Safe deposit boxes are a great way to store your personal items and valuable belongings in a safe and secured place, giving their renters a peace of mind. Safe deposit boxes have been around for nearly 160 years and have been used by people all over the world to safeguard valuable contents.
Important documents and other belongings such as contracts, business papers, stock and bond certificates, family heirlooms, collectibles are items usually stored in the box. A safe deposit box comes in a variety of sizes which can be rented from months to years and is often kept in vaults in banks, institutions or credit unions. It is the facility’s job and priority to keep these safe deposit boxes safe and ensure protection against environmental factors and burglary.
Safe deposit boxes are generally safer than most people’s homes as they are located in a secure area that is more resistant in floods, fire, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. They also have more security than the average home when it comes to burglary.
Here are some safety features of a safe deposit facility and also extra safety measures you can undertake and follow before storing your items on a safe deposit to guarantee your items’ utmost protection.
Safety Features of a Safe Deposit Box Facility
Safe deposit facilities have numerous safety precautions that they implement to protect the safe deposit boxes of their customers. Safe deposit facilities are designed to protect and withstand environmental factors such flood, fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Safe Deposit Center, for example, is literally a vault built into the side of mountain. Safety deposit facilities protect your valuables with secured box containers, advanced alarm systems, high-security locks, steel-barred concrete walls, video cameras, or a 24/7 security presence, just to name a few.
Most facilities give you a key to access your box and another key to be held by an employee. To be able to access the box, they require that both keys must be used to be able to open the box. For a facility which has a keyless system, you will have to scan your finger or your hand to gain access to the box. Customers are required to provide an identification and your key to access the safe deposit box.
You can opt to choose to lease a safe deposit box individually or have a co-lessor that would have equal access and rights to the box. Anyone who will be accessing the box on your behalf would only be accepted if the box owner approved that person in advance and must fill paperwork for that person to gain access on behalf of the owner.
Most safe deposit facilities have strict procedures for allowing access to a safe deposit box, and most facilities require customers detailed information before you can even rent a safe deposit box. At Safe Deposit Center, we allow you to remain as anonymous as you wish to be.
Safety Measure Guidelines
Despite the numerous safety features of a safe deposit facility, there are additional security measures you may take to further safeguard your items while in storage. Here are some tips and guidelines you can do when storing your items on a safe deposit box.
Add Password Protection to Flash Drives
Before storing your flash drives with important data, you should add password protection. Also consider having a backup file on another flash drive and store it in a different place than your safe deposit box.
Insure the Contents
One of the important things to consider and do is to insure all of the items that you will be storing in your safe deposit box. The contents you store inside a safety deposit box is not insured by the government or the bank, unless stated on the bank contract and agreement.
It is the responsibility of the owner to insure their own items and contents stored in a safe deposit box and keep accurate inventory of the items stored. Get your own insurance coverage from your homeowner’s insurance or other private insurance companies.
Keep a Back-up Option
Copy, scan and keep multiple copies of important documents you want to store in your safe deposit box. Keep your items safe by having a copy and doing an inventory list of all items that you will be storing. Have pictures and appraisal of all your personal and valuable properties to be stored.
Examine the Facility
Before deciding on which bank or safe deposit facility you will rent a safe deposit box with, do your research on the company, understand their policies, coverage limits and contract before deciding to store with them.
Ask questions and talk to the facility manager about their safety measures. Take a tour of the facility to get a feel on how safe and secure the place is and check if the safe deposit boxes are located in a secure area of the facility.
Check Your State Laws
Some state laws allow the bank or the safe deposit facility to drill and open the box and take the contents that have been delinquent for a specific period of time. Make sure to always be up to date with your rental dues and term period to avoid these instances. Check your safe deposit box at least once a year and keep a photograph of its contents.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
With a beautiful view of Lake Washington, the city of Bellevue has quite a number of fine art galleries for art aficionados, enthusiasts and the like. The city’s underrated art scene appeals to lovers of the arts with its diverse and captivating cultural art scene.
Galleries in and around Bellevue have exquisite and diverse fine art exhibitions that can appeal to all sorts of different tastes. Indeed, Bellevue and nearby cities are great destinations for art.
Get inspired and wander along 11 must-visit galleries in and around Bellevue, Washington; see exhibits from local, national and international artists. In addition to viewing the beautiful art in these galleries, you can attend events, shows and even join some art activities happening in the area. There’s a lot of art in Bellevue for you to explore and enjoy.
