How to Pack Jewelry for Moving: Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings, Rings

Luckily, just like modern computers, we humans are able to perform multiple tasks concurrently, as opposed to sequentially, for a given period of time. This is called multitasking and willingly or unwillingly, some people do excel at it.

But regardless of how good you are at juggling different chores at the same time, moving one’s household is known to overload people’s minds, and come moving day, you may experience some technical glitches like annoying freeze-ups, unintentional restarts, or even the infamous BSoD (Blue Screen of Death).

And yet, no matter how crazy busy you are when getting ready to move out, you should never put your precious and beloved jewelry at risk.

Jewelry pieces can be extremely delicate and exceptionally fragile, and unless you’re familiar with the best way to pack jewelry for moving, you could find some of your precious body ornaments broken beyond repair after the move.

How to pack jewelry for moving?

Just follow these practical tips for packing jewelry when moving so that your valuable pieces of jewelry never get tangled, broken, or lost. Just give your necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings a chance to reach the new place perfectly intact in order to continue to fill your heart with joy.

Sort out your jewelry

Before packing your jewelry for a move, you’ll want to make sure those pieces are sorted out so that you don’t waste any valuable time packing items that you won’t really use after the move is over. The good news is that the whole jewelry sorting process shouldn’t take too long.

All you need to do is place a large clean sheet of paper on a flat surface (yes, the floor’s fine too) and then position on it all the body ornaments you own. Arrange the pieces by type and be careful not to entangle them even before you’ve packed them safely for transport.

Go through your jewelry collection piece by piece and do your best to optimize it. Set aside any pieces that are too worn out or damaged in any way, and are too inexpensive to be worth the money to get repaired, if possible at all.

Also, set aside any pieces that you can’t see yourself wearing anymore – fashion changes and so does your personal taste.

While sorting out your jewelry pieces, you’ll notice that some of them still have great sentimental value for you. So, no matter how worn out, broken, or cheap those pieces are, you’ll want to move them with you to the new place.

The Biggest Packing Mistakes When Moving

Prepare all packing materials

Without a doubt, you’re going to need a variety of packing supplies to be able to pack your jewelry for a move, and do it quickly and safely.

Funny enough, this time you’ll also need a bit of unusual packing materials as well.

• Wrapping paper – soft, white, acid-free. DON’T use newsprint to wrap your jewelry items.
• Bubble wrap – the air-filled bubbles will do a great job protecting your delicate pieces.
• Plastic wrap – ideal for securing some of your smaller jewelry items, for example, earrings.
• Cardboard – easy to get from broken cardboard boxes.
• Drinking straws – sure, you can have your favorite cocktail once you’re done packing up your jewelry but those straws will also keep your necklaces and pendants from getting tangled during the move.
• Plastic bags – get the types of plastic bags that can seal off securely, like Ziplocs.
• Rubber bands – perfect for keeping bundled items together.
• Packing tape – ideal for securing the wrapped-up jewelry pieces from unwrapping during transit. Whatever you do, do not use packing tape directly onto the delicate surface of your ornaments for fear of leaving nasty residue stains on them and thus potentially damaging them forever.

Where to Get Free Packing Materials

Use a jewelry box

Without a doubt, the best way to pack and move jewelry to another home is to arrange the fragile items inside a quality jewelry box. The reason for this is that those boxes have been designed to protect super-delicate things – on the inside, the containers are lined with soft padding cloth while on the outside, they are made from sturdy materials such as wood or metal to provide that hard-shell protection for your easily breakable ornaments.

It’s pretty straightforward, really – just arrange the different jewelry pieces into the jewelry box by minding the separate compartments meant for the various ornaments. Whenever needed, you can use soft packing paper to provide additional padding inside or to fill any large empty spaces, thus ensuring that your valuables will not be shifting inside the container during transport.

When ready, close the jewelry box safely. You also need to keep the box itself from damage by wrapping it in bubble wrap and securing its ends with packing tape. This way, you’ll keep dust, dirt, and moisture away.

Don’t forget that you’re the one responsible for the transportation of that jewelry box, so don’t even think about handing it over to your movers, regardless of how professional and trustworthy they may look.

