Question From Hena S. about Storing Fine Jewelry

Since space is limited in a safety-deposit box, I need your advice on how to store fine jewelry. I don't have space for all the soft jewel boxes that pieces were purchased in, so have stored some in small plastic zip bags, some mixed together in a paper box lined at the bottom with cotton. Should I be wrapping each piece in tissue paper? What do you recommend?
Thanks,
Hena

and parts of my reply:

The problem with commercial zipper bags is that they contain Saran, which can sometimes interact with precious metals, pearls, opals and other 'soft' stones.

We have 3X5 and 4X6 inch zip bags made of archival film and also 5X7 and 9X12 archival envelopes (clear) with a reusable zip strip.  If you can give me an idea of how many you might need, I can quote you a price.  If you would like an assortment of all 4 sizes, perhaps 10 each, I can do that for $15.

The tissue is good because it acts not only as an acid barrier, it also inhibits tarnish and is a moisture buffer.

What I recommend is wrapping in tissue and then placing in the zip bag or envelope with a desiccant pack.  Alternatively, you could use just one of the 50 gram regenerable packs in the safety-deposit box to cover all of the items stored.  We have both items on the website: preservesmart.com

If you wrap in tissue, put a small note in the bag/envelope citing what the contents are so that you can find what you need without unwrapping each.

If would like the assortment of archival bags, just tell us so in the dialog box at checkout and we'll add $15 to the order and send you a new confirmation.  The shipping will remain the same.

Will be happy to answer any further questions you might have.

Oh! Donate the jewelry boxes to a charity that you support - I imagine girls will love to have them! Some of them are so pretty.