Is a safe-deposit box a good place for pearls?

Not for long-term storage. The air is very dry and pearls contain water, so years in a vault can dull or craze them.

Can I put jewelry through airport security?

Yes, X-ray scanners do not harm metal or gemstones. Keep the pieces in a tray you can see rather than loose in a bin.

Do you provide a valuation for insurance?

We provide a detailed valuation and authenticity report prepared by our in-house gemologist. Check with your own insurer which form of documentation they require.

How-to & tools

How to store and travel with vintage jewelry

Separate, soft, dry and always in your hand luggage.

Written by our in-house jewelry team · Updated August 1, 2026 · 6 min read

Leather jewelry travel roll with soft pouches, a gold chain and rings — How to store and travel with vintage jewelry

In short

Store pieces separately in soft pouches or a lined box, away from light, heat and damp, with silver kept in anti-tarnish cloth and pearls kept somewhere with normal humidity. When you travel, keep jewelry in your carry-on, use a roll with individual pockets, photograph everything before you leave, and check that your insurance covers pieces away from home.

Most scratches on antique jewelry happen in the box, not on the hand. Diamond is far harder than gold, so one loose ring in a drawer will mark everything it touches.

Shop the pieces: Everyday vintage fine jewelry, curated and available now.

Storing at home

Give every piece its own pouch or its own lined compartment. Hang chains rather than coiling them, so they do not kink or knot, and lay heavy necklaces flat.

Keep the box out of direct sunlight and away from radiators and bathrooms. Heat and dry air are the enemies of pearls, opals and emeralds; damp is the enemy of silver, steel pins and any piece with fabric or hair.

Anti-tarnish strips or cloth for silver and silver-topped gold
No rubber bands or PVC bags, which release sulfur and blacken silver
Pearls in a soft pouch, never sealed airtight, and never in a safe-deposit box for years at a time
Store opals away from strong heat sources, which can dry and craze the stone

Traveling

Jewelry belongs in your hand luggage, always. Checked baggage is excluded from most policies and from airline liability for valuables.

A soft travel roll with individual pockets is worth more than any hard case. Wear the pieces you can, and photograph everything with a ruler in frame before you go.

Carry a copy of your valuation report or purchase invoice for high-value pieces
Check whether your policy covers worldwide travel and for how many days
Take rings off before beaches, pools and hotel gyms, and use the room safe
For pieces above your policy limit, ask your insurer about a scheduled item rider before you fly

Insurance and documentation

Every piece we sell above our high-value threshold ships with a detailed valuation and authenticity report prepared by our gemologist, describing the metal, stones, measurements and condition.

Keep that document and your invoice separately from the jewelry itself, and re-check your coverage every few years, since precious metal and antique diamond values move.

Antique gold rings with old-cut diamonds and a ruby on cream silk beside a brass ring dish — How-to & tools — from the pieces and workshop notes behind this guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is a safe-deposit box a good place for pearls?: Not for long-term storage. The air is very dry and pearls contain water, so years in a vault can dull or craze them.
Can I put jewelry through airport security?: Yes, X-ray scanners do not harm metal or gemstones. Keep the pieces in a tray you can see rather than loose in a bin.
Do you provide a valuation for insurance?: We provide a detailed valuation and authenticity report prepared by our in-house gemologist. Check with your own insurer which form of documentation they require.

Written by our estate jewelry team and reviewed by our in-house gemologist. We have been buying and selling European antique jewelry since 1973.

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