How to pack necklaces for moving

You may own dozens of necklaces – or just a few special pieces. Some of them may be extremely expensive (gemstone necklaces, gold pendants, etc.), others may have great sentimental value (a matinee passed down to you from your great-grandmother, a seed bead necklace made by your daughter, etc.), and some may be stylish statement pieces you love regardless of their worth.

Either way, you will, without a doubt, want to keep your necklaces safe and secure. Doing so during a house move, however, may prove to be more difficult than you think.

Necklaces tangle easily – and they can tangle so badly during transportation that it may be impossible to untangle them without damage.

So, to keep your necklaces safe when moving, you need to find a way to pack them so that they don’t get tangled – and that’s quite a challenge. In order to achieve success, you need to use appropriate packing techniques and to be extremely careful.

Read on to find out how to pack necklaces when moving so they arrive at your new home intact and tangle-free:

Step 1. Decide which of your necklaces you want to keep

As valuable as jewelry typically is, there may be no point in keeping some of your necklaces:

• Some pieces may be damaged or worn out and may not be worth repairing or restoring (or may be impossible to fix). Unless they have high sentimental value, such necklaces are not worth moving to your new home – you should get rid of the more inexpensive ones and sell pieces made of precious metals or precious stones to jewelers who can reuse the materials to make new jewelry pieces;
• You may not like some of your necklaces and may not see yourself ever wearing them. If these pieces don’t have any special meaning to you, there is no reason to keep them – you can sell them to gain some extra money for your move or give them away to friends or family members as good-bye gifts.

How to Get Rid of Unwanted Items When Moving

Step 2. Inventory your necklaces and get appropriate moving insurance

Once you’ve decided the fate of your jewelry pieces, make a detailed inventory of the necklaces you’re going to take to your new home – note down the type of the necklace, the material(s) it is made from, the manufacturer, and the market value of the piece.

Have more expensive necklaces professionally appraised and get the appraisal in writing.

Be sure to purchase appropriate insurance for your valuable jewelry – just in case.

How to Make a Moving Inventory

Step 3. Sort out your necklaces by type

Different necklaces are made of different materials and have different lengths and shapes – therefore, they require different packing solutions.

The best way to pack necklaces for moving depends on the type of the necklace, so you’re strongly advised to sort your jewelry pieces by type – necklaces of similar length and shape need similar packing methods and each material has its own packing requirements:

• Chain necklaces – Whether they’re made of precious metals (silver or gold) or stainless steel, chain necklaces consist of numerous links that can easily break during transportation. Delicate chains are also extremely prone to tangling and can even develop knots when not handled carefully enough. Thicker chains are more resistant to damage, but can still tangle badly during transportation. The best way to pack chain necklaces for moving is to thread them through drinking straws (see below for details);
• Beaded necklaces – Beaded necklaces can be made from pearls, semi-precious stones, glass beads, seed beads, etc. Smaller beads (like seed beads) are usually strung on thin threads that not only tangle easily, but can also snap under the smallest pressure. Necklaces with larger beads don’t tangle much and don’t snap so easily (the threads are stronger), but the beads themselves can be broken, scratched, or scuffed during the move. Beaded necklaces are best packed in jewelry rolls or microfiber cloths – though toilet paper rolls work just fine too (see below for details);
• Complex necklaces – Bib necklaces, lavaliere necklaces, festoon necklaces, and other elaborate necklaces are very difficult to pack because of their unique shapes and the variety of materials can be made from. They can be wrapped in cling wrap or attached to hangers, but they will still need an extra layer of protection in order to survive the move safe and sound (see below for details).

When packing your necklaces, you will be able to pack like pieces together – or, at least, in the same way – so sorting your necklaces by type will make the packing process easier and more efficient.

Step 4. Pack necklaces safely

When packing necklaces for moving, you need to find a way to keep them safe and tangle-free during the relocation. In other words, you need to provide your jewelry pieces with adequate protection and keep them separated from one another so they don’t get tangled and don’t get damaged during transportation.

