A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Floor Standing Jewelry Boxes

For most people, the words “jewelry box” creates a vision of a dresser or nightstand size storage box where both men and women keep various jewelry items like watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, broaches, and more. While this is one option, there are also floor standing jewelry boxes that have become increasingly popular and for good reason. For one thing, standing jewelry boxes are larger and thereby able to accommodate entire jewelry collections or larger pieces.

Sometimes referred to as “jewelry armoires”, floor standing jewelry boxes are simply gorgeous and therefore considered more a piece of furniture than an accessory. However, because these storage boxes do take up more space, you want to make sure the right place is chosen. As part of this, we recommend taking accurate measurements so when shopping in person or online you would know the exact size needed. Standing jewelry boxes are ideal for anyone who loves jewelry but they also make a perfect gift idea.

Jewelry boxes of one kind or another date back to ancient civilization. Initially, smaller boxes were called “jewel caskets”, which were constructed from metal and embellished with ivory, copper, silver, and even gold. Not only were the jewelry pieces stored inside valuable but the boxes themselves were of significance.

Today, most companies mass produce jewelry boxes, which results in a lack of craftsmanship, originality, and character. However, there are an increasing number of companies going back to the way things were originally done, which means incredible workmanship and beautifully handcrafted boxes that can be passed down through generations.

Standard Sizes

Floor standing jewelry boxes come in a wide range of sizes. To show the variances, we provided several examples below of actual sizes being sold today.

·        13 3/4” long x 10 1/4” wide x 40” high

·        16” long x 10 1/2” wide x 40” high

·        16 5/8” long x 10 1/2” wide x 41” high

·        17” long x 11” wide x 40” high

·        18” long x 12 1/4” wide x 42 1/2” high

·        18” long x 11 3/4” wide x 43” high

·        19” long x 13” wide x 40” high

Materials

We also want to point out that floor standing jewelry boxes come in a wide array of materials. In fact, many of the finer boxes are constructed with more than one material, which makes the item even more visually pleasing. Because there are so many options, virtually anyone can find the perfect standing jewelry box, whether for personal use or as a gift. A few examples of the more popular materials currently used include the following.

·        Bamboo

·        Birch

·        Bubinga

·        Burl Oak

·        Cherry

·        Hannah Reed

·        Mahogany

·        Rosewood

·        Teak

·        Walnut

In addition to the primary material, there are various other materials used as accents or embellishments, again with a few examples listed below.

·        Brass

·        Inlay

·        Ivory

·        Leather

·        Pewter

·        Silver

Special Features

Another aspect of floor standing jewelry boxes is the incredible features from which you can choose. The great thing is that with so many different styles and designs, you can purchase an amazing jewelry armoire with a simplistic design or one that boasts several unique features. Again, we wanted to provide a few examples of the type of features you would expect to find on a quality floor standing jewelry box.

·        Anti-Tarnish Suede Lining

·        Drawers (Compartmentalized, Hidden, Open)

·        Locking mechanisms

·        Lids

·        Mirrors

·        Necklace Swing-Outs

·        Ring Rolls

Proper Care

It is also important to understand that every wood jewelry box needs to be properly cared for, which consists of using the appropriate cleaning product, as well as a soft cotton cloth or duster. This would get the surface clean but without causing scratches.

Remember, there are differences in the way wood jewelry boxes are cared for so you want to make sure you have some knowledge of the material. For instance, Bubinga is a rare and exotic wood originating from West Africa. Although used to make musical instruments initially, artisans have discovered many additional purposes.

Another critical aspect in regard to caring for floor standing jewelry boxes made of wood is that they should never be placed directly in front of a window, especially one that allows a great deal of natural light in. In this case, sunlight can cause the wood to fade over time. In addition, wood jewelry boxes should be set away from heating sources such as a floor or wall vent. Just as with any nice piece of furniture, when floor standing jewelry boxes are exposed to heat, the wood will dry out, leading to an issue of cracking and chipping.

One last thing we want to mention has to do with indoor humidity levels. Wood is naturally hygroscopic, meaning its moisture content will fluctuate in coordination with relative humidity within the surrounding air. When humidity levels go up, wood expands whereas when humidity levels go down, wood shrinks. If you happen to live in a region of the country with a lot of humidity, the wood of the jewelry box and other wood furniture will be affected unless the indoor environment is maintained.

Conclusion

The process of buying a floor standing jewelry box is not rocket science but there are several factors you should consider. Because this is an investment, it would be important to do your homework first and then choose a storage box that matches your need. In addition, you want to make sure the storage box is cared for properly, thereby making it possible for you and future generations to enjoy its beauty and functionality.

Jewelry Travel Cases

As the ability to travel and move around has gotten easier and easier, our desire to want to take home with us has kept pace.  This is especially true for what we wear, and not only clothes, but jewelry.

Jewelrytravel cases, as you would expect, come in many shapes and size, from simple stand-alone pouches, to jewelry specific compartments in existing luggage, to cases specifically designed to carry fine jewelry.  These cases are normally constructed in durable plastics covered by leather.  This type of travel case construction is more durable than wood as well as lighter.

Designs vary from rounded handbag style jewelry travel cases to rectangular shapes, which are the most common.  All will have sturdy handles, either of brass or leather covered plastic, and a locking mechanism will be standard.

Larger travel cases will measure 13 inches by 9 inches by 7 inches, and rounded cases will be approximately 8 inches in diameter by almost 4 inches deep.

The travel jewelry  cases will have drawers, ring carriers, a mirror, and will be padded to ensure that the jewelry will not move around when the travel case is jostled.

Examples of two popular leather clad jewelry travel cases are shown below and can be found, along with many other styles and colors at www.chasingtreasure.comhttps://www.chasingtreasure.com/.

Origins of the Modern Vacation and Jewelry Travel Cases

As summertime approaches, we turn our thoughts to vacation travel.  So how did the concept of "vacation" come about.  Well, as you likely surmise, the movement from an agrarian economy to specialized industry obviously plays a huge role in the ability to "get away" while not greatly impacting your ability to create wealth by taking care of livestock or crops.

The modern concept of vacation travel is generally attributed to the "Grand Tours" taken by upper-class Europeans (who obviously had the economic means and were not required for daily work).  These travels were mainly meant to be educational:  learning various cultures, perfecting their language skills, and maintaining cultural common ground between and among the ruling elite.

The economic limitations of this kind of extensive travel was logistical:  there were few roads and limited mechanical means.  With the advent of the steam locomotive and expansion of railway systems, the ability to readily travel moved down the economic scale and by the mid-1800s, travel for recreation or tourism became common place among the upper-middle class.  And with the industrial revolution, labor shifted from the farm to plants and assembly lines, where the need for any one individual was not so crucial for production as on a family farm.  (We should not forget the legal introduction of work rules here either!)

The final piece of the puzzle for U.S. vacations is the automobile and corresponding road system (set up, by the way, by Eisenhowser's Interstate Highway System), which made cheap travel possible for almost all on the economic ladder, and contributing to several other industries, one of which is the travel case industry, and specifically for ChasingTreasure.com, the jewelry travel case.  More on that in our next blog!