Did you receive a gift of jewelry for Valentine’s Day?  If so, then it might be a good time to organize your jewelry collection so that your new gift will have a suitable home.  All you have to do is follow the basic steps for organizing.

• Step 1 – Sort your jewelry.  Start by gathering up all of your jewelry and then putting it into categories.  Your categories will depend on what kind of jewelry you tend to wear – rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, fine jewelry and costume jewelry are just a few of the categories you might choose.
• Step 2 – Purge.  Are there items you no longer wear or that are no longer in style; are there pieces that are broken, or an earring that is missing a mate.  Keep only the things that you truly love and use.  It’s a good time to consider selling any gold you no longer want.
• Step 3 – Designate a home.  Is your jewelry located in a convenient place?  Is it easily accessible when you are ready to adorn yourself?  Is everything in one spot or do you have to search around to put together the right assortment?  Choose the best location to store your jewelry so that you have immediate and easy access when you need it.  This also makes putting it away after you wear it a lot easier.
• Step 4 – Decide on the right container.  You might choose to use a favorite jewelry box or stacking storage cases.  Hanging chunky necklaces on hooks keeps them visible and takes up less space than storing in a jewelry box.   Make decisions on whether you like to keep sets together, or if you prefer to store pieces by type.  You might choose to keep your fine jewelry separate from your costume jewelry.  Some ladies find it easier to group by color.
• Step 5 – Regular maintenance.  Use the one in, one out rule – if you acquire a new piece of jewelry, make room for it by eliminating a piece from your collection that no longer works for you.  Be sure to keep your appraisals up-to-date and in a safe location.  And don’t forget to have those special pieces cleaned to maintain their luster and brilliance!