Remember though that while keeping every necklace separate is of paramount importance for preventing a tangled mess, you also need to make sure that a chain doesn’t get knotted or tangled in itself either – and this makes things even more difficult.

So, how to pack necklaces without tangling? How to move them in a safe and efficient manner?

Here are several resourceful and effective packing solutions you can use to ensure that your necklaces stay in excellent condition during your next move.

Packing solution 1: Drinking straws

When wondering how to prevent necklaces from tangling during a house move, you should consider drinking straws – hard to believe as it may be, they provide the best way to keep necklace chains from tangling.

So, how to pack necklaces with straws?

It’s easy enough – all you need to do is slip the chain of a necklace through a drinking straw and clasp the ends. The hard straw will create a protective cover around the delicate chain and will keep it straight, effectively preventing it from tangling into itself or into another necklace. Consider using paper straws, bamboo straws, or other types of biodegradable drinking straws to make your move more environmentally friendly. (See also: How to move in an eco-friendly way)

If the necklace chain is so short that it can’t be clasped after being threaded through the straw, simply cut the straw to the desired length – and if the chain is very long, thread it through the straw two times, or use two straws.

Good to know: This method works very well not only for simple chain necklaces, but also for locket necklaces, pendant necklaces, and charm necklaces – just slide the pendant toward one of the clasps, so you can thread the chain through the straw. The pendant will be dangling on the outside, so be sure to wrap it in soft packing paper for protection.

Wrap each chain-threaded straw in packing paper for extra protection. Lay the straws side by side in a padded packing box of appropriate size. Cover them with bubble wrap and other cushioning materials and seal the box securely. If there is a lot of space in the box, you can cover the paper-wrapped straws with a piece of bubble wrap and pack other jewelry pieces in the same box – just make sure all items are safely wrapped in protective materials and can’t shift around the packing container during transit.

Packing solution 2: Toilet paper rolls

Drinking straws may work great but how to keep necklaces from tangling if they don’t fit into a straw? The answer is simple enough, even if a bit unconventional – with the help of toilet paper rolls.

Toilet paper rolls can be used to pack thicker chains and beaded necklaces for moving in just the same way as drinking straws – loop the necklace through the cardboard cylinder and fasten the claps. Wrap the roll in bubble wrap (don’t forget to wrap any dangling pendants in tissue paper first), then place the rolls in padded packing boxes.

Good to know: Toilet paper rolls are perfect for packing collars and chokers – they’re just the right size for these shorter necklaces and provide enough space so even pearls and other larger beads can fit in.

When packing longer necklaces, use can use paper towel rolls instead of toilet paper rolls.

Packing solution 3: Cling wrap

If you’re looking for a way to pack necklaces without straws and paper rolls but still effectively prevent them from getting tangled during the move, cling wrap is your best bet.

Here is how to pack necklaces with plastic wrap:

• Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a hard, even surface and put a clasped necklace on top. Make sure the chain of the necklace does not come in contact with itself at any point;
• Place a few more clasped necklaces of similar size and shape on the same sheet of cling wrap. Leave about 2 inches of space between every two jewelry pieces;
• Take another piece of plastic wrap (the same size as the first one) and place it on top of the necklaces (be sure to align it with the bottom sheet);
• Press firmly around each necklace to seal it in between the two layers of cling wrap. The necklaces will be completely immobile and separated from one another, so it will be impossible to get tangled during the move;
• Roll up carefully the sheet of plastic-wrapped necklaces and wrap it in bubble wrap (secure the protective wrapping with packing tape);
• Place the bubble-wrapped rolls in a padded box and seal it securely.

This packing method works great for collar necklaces, choker necklaces, lariat necklaces, and all kinds of chain necklaces (including pendant necklaces, locket necklaces, and charm necklaces, though you should leave more space between the jewelry pieces and roll the sheet more loosely – so the pendants don’t get pressed together).

Small beaded necklaces can also be packed in plastic wrap, just be sure to use the same precautions as when packing pendants.

You can use cling wrap for complex necklaces as well – provided that they don’t have large beads.