One of the hidden architectural gems in Bellevue, designed by the architect Steven Hall, the Bellevue Arts Museum showcases diverse, compelling and powerful pieces. Curating interesting and engaging displays with a varied selection of artwork, the exhibits at rotate and change quite often.
A clean and bright space, with wonderful and fascinating installations, the Bellevue Arts Museum is a must see for both visitors and locals. Enjoy free admission every first Friday of the month.
Located on the first level of Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Vue Art Gallery boasts contemporary art works with artists like David Gerstein and Romero Britto. With their colorful, creative and eye-catching works of art, this is a definite must-see gallery in the city of Bellevue.
Right in the heart of Bellevue, the Hall Spassov Gallery was founded by Erik Hall and Amy Spassov in the year 2006. Their exhibition changes monthly with works from international, national and regional artists. This is a great destination for fine arts in the city of Bellevue.
The Legacy LTD is a gallery in Bellevue that exhibits Northwest Coast Indian and Alaskan Native Art and Prints. There is a wonderful assortment of quality art like prints and paintings, masks, historical and contemporary objects and musical instruments. The gallery is available by appointment only so give them a call before you head over there.
A by-appointment photography gallery established by Robert Rotella in 2012, The Rotella Gallery in Bellevue features limited edition and collectible works. Robert Rotella’s photography portrays stunning landscapes, abstract and macro flower photography.
Established in 2016 by Jason Matias, the works of art in this Bellevue gallery make a statement. Creative and inspiring fine art, his photographs are breathtaking with vibrant and bold expression. The quality and art of each one of his pieces is captivating.
Jason’s fine art photography which specializes in landscape and nude photography, are intriguing, sensual and stunning. Make an appointment with Jason Matias to see his showroom.
Located inside Bellevue College, The Gallery Space is free and open to the public on most days that Bellevue College is in session. Their exhibits change monthly throughout the academic year and feature art from different artists. There is a specific schedule for the gallery, so be sure to check their website before visiting.
A stunning gallery space with beautiful curated art from established and emerging artists from around the world, NYB Fine Art Gallery exhibits contemporary and modern art pieces from notable artists such as Sun K. Kwak and Dongi Lee.
There are new exhibitions taking place at NYB every 3 to 4 months featuring international artists. The gallery is open to the public, and is located within Central Plaza of Carillon Point in Kirkland.
Parklane Gallery features local artists, and they also bring in art from around the world to showcase in their gallery. Parklane has a wonderful display of many art styles that are both traditional and contemporary, and includes paintings, photography, sculptures and artisan jewelry.
Parklane Gallery has a fun atmosphere with phenomenal art. They feature artists each month and host activities and events like art walks and juried shows. Parklane also hosts an annual miniature painting show – the Winter Show of Miniature and Small Works. Check out their schedule and events on their website for these fun events.
In the heart of Downtown Kirkland, Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery has artworks that are both modern and classic. They have a wonderful diverse exhibit of contemporary art, and often feature the art of Dr. Seuss, as they are the exclusive distributor in Washington state.
Gunnar Nordstrom’s exhibits rotate monthly, so there is something new to see and observe at the gallery. They offer services for collectors like framing and design, art search service, in-home consultation and more.
Situated in the historic Peter Kirk building, Kirkland Arts Center was established in 1962 by a group of artists and citizens. Kirkland Arts Center brings art and culture to the community and visitors by hosting art classes and workshops, art exhibitions and other arts programming.
See exhibits by local artists at the The Kirkland Arts Center Gallery. The gallery is free and open to the public and showcases 5 to 6 exhibitions per year. Be sure to check out the upcoming events and exhibitions at their website.
Can’t get enough art? If you happen to find yourself in Bellevue during the summer, there is an annual Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend happening in downtown Bellevue. Be sure to check out these two art fairs which run for three days: the Bellevue Art Museum ARTSfair and the Bellevue Downtown Association 6th Street Fair.
Immerse yourself with art and culture from different artists from around the region and the country. With countless art galleries in and around Bellevue, there is definitely something for you to see and explore. There are also multiple public art displays around Bellevue for you to wander. With all these beautiful pieces of art in and around the city of Bellevue, you will surely get your art fix.
