Silver jewelry is one of the most valuable possessions in your home, not only because of the material value of the silver itself, but the sentimental value attached to family heirlooms that have been passed down through generations. If you want to save some space in your home, or just want a place to keep your jewelry while you are moving or working on your home, you may want to look into storing your jewelry in a self-storage unit. However, before putting your jewelry into storage, you need to make sure that it is properly prepared so that it is safe and won't become damaged:

Security

The first thing that you should look for when looking at self-storage units is how secure they are. This means looking at what types of locks can be put on individual units, if more than a single lock can be used, if the facility has guards and cameras, and so on. Finding the most secure unit possible will give you the greatest peace of mind in regards to potential theft, but keep in mind that the more security features that a storage facility and unit possesses, the higher the price tag will be.

Proper Storage

The best way to store silver jewelry is in special jewelry boxes that are lined with non-acidic felt, as these will prevent your silver from actually tarnishing. However, since it can be expensive and difficult to get enough anti-tarnish boxes for a large collection of silver jewelry, you can instead purchase acid-free tissue paper, available at most storage and jewelry stores, and then wrap your jewelry in that paper before storing it in regular bags and boxes.

Climate Control

You may also want to consider renting out a climate controlled storage unit since silver jewelry that is left in storage for an extended period of time is at great risk of becoming tarnished. Climate controlled units allow you to moderate the humidity and temperature levels, preventing fluctuations from causing discoloration to your jewelry which can ruin its appearance and value.

Cleaning

In a similar vein to the above point, you need to make sure that you properly clean your silver jewelry before you move it into a storage unit to prevent it from tarnishing. Use rubber gloves, and gently clean the entirety of the silver surface of your jewelry using a silver cleaning solution, available at most jewelry stores, and then polish it using silver polish using a lint-free rag or cloth. Avoid general purpose cleaners, such as bleach, and do not use a dishwasher or another similar machine to clean your jewelry, as this can cause tarnishing and physical damage.