• Lay out a single necklace on a piece of plastic wrap and wrap the ends inwards – or place a second piece of plastic wrap over the first.
• Press firmly around the necklace to seal the cling wrap.
• Put the plastic-wrapped jewelry in a padded box and lay a piece of bubble wrap or a soft cloth on top of it.
• Put the next plastic-wrapped necklace over the cushioning layer and repeat the process until the box is full (be sure not to pack too many necklaces on top of one another).
• Add a final protective layer over the topmost plastic-wrapped necklace and seal the box well.

Good to know: Using plastic wrap directly on delicate materials is somewhat risky (the plastic material can trap moisture and cause damage to fine surfaces), so you may want to avoid packing your more valuable necklaces in cling wrap.

The Many Uses of Plastic Wrap for Moving

Packing solution 4: Microfiber cloths or washcloths

When it comes to packing chunky necklaces and necklaces with larger beads, cling wrap is not a good choice – it doesn’t provide any cushioning, so the risk of damage to the jewelry is higher. Textured fabric (washcloths, microfiber cloths, etc.) works better.

To pack a necklace in a cloth, just lay the fabric piece out on the table and place the clasped necklace on top. Fold the ends inwards, making sure they overlap over the jewelry. Secure the bundle with plastic wrap.

If the cloth is large, you can pack several necklaces of similar size and shape in it. Lay them on the fabric surface (leave about 2 inches of space between them) and start rolling up the cloth, making sure that the necklaces aren’t touching. Once the necklaces are safely rolled in the cloth, fold the ends together and use rubber bands on each side to secure the bundle.

The soft, textured fabric will provide excellent protection to your necklaces and will prevent them from slipping around and getting tangled during the move.

Bonus tip: You can use bubble wrap to pack larger necklaces in the same way as fabric cloths – just lay out a necklace on a sheet of bubble wrap, fold the edges inwards, and use packing tape to secure the bundle. Keep in mind though that it is not a good idea to wrap delicate items directly in bubble wrap, so this method is not recommended.

How to Use Bubble Wrap for Packing

Packing solution 5: Jewelry rolls

When asking yourself “How to pack my necklaces for moving?”, remember that professional packing methods are always safer than improvised ones – so, instead of rolling your necklaces in plastic wrap or fabric cloths, it’s best to invest in a professional jewelry roll.

Jewelry rolls are perfect for keeping necklaces safe and organized during a house move – made of soft suede, they protect the delicate jewelry pieces from scratching and other damages during the move.

What’s more, jewelry rolls come with snap straps for attaching individual necklaces and elastic bands that hold the necklaces in place and prevent them from tangling during transportation (instead of elastic bands, some models feature pockets where to slip the necklaces after attaching them to the top straps).

Generally, jewelry rolls provide the best way to move necklaces. Yet, they’re not very suitable for larger statement necklaces. 

Packing solution 6: Hangers

There is no way to thread a large necklace through a drinking straw, of course, and it is often impossible to pack statement pieces in jewelry rolls, toilet paper rolls, or even paper towel rolls. Wrapping a large necklace in plastic wrap is not recommended either, so microfiber cloths (or washcloths) seem to be the only choice.

In fact, you have another option, though it’s quite unconventional – you can use hangers to keep larger necklaces from tangling during a move.

All you have to do is attach the jewelry piece to a hanger (slip the clasped necklace over the hanger neck and attach it to the hanger sides with twist ties (or fabric ties) at enough points to anchor it in place), then wrap the entire hanger in a towel (to provide cushioning and protect the necklace from damage).

Secure the towel with plastic wrap and pack the bundles in appropriate-size moving boxes with plenty of cushioning inside.

This packing method is very effective for princess necklaces, riviѐre necklaces, graduated necklaces, bib necklaces, festoon necklaces, and other elaborate pieces that feature large pearls, stones, or any kind of large beads.

Packing solution 7: Sealable bags or containers

An easy way to keep necklaces separated from one another when packing them for moving (and, thus, prevent them from tangling with one another or scratching against one another during transportation) is to seal each piece in a separate container. You can use sealable plastic bags or sealable plastic containers – even pill cases will do for small chain necklaces (place one fastened necklace in each compartment).