Collecting is a fun and an interesting hobby to a lot of people. It could be as simple as collecting some souvenir keychains from places you have traveled to or highly valuable basketball cards. There are so many different things to collect.
The reasons why people keep collections are almost as infinite and varied as the different types of collections one can keep. Some people collect for sentimental reasons, to preserve the past. Others collect as a hobby when they like a particular item and find it unique and attractive.
But others collect for investment. Even if just a hobby, some collections are highly valuable. These are mostly items that are rare or vintage collections. Time makes these items more valuable.
Whatever your reason for keeping a collection, the items you collect will likely take on a special meaning in your life. You’ll want to preserve these precious items, and a safety deposit box is a perfect in which to keep them. A safety deposit box helps to safely secure these valuable collections of yours.
Small collection items can easily fit in a safety deposit box, so here are some of the smallest things that you can possibly collect:
1. Stamps
With different colors, prints and designs, collecting stamps are fun and interesting. The most popular types of stamps to collect are postage stamps, with unique designs from different places all over the world.
2. Spoons
Souvenir spoons with inscriptions of cities and landmarks in Europe became popular in the mid 1800’s for American travelers. With gorgeous and intricate designs and places embellished on the spoons, these are a wonderful item to collect.
3. Thimbles
Thimbles are small and easy to collect. Some vintage thimbles and commemorative thimbles are rare and thus of high value.
4. Coins
Coin collecting is educational, exciting, and even affordable. Each coin comes with a historical mark from a time period. This makes for an interesting hobby as you will get to be more knowledgeable about the year and the notable figures at that time of each coin’s printing.
You can even buy and trade coins. From commemorative coins to rare ancient coins, these are all great to collect.
5. Paper Money
Paper money is also a popular item to collect. It is nice to collect especially old ones in different currencies, each with its historical significance. Attractive colors and designs make paper currency exciting and wonderful to collect.
6. Trading Cards
Sports trading cards like basketball and baseball are some of the most popular trading cards, and those with the signature of a famous player can be incredibly valuable. But sports cards aren’t the only trading cards – don’t forget about popular gaming cards like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering or old school favorites like Garbage Pail Kids.
7. Trading Pins
The concept of trading pins started from baseball and softball. There are a lot of different designs of pins which are made for sports teams. Pins make a perfect collection for sports enthusiasts as it captures the memento of the game and the sport.
In recent years, the popularity of trading and collecting Disney pins has exploded. With classic characters and icons, Disney pins are perfect for Disney fans at heart.
8. Sports Collection Rings
For sports fanatics, this is such a cool collection to have. Super Bowl rings, baseball rings, basketball rings, whichever sport you’re into you can likely find a ring. These attractive and striking rings are worth collecting, and with their precious and semi-precious stones are also highly valuable.
9. Jewelry
Costume jewelry aside (which makes for a fun, unique collection in its own right), jewelry can be quite an expensive collection to have and requires utmost care and security. From earrings, rings to watches, a safe deposit box is one of the safes places to store your most valuable pieces.
10. Pocket Watch
Pocket watches are small and valuable and would be good for collecting. These timeless classic designs are worth collecting as a hobby or an investment.
There are a lot of brands and types of pocket watches and the value of each varies from age, brand name and rarity. Usually, older pocket watches are more valued than their modern counterparts.
With different vintage and modern aesthetic styles, the most sought after brands are Hamilton, Waltham, Howard, Elgin, Hampden, Rolex, Ball and Patek Philippe. These pocket watch brands are trusted for quality and craftsmanship.
There are three most common types of pocket watches. The most oldest design is the open face pocket watch which doesn’t have a cover. Another type is the full hunter face pocket watch that features a metal cover. This was created to be more durable than the first since the open face pocket watch tends to break easily.
Lastly, the half hunter pocket watch has a metal case with a window in the middle. It usually has numerals around the window so it will be easier to read the time.
11. Smoking Pipes
With different shapes and designs, ranging in style throughout the decades, collecting pipes both vintage and new gives you the opportunity to build a collection with a lot of variety. The craftsmanship of the designs of these tobacco pipes are fascinating.
12. Lighters
The most popular lighters to collect are Zippos. They have a lot of different designs which makes it enjoyable to collect, and since the restrictions of the late 20th century put stricter limits on tobacco advertising, those with characters and insignias like Joe Camel can be among the most rare. A lighter’s small size makes it a great contender for safe keeping in a safety deposit box.
