Jewelry almost always ranks high on the list of most-cherished personal items, serving as steadfast symbols of love, commitment and beauty and reminding us of the people they represent. Whether a pricey wedding band or a family heirloom ring, these keepsakes are irreplaceable and should be protected with care. Though people often spend thousands of dollars on the ring itself, many people skimp when it comes to storage, but that’s a big no-no! In this guide, we’re covering how to store rings so their environment matches their worth, and so they stay in the rotation for years to come. Keep Your Precious Rings Precious Some rings are meant to be babied, and some are not. Consider putting your precious metal and gemstone rings in a purpose-built storage case and opt to wear silicone rings on a daily basis. Silicone is more durable, forgiving, flexible and affordable, so if anything happens to it, it’s not a huge deal. This will help preserve the life of your irreplaceable pieces and ensure that they’re still around to pass along to the next generation. The Best Way to Store Rings In a cool, dry place. Precious metals are strong, but they’re surprisingly susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures and humidity. Too much moisture in the air can cause precious metals to tarnish and rob them of their luster, so make sure to keep your storage space dry. High heat and extreme cold are never good for one-of-a-kind pieces, either, so try to keep them in a temperature-controlled environment at all times. In a safe or locking jewelry box. If you intend to store costly, irreplaceable pieces, you may want to consider looking into some tamper-proof, locking jewelry storage solutions. Precious rings should always be backed by an insurance plan, so make sure to occasionally appraise your collection and double-check to make sure they’re listed in your policy. In a jewelry pouch or felt-lined box. Scratching and surface damage are two more very important things you need to worry about when storing your high-value precious metals and jewelry with gemstones. Using soft jewelry pouches or keeping your rings in a felt-lined jewelry box will help prevent the surface of the ring from becoming damaged. In their original boxes. Rings generally come in protective boxes featuring soft cushions and scratch-proof linings to keep them safe and protected. The original ring box from the jeweler or ring designer may also help it retain some value — or at least provide some insight into where and when the ring was made — well into the future. On felt-lined jewelry cones. Ring cones are the perfect way to organize your costume jewelry, silicone rings and any of the other day-to-day jewelry pieces that you want to grab when you’re getting ready, but aren’t super concerned with keeping pristine. They’re also ideal because they put all your rings on display so you can easily decide which to wear! In their own compartment. No matter if you go the pouch route, the jewelry box route or the original box route, make sure you store any and all expensive rings in their own compartments or so they aren’t touching. When you stuff several rings in the same pouch or box, you risk them rubbing together and permanently scratching or damaging the surface. If you’re away from home, in a travel case. It’s crucial that you store your jewelry in a ring travel case while you’re away from home. Transit is an especially vulnerable time for your high-cost pieces — all that movement, packing and unpacking can cause damage and loss. Choose a soft, protective case and store it somewhere you won’t forget it. In your carry-on luggage. Although we don’t recommend traveling with expensive rings period — that’s where your silicone style comes into play — if you do need to travel with high-cost jewelry, either wear it or keep it in your carry-on or purse at all times. Rule of thumb: Never let your jewelry out of your sight when you’re away from home. Storage Is Key for Jewelry Heirlooms If you intend to pass your valuable pieces of jewelry on to the next generation, you’re going to want to take a little time to invest in some good storage. When your rings are safe and protected at home, you don’t have to worry about them losing their beauty or going missing. You can wear a silicone ring as a more durable, less fussy stand-in for your one-of-a-kind pieces.