This method is especially useful for small-beaded necklaces – since they’re held together only by a thin thread, it’s best to pack them in a sealed container that will prevent the beads from spilling and getting lost if the thread breaks.

Keep in mind though that a necklace – especially a chain necklace – can tangle by itself and become a knotted mess.

To prevent this from happening, be sure to wrap the necklace in tissue paper before putting it in its individual Ziploc bag or sealable plastic container (secure the wrapping paper with tape to make sure the chain won’t slip out during the move).

Pack the sealed plastic bags or containers in a small box with lots of cushioning inside.

Packing solution 8: Jewelry boxes

Still wondering how to pack necklaces for moving? Go for the most obvious choice – jewelry boxes.

Made from sturdy materials and lined with soft padding on the inside, jewelry boxes are specifically designed to protect jewelry – so, they provide a safe and convenient way to move necklaces.

Just like jewelry rolls, most jewelry boxes have straps for attaching individual necklaces, as well as specialized compartments for larger pieces, so your necklaces will stay safe and tangle-free during the relocation.

When packing your jewelry for moving, be sure to add some soft packing paper or cotton pads in the jewelry box to create additional padding and prevent your valuables from shifting during transit. Close and lock the box and wrap it in a few layers of bubble wrap to protect it from damage (secure the wrapping with packing tape).

Bonus tip: If you have very expensive necklaces, it might be best to invest in single necklace jewelry boxes – they will provide ultimate protection to your valuable pieces and will completely eliminate the risk of tangling.

Clearly, there are many resourceful and effective ways to pack necklaces for moving safely and without tangling. Some are simpler than others, some are more expensive than others, and some work well for specific types of necklaces but not for others.

So, when wondering how to pack a necklace, consider all the above methods and pick the one that makes the most sense for the type of the jewelry piece, for your budget, and for the specific circumstances in your case.

One final piece of advice: Whichever packing method you choose, never use newsprint to wrap your necklaces for moving – the ink may leave ugly stains on the delicate jewelry.

Now you know how to pack necklaces so they don’t get tangled during the relocation.

But how to move necklaces?

Just take them with you – transport them in your car (if you’re driving to your new home) or put them in your luggage (if you’re flying to your new city).

Jewelry and other valuables should not be entrusted to movers – no matter how experienced and trustworthy your chosen moving partners may be, anything can happen during the move. You’d better be safe than sorry, so keep your valuables with you.

What Items to Move Yourself

How to pack bracelets for moving

How to pack bracelets for moving?

Bracelets with chains present the biggest challenge of being safely transported to a new home. Why?

Their chains can get easily tangled with other jewelry, or into themselves, which will lead to plenty of lost time and possible irritation during the untangling process. Some more delicate pieces may even get broken, which is something that needs to be avoided at all costs.

Here are some useful tips for packing bracelets for a move:

• Drinking straws. This is a fool-proof method to prevent any chained piece of yours from getting tangled in itself. Just take a regular drinking straw (cut it if it’s too long), slip the chain through it, and clasp the ends. This way, the chain will be kept straight and will be sufficiently protected during the move.
• Toilet paper rolls. Larger bracelets have thicker chains that may not fit into drinking straws. In such cases, use empty toilet paper rolls (perfectly clean, of course) instead of straws. Yes, you’re right – it may not look too pretty but it will get the job done.
• Wrapping paper. Once you’ve taken care of the chains, it’s time to think about securing your jewelry pieces in their entirety. Wrap each piece carefully in clear soft packing paper to cushion any impact during transit. Avoid using newsprint, for your favorite decorative objects will probably get stained from the ink, and the required cleaning time aside, they may even get ruined. Alternatively, instead of wrapping paper, a roll of plastic wrap (saran wrap) will do a great job, as will patches of bubble wrap, though the latter will undoubtedly make your protected jewelry items much bulkier than you may want them to be.
• Rubber bands. Packing bracelets for moving is not that hard, is it? Having already been wrapped in protective layers of insulation material of your choice, you may choose to tie them together with elastic rubber bands so that they stay together until the new destination is reached.
• Jewelry box. And now it’s time to arrange your bracelets inside your jewelry box – if you have one. If you’ve followed the steps above, the content of your box will be well protected.
• Ziploc bags. If you don’t own a jewelry box, you’re encouraged to place your protected bracelets into sealable storage bags (Ziploc bags) for utmost protection, including against moisture.