13. Shot Glasses
Whether you collect these shot glasses as a souvenir collection or just for fun, there’s a lot of designs and themes available.
One of the most valuable collections of shot glasses are the pre-prohibition sample glasses. These are given away to customers as a way to promote the brand during the pre-prohibition era. These shot glasses are given by liquor houses and whisky saloons to sample their merchandise. It usually has the name of the manufacturer on the glass for customers to be able to distinguish the brand.
Another valuable collection are the commemorative sets such as the Coca-Cola glasses which were made every year to celebrate Christmas.
14. Casino Chips & Dice
Collecting casino chips and dice is an easy and rewarding hobby for casino enthusiasts. These colorful chips are easy to collect because they don’t take up too much space and are easy to obtain. These small items are satisfying to collect. It is easy to find and keep, and there are so many colors and types to choose from.
Casino dice usually comes in pairs with matching serial numbers. Dice that are used and played in a particular casino that the collector likes are also sought after.
Some people collect casino chips by denomination, others collect chips from different casinos. Chips from the glamorous casino era after World War 2 in Las Vegas and Atlantic City are highly sought after by collectors.
Old casinos that have closed like Dunes in Las Vegas and Playboy Club in Atlantic City are also very appealing to collectors. Vintage chips with high denomination that are won and bought from the casino are also valuable.
15. Pocket Knives
Take your pick at pocket knives from antique ones to modern classics. Some are rare collectible knives with beautifully, intricate designs.
One of the most collected brands of pocket knife is the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. They manufacture high quality traditional pocket knives. Case often releases limited edition knives of a certain quantity which is a great collection for knife enthusiasts and collectors.
They also team up and collaborate with different brands and notable names like Ford, Harley-Davidson, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and many more for an exclusive knife design. Another great collection from Case is their first production run which has a numbered stamp to specify that it was part of their first manufactured batch.
16. Cross Pendants
Collecting vintage and beautifully made crosses is a specific subset of jewelry collecting enthusiasts. You can find so many different designs which are appealing to one’s eye. It is also easy to collect as it doesn’t take up much space and is both charming and compact.
Collectors usually look for gold crosses in white or yellow gold, a beautiful addition to their jewelry collection. Rare, antique and vintage cross pendants are also a sought after cross pendant collectible.
17. Compass
Compasses have been used as a navigation tool in the past and a good item to collect. The oldest and most common type are magnetic compasses. Earliest compasses used Lodestone, a particular type of the mineral magnetite which is a natural magnet that attracts iron.
Later on, this was used together with a steel needle for it to align in a north-south direction. Over the years, there have been plenty of technical improvements in regards to the magnetic compass.
Compasses continue to be an essential instrument and a source of interest to many people. These vintage navigational tools are perfect for historians, nautical enthusiasts or anyone that adores these gorgeous and elegant looking compasses.
18. Guitar Picks
Guitar picks don’t take up much space, and have endless varieties. Guitar picks from bands and artists you love are definitely worth collecting.
Tortoiseshell was one of the first and popular materials used for the guitar pick but as it became an endangered species, this became illegal. Materials such as bone, ivory and wood were also common back at the time.
Soon after, picks made from celluloid, a type of plastic, were introduced by D’Andrea Company. One of the most expensive guitar picks right now are made of meteorites and produced by an Australian company called Starpics.
19. Bottle Caps
Bottle caps are definitely a fun item to collect. You can collect them when you travel all around and sample all these different brews and drinks.
Bottle caps are an inexpensive collection to start but some rare ones have a higher value. One of the most valuable bottle caps that has been sold is the 1940’s Pepsi Cola War Time Bottle Cap that was sold for $1,691. Prices for rare and one of a kind bottle caps can reach up to $500.
Throughout the years, there are a lot of sodas that have been introduced to the market but are no longer in production. Sodas like Orbitz, Josta, Aspen Soda, Bubble Up, Clearly Canadian have been discontinued. The bottle caps from these sodas would also be a good collection to have.
20. Lego Minifigures
From Harry Potter Lego collectible minifigures to Disney series, these are a fun and cute collection to do. There are many series and different characters of Lego minifigures to collect.
There were only 20 Lego minifigures when it first came out, all with the same face design. Now decades later, there are about 8,000 Lego minifigures characters with hundreds of different face designs.
The most expensive and rarest Lego minifigure is the 14k gold Boba Fett from the original Star