Jewelry is the smallest category in the house and the most painful to lose. It is also the one category where the answer is not a better box but a different plan. Decide today what rides in your own bag, then make the rest tidy enough to find on the other end.
Decide what stays with you
Wedding rings, heirlooms, watches and anything you would be unhappy to replace should ride with you on moving day, in a bag that never leaves your sight. A zippered pouch inside a purse or a carry-on is enough.
Federal moving rules also encourage you to list high-value items on an inventory and to carry small valuables yourself; the FMCSA booklet explains the ground rules.
Sort the everyday pieces
Take a few minutes to separate pieces by type. Necklaces tangle, earrings separate and bracelets scratch, and each does better in its own space.
- Necklaces: thread each through a drinking straw, close the clasp, and tape the ends.
- Earrings: slide posts through a piece of card or a button, or use a pill organizer.
- Rings and watches: slip them into a soft pouch or a ring roll.
- Bracelets: roll in a washcloth and stack in a small container.
Use small containers inside a bigger box
Egg cartons, tackle boxes and compartment trays keep pieces apart. Put them in a small carton, pad the gaps with tissue, and tape the box so it cannot open in transit.
If you own a jewelry box, keep the pieces in it and wrap the box in a towel. Remove the tray lid and tape it down if it has loose drawers.
Record what you own
Take photos of the pieces and write a short list with descriptions. A list helps you check the contents on arrival and helps with insurance. See released value vs full value protection to understand how the mover's liability works, and talk to your homeowner or renter policy about jewelry.
Costume jewelry and the dressing table
Costume pieces are easier: sort them into bags and put the bags in a small carton. The rest of the dressing table, including makeup and mirrors, is covered in how to pack a bathroom and how to pack a closet.