How to Pack Jewelry

Protecting jewelry while moving or traveling

Jewelry can range from dainty to clunky, from costume to designer. How the pieces make you feel while wearing them is what matters most. Reflecting your sense of style after a move is only possible when you keep everything safe during transit. 

Let’s review the best way to pack jewelry so you’ll be ready to accessorize once you've settled in at the new place — because who wants to spend time untangling knots in their necklaces?

Supplies and tips for packing jewelry

Any sentimental or valuable items should be carried with you in a jewelry roll or hard travel case. Many moving companies, including U-Pack®, list antiques on their Do Not Ship Lists, which also apply to historic accessories.

Many of the supplies you already have on hand to pack your belongings for moving will work for jewelry. Consider these additional materials, depending on how many items you have:

• Bead storage container or fishing tackle box (with multiple sections)
• Buttons (large ones for securing earrings)
• Cardboard paper towel or toilet paper tubes
• Egg cartons
• Foam plates or sheets (available in craft stores)
• Pill cases
• Resealable kitchen wrap
• Straws
• Tissue paper (white to avoid discoloring items)
• Travel jewelry box

Try the tips below to prepare jewelry for travel and check out the video for demonstrations. 

Bracelets and watches

Chain bracelets that may become tangled can be placed in separate compartments of a bead storage container or a pill case. You can also thread the chains through part of a straw and fasten each one before rolling the pieces in paper.

Bangle or chunky beaded bracelets are best wrapped individually in Bubble Wrap® or tissue paper. 

Watches travel best in their original boxes. If you don’t have the boxes, pack the watches as you would bangle bracelets, taking care to protect the faces from scratches.

Earrings

Keep earrings together by hooking each pair through a large button or secure several sets through a foam plate or craft sheet (tape the back with packing tape). Wrap the pieces in Bubble Wrap or tissue paper.

You can also separate earrings into compartments of a bead storage container or a pill case.

Necklaces

To avoid knots, thread each necklace through a straw (use cardboard tubes for chunky beads) and fasten the ends. Wrap each one in tissue paper to prevent tangles.

You can also place chains into a zip-top bag, securing the clasp on the outside of the seal. Another neat trick is to use resealable kitchen wrap to separate jewelry pieces. 

Rings

If you don’t have the original boxes, rings travel well inside bead storage containers or pill cases. You could also use repurposed egg cartons to keep the rings from rubbing against each other in transit. Carry silicone rings in zip-top bags or use a carabiner to keep them together.

Safely shipping jewelry

Once you have your jewelry pieces prepared, you’ll want to properly pack them for shipping. Place your jewelry and accessory bundles in a small moving box lined with crushed packing paper for the best protection.

If you’re packing a small jewelry box, you can secure the packaged jewelry inside. Fill any gaps with tissue paper, then use packing paper and plastic stretch wrap to prevent the drawers from opening during transit. Place it in an appropriately-sized moving box lined with crushed packing paper. 

Use packing tape or plastic stretch wrap to prevent any bead storage containers or tackle boxes from opening during the move.

Have packing questions or need moving advice?

If you have questions about packing your pretty accessories or anything else on your list, let us know! The moving experts at U-Pack are here to help!

If you’re still planning your out-of-state move, don’t miss out on a free, no-obligation U-Pack quote. Request your personalized estimate by calling 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or using our online form.

Learn more about how U-Pack works.