Obviously i dont clean pearls with silver cleaning cloths.

Whew, great to hear!

 

[Cullens0913]

This is the jewelry bag its called Prezerve

 

[Cullens0913]

As promised, here are photos my storage system. Most pearls are stored in those simple flat pearl folders, marked with what's inside (Avery File Printer/Label printed on Clear/Black Avery File Label Tape). The pearl folders were the best price at nilecorp.com and they come in white/black/pink/gray. My cheaper or mixed bead necklaces are in the pink or gray folders. When there are matching earrings an/or an enhancer for a strand, I store those in little white cotton pouches that I make/sew out of 2" twill tape (earrings have a divider seam-see photo). That way the pearls won't get scratched and can be stored with their corresponding necklace.
My more expensive strands are stored in those lovely blue velvet center open display boxes (room for the larger South Sea pearls and more protected). Obviously don't need as many of those storage boxes. Found the best price on the blue velvet boxes on Amazon.View attachment 463361View attachment 463355View attachment 463362View attachment 463360View attachment 463358

In case of emergency which strand would u grab lol. I admire your storage and classifications. Nice

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

In case of emergency which strand would u grab lol. I admire your storage and classifications. Nice

That IS a tough question! That's why I recently purchased a FIRE/GUN safe and had it retrofitted with shelves so that I don't have to grab anything...it is all safe and sound locked away, even in case of a fire. It was peace of mind for all the time and money invested. It is in a location that allows me to easily access my jewelry to wear it. The cost of the safe was reasonable versus the jewelry/pearl investment.

 

[Cullens0913]

That IS a tough question! That's why I recently purchased a FIRE/GUN safe and had it retrofitted with shelves so that I don't have to grab anything...it is all safe and sound locked away, even in case of a fire. It was peace of mind for all the time and money invested. It is in a location that allows me to easily access my jewelry to wear it. The cost of the safe was reasonable versus the jewelry/pearl investment.

Well thought out. Good plan.

 

[Shani]

DOCUMENTATION:
When I first got started and had completed about 5 projects, I realized that I wanted to
1) have a record of what I owned, what I paid, and it's value and
2) make sure that someday, when I'm gone, I would have an appropriate history and identifications of my pearl collection.

So, I started documenting each piece/ensemble with the photos you see on my thread "My Pearling Story" (with some additional photos of the 14K symbols, etc.). I also included:
1) where I purchased the original piece (because I almost always take a necklace apart and use the pearls and clasp in different projects),
2) how much I paid for the original piece,
3) an inventory of gold or non-gold beads and other findings (so I and those after me know if these are real gold claps/diamonds/beads or vermeil/rhodium silver/CZ stones),
4) the cost of any additional findings or storage boxes/folders, and
5) the diamond and gold quality/rating and specifics (14K, 18K, Platinum, color/cut/clarity of the diamonds). Finally, there is a "what I paid for everything" cost line, and then a 2022-23 valuation cost line. (I had to take all my mother-in-law's jewelry to a store to determine if it was real/fake/and what the gold content was...many items were not marked-it was time consuming and felt like a burden for the store that helped me).
By having a record of all this, my children will know (and I can remember) the value of what is wrapped up in these pearl necklaces and ensembles.

Someday I also plan on writing a "name" on each paper copy indicating whom is to receive it upon my departure from this world. I want these pieces to be enjoyed after I'm gone as much as I enjoy them now!

The other wonderful bonus is that I have accurate digital and printed documentation of what I own as well as a library I can flip through to decide what I want to wear each day! I keep these binders on a shelf in my closet and I try to make sure and rotate what I wear. I guess my accounting/musician/OCD side is really showing right now.

Probably way more work that any normal person would like to do, but I thought it was a fun project that yielded an outstanding library of my jewelry. It also allows me to share my collection with you all, and other friends who show interest in my "pearling" endeavors. I take photos of the strands I give away too, so I can remember what I've given away and when.

That is interesting. I don't have children or anyone to leave my pearls and beautiful jewelry to. The only thing I can think of is having them auctioned off for a Humane Society of choice, or if I leave behind pets, leave a stipend for them so that they will be ensured good care. If I end up in a care home, and still have my mental faculties, I may leave a nice piece to any caregivers who were especially kind or patient with me. Either way they AIN'T goin to the government!!

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

That is interesting. I don't have children or anyone to leave my pearls and beautiful jewelry to. The only thing I can think of is having them auctioned off for a Humane Society of choice, or if I leave behind pets, leave a stipend for them so that they will be ensured good care. If I end up in a care home, and still have my mental faculties, I may leave a nice piece to any caregivers who were especially kind or patient with me. Either way they AIN'T goin to the government!!

I am so blessed to have 4 daughters and so far, 4 granddaughters...hopefully more to come. A couple of grandsons as well who will someday have girlfriends. It should be a lot of fun giving things away.
Your idea to auction them off for your animal care is awesome too! Plus blessing thoughtful caregivers.
Sometimes when I'm wearing a less-expensive piece and someone notices a pearl necklace I'm wearing, I just take it off and give it to them...the surprise factor is amazing, as is the joy felt by both of us.
We only get one life...make a GREAT one.

 

[lary007]

I desperately need a new solution to my pearl storage system. I've just been storing them in the original boxes but it's hard to keep track of what is in which box because they all look the same. I used to put labels on them but they don't stay on well. I got some great ideas here!

