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If you’re preparing for a big move, have you thought about how to pack jewelry for moving? Your valuable collection deserves extra care and attention during the move to ensure it stays safe and intact by the time you get to your new home.
Let’s learn more about how to pack jewelry for a move.
How to Pack Jewelry and Valuables for a Move
Before you pack jewelry for a move, you should clean it. Whether you do this yourself or take everything to a jeweler, this is a crucial step. When your jewelry is properly cleaned, it is easier to gauge the conditions of your pieces accurately.
How to Pack Jewelry and Valuables for a Move
You want to ensure your jewelry is packed correctly before you move, but there are other things you can do to protect it further.
Catalog and Take Pictures
Take some time to inventory your jewelry collection, so you know exactly what you have before you move. This may seem tedious, especially when you’re just going to pack the jewelry anyway, but an inventory creates a list of everything you own in case something happens when you’re moving.
In addition to creating this catalog, take pictures of every piece from a few angles. This is also another reason to clean your jewelry — more detailed pictures! With this information, you can confirm everything makes it to your new home, provide proof of ownership, or file an insurance claim if needed.
Appraise
Many jewelry collections are a mix of expensive items and more cost-effective pieces, but they still represent a significant investment in beautiful accessories. Consider doing an appraisal of your high-value pieces, either on your own or through a jeweler, to get a better idea of the overall cost of your collection.
The appraisal is important in case anything happens while moving your jewelry.
Insure
Whether you get third-party insurance or your moving company offers it, you should always have insurance for packing and moving jewelry. Of course, if your collection has a low appraisal value, you may be able to skip this step, but in general, you should have some type of insurance coverage for your jewelry.
How to Pack Jewelry
If you’re wondering how to pack jewelry for moving, here are some tips for moving jewelry, like necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and more.
Keep Necklaces From Tangling
No one wants to open a jewelry box to find a tangle of necklaces. To prevent this from happening during a move, thread the chain through a straw or cardboard roll, then secure the clasp to ensure the necklace can’t slip out.
Use Original Storage Boxes
A safe and effective way to pack jewelry for a move is to use the original box the piece came in. These boxes were designed specifically for that type of jewelry, so they’ll hold the piece better than other options.
Reduce Movement Between Pieces
Jewelry is delicate, and when it’s all jumbled together, you risk necklaces tangling, ring settings loosening, and pieces getting damaged or broken. When packing jewelry for moving, see to it that nothing is rubbing against another piece or tumbling around in the storage box.
Carrying Case
If you don’t have the original storage boxes for your jewelry, you can get carrying cases for high-value pieces, then keep the rest of your collection in a regular jewelry box. You can buy specific cases for necklaces, rings, bracelets, and more to ensure everything is protected.
Use Foam for Earrings
Do you have an extensive collection of earrings? To keep them matched up, stick them through a thin piece of foam or small buttons, then tape the backs, so the earrings don’t move or come apart.
Other Valuables to Pack With Care
Jewelry isn’t the only thing you need to protect and move with care. Here are a few other items you should pack carefully to ensure they aren’t damaged or misplaced.
Documents and Records
An essential part of a moving checklist is getting all your important documents and records together in one place. These include:
- Birth certificates
- Social Security cards
- Passports
- Bank statements
- Tax records
- Wills
- Stocks
- And more
Keep these items in your vehicle instead of the moving truck to prevent them from getting damaged or misplaced.
Cash and Credit Cards
For any cash or credit cards you have in the home, collect them in one place and keep them with your personal items during your move.
Prescription Medication
Any prescriptions you are currently taking should be in your “first night” bag so you won’t have to search for them after a long day of moving. For all other medications, ensure all lids are tight and the bottles are correctly labeled.
Technology
Cellphones, laptops, and necessary chargers should all be kept together during the move. Make sure you know where they are and can easily access them before, during, or after moving day.
Transporting Jewelry and Valuables Safely
Now that you know how to pack jewelry for moving, how will you get it to your new home? There are a few options.
Keep It With You
If you are concerned about your jewelry and valuables during a move, you should keep them with you instead of putting them in the moving truck.
Ship It
For long-distance moves, you may want to consider shipping your jewelry ahead of time. If you want to use this option, you should choose registered mail with the following precautions:
Buying package insurance
Requiring a signature upon delivery
Getting a return receipt with your shipment
Limiting the value of the package (less than $25,000) by splitting the shipment up into a few pieces
Waiting to send the package until you’re close to moving day, so it doesn’t get there before you
Armored Transportation
For extensive, high-value collections, you may want to consider armored transportation for moving jewelry. You’ll need to go through a third-party company for this option, and you can arrange for home delivery or have them hold your package at a local facility until you come to get it.
Safe-Deposit Box
If you are moving locally, it might be beneficial to pack your jewelry and take it to a safe deposit box until everything is settled. This is a great way to give you peace of mind on what to do with jewelry when moving if you don’t want to keep it with you at all times.
Professional Movers
A professional and reputable moving company is also an option for moving jewelry. If you choose this option, make sure the company has experience moving high-value collections and offers insurance to cover your valuables during the process.
The team at White Glove Moving has extensive experience in packing jewelry for moving and getting it safely to its new destination. We also offer a full range of comprehensive moving services to make it easier and smoother to move into your new home. Contact our team to learn more or start a moving plan.