Packing Timeline: What to Pack When for Moving

How to pack earrings for moving

Now, how to pack earrings for moving? If left without proper pre-move packing, your earrings, especially the small ones, will probably get tangled or hooked together during the move. To avoid this from happening, you’re presented with several options:

• Cardboard cards. Cut out several credit card-sized rectangular cards from a useless moving box, use a safety pin to poke a couple of holes in each one, and attach your pairs of earrings to the cardboard cut-outs. This method is especially efficient for long earrings. It’s a good idea to tape the hooks on the card backs so that the former won’t slip out while on the move. Finally, wrap it up in plastic wrap to secure the bundle, then use wrapping paper as the top layer of protection.
• Pill organizers. Smaller earrings, especially stud ones, are best stored in day-of-the-week pill cases. Wrap each individual earring into a small piece of soft wrapping paper, then place each pair in a separate slot and wrap the entire pill organizer with sufficient layers of packing paper or bubble wrap.
• Ziploc bags/Jewelry box. Once protected, arrange your earrings in your dedicated jewelry box or, if you don’t have one, place them in individual Ziploc bags so that they reach their new home safe and sound.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Professional Packers?

How to pack rings for moving

How to pack rings for moving? When it comes to packing rings for a move, there are several approaches you can take:

Use an egg carton

Using an egg carton as a transportation recipient may look a bit unusual but this unorthodox method has been proven to work every single time.

First of all, wrap each individual ring in soft wrapping paper. Then, once you make sure the egg carton is clean and sturdy, place your rings into their individual cups. Multiple rings can be stored in each compartment, as well as your favorite earrings.

When you’re done arranging your ornaments, place some packing paper or cotton on top of each cup as a padding material, and then wrap the entire carton with thin plastic wrap to keep the pieces in place.

Utilize a hard sunglasses case

If you possess such a hard case and you don’t currently need it for your sunglasses, then you have the perfect ring carrier. Just wrap each ring in wrapping paper for added protection and place it inside the case – the hard external shell will safeguard your precious jewelry.

Also, such a hard case will welcome your paper-wrapped earrings as well.

Use pill organizers

As described in detail above, a pill case will also work ideally for storing your rings – including your nine Rings of Power.

How to Pack Fragile Items for Moving

Moving your jewelry is your responsibility

Most moving companies will not agree to transport your jewelry or any other valuables you may have, and they shouldn’t either. But even if they did, would you entrust your movers with your precious jewelry? After all, their value is not defined by how well they sparkle and shine but rather by the thoughtful people and the sweet memories associated with each one.

Some of your jewelry pieces will be inexpensive, some will be much more valuable, while others, like family heirlooms – simply irreplaceable. But regardless of the monetary value, the fact that you call them your own means that all of them have a certain sentimental value to you.

So, pack your decorative objects separately from the rest of your soon-to-be-moved stuff, be sure to have them by your side at all times during the hectic moving day, and find a way to transport them safely to your new destination – preferably inside your own vehicle (if you’re driving) or inside your carry-on bag (if you’re flying).

Alternatively, if none of the above options is good enough for you, then you can ship your jewels via a courier service provider like UPS, FedEx, etc.

Packing and moving jewelry may not always go according to plan. Despite all the jewelry packing tips above, you may still find your chained pieces in knots when you reach your destination. In that case, try to untangle them with the help of a couple of pins. If you fail to do it on your own, you may have to take them to a jewelry store to be fixed.

Also, it’s a good idea to clean your jewelry sets before you finally arrange them in your new home. Pieces of sterling silver are best cleaned and polished with a soft cloth and an approved sterling silver cleaner. Make sure you don’t rub them too hard – otherwise, you may end up badly scratching up their surfaces.

Always keep the sweet memories of beloved people and favorite places by taking good care of your beautiful jewelry.