 

[MotherOfPearlTrumpet]

I desperately need a new solution to my pearl storage system. I've just been storing them in the original boxes but it's hard to keep track of what is in which box because they all look the same. I used to put labels on them but they don't stay on well. I got some great ideas here!

Nilecorp.com has the best price on pearl folders and they come in gray/pink/Tiffany blue/white/black. I use an Avery clear tape with black writing on my folders to tell what's inside and use pink, gray and white, based on the value of my pearls. They store flat and upright in my plastic refrigerator storage boxes that I got at Home Goods/Marshalls.

 

[Shani]

As promised, here are photos my storage system. Most pearls are stored in those simple flat pearl folders, marked with what's inside (Avery File Printer/Label printed on Clear/Black Avery File Label Tape). The pearl folders were the best price at nilecorp.com and they come in white/black/pink/gray. My cheaper or mixed bead necklaces are in the pink or gray folders. When there are matching earrings an/or an enhancer for a strand, I store those in little white cotton pouches that I make/sew out of 2" twill tape (earrings have a divider seam-see photo). That way the pearls won't get scratched and can be stored with their corresponding necklace.
My more expensive strands are stored in those lovely blue velvet center open display boxes (room for the larger South Sea pearls and more protected). Obviously don't need as many of those storage boxes. Found the best price on the blue velvet boxes on Amazon.View attachment 463361View attachment 463355View attachment 463362View attachment 463360View attachment 463358

Daaayum!! Girl! LOL! At present, I have one jewelry box dedicated to my pearls, you know, with the little separator compartments. Most have their own "compartment". Fortunately, I don't have as large a collection as you. My method allows me to see the entirety of my collection when I open the box and that way each can get some love as much as I am able.

 

[Shani]

Hilarious! Of course we buy clothing to match our pearls!!! It narrows down those racks and racks into a more manageable range of selection. Actually I really laugh because I wear expensive pearls and buy my clothing at Marshalls, TJMax and Ross. There is definitely a little disconnect there but a girl has her priorities.

Haha! I have to agree with you, there have been times where i look "bum-ish" and am wearing over 20k worth of jewelry. Fortunately, people would look at me and think that it's all fake so I be relatively safe. I don't wear such things in risky areas of course.

 

[Shani]

OK, I have one more fun "storage" idea...(Sorry, always a LONG story from me.)
Years ago, when my daughter got her first job and wanted to get me a "real" Christmas present with money she earned on her own, she asked what I wanted. I had found this really cute wall-hanging display box and I thought it would look cute with her High School pictures and some "shabby chic" décor that was really popular about 10 years ago. The styles have changed and the frame ended up in my sewing room. I often thought about how to repurpose it and recently had a brainstorm...What about a jewelry display cabinet for pearls I plan to wear "tomorrow." I store my pearls in folders in a wooden armoire and on the mornings that I am up before my husband, I'm banging around trying to figure out what matches my outfit with a flashlight in the dark. So, my idea was to make a picture frame jewelry display out of that box and put the jewelry I plan to wear "tomorrow" in it so I don't have to search for my choices in the dark (although now, it does require that I plan ahead...we'll see how well that goes).
I disassembled the old backing (cloth and Styrofoam) and purchased one of those corrugated plastic "make your own-stick in the ground" signs and cut it to the correct size. I hot glued a piece of thin dish wrapping foam to the front to provide cushion and wrapped that around the sides. Then I found a piece of lovely fabric left over from making drapes for my daughter's house, which was a nice compliment to both the frame and my bedroom paint color. The last part was the most difficult, finding T-Pulls (cabinet) that would compliment the box style and wouldn't scratch my pearls. Fortunately I found some at Home Depot. I also had to purchase 1/2" screws because the frame's backing was much thinner than the included bolt would accommodate!
The end result turned out so great! I love it, and now both my husband and I can enjoy my "pearls behind glass." Mostly, however, I'm glad to have repurposed this precious gift from my daughter. She loves the jewelry display too (and now wants one just like it for her apartment). My earrings and rings fit nicely on the frame's base shelf below the pearls.
View attachment 464230

That is a great idea. I just usually drop what I am going to wear the night before in a clam shell in the washroom lol! I like your idea much better!

 

[Shani]

Changing show monthly….View attachment 465915View attachment 465916

Obviously you do not have cats....

 

[Shani]

As my pearl collection has grown and now inheriting some of my mother's more valuable pieces, I find myself a little uneasy leaving the house in the morning...we all know that a break-in is always possible and no matter how many cameras and alarms you may have, thieves wear hoodies, keep their heads down, and police arrive after the event is over. So, I made the decision to purchase a shelved safe for our master closet and will have it bolted to the floor. A pushbutton combination will allow me to continue with easy access to my collection, but deter, or at least, slow down, any potential theft. I found a company that customizes the handle/color/access door open direction (we needed a left hand open for the location that worked best)/and had many different sizes available. I'll drive away to work or leave on vacation with a bit more peace of mind once it arrives. If you would like the name of the company I used, I'd love to send them some more business. You can message me with the "envelope above." They were absolutely fantastic to work with and the price was very reasonable. More and more houses are being outfitted with permanent safes in the master closet for this purpose as well as for firearms.
No guns for me, just pearls!

That is smart. Unfortunately I live in a rental unit. Now that mom's jewelry has passed to me, I really should bump up the content insurance...it's just too depressing to wade through all of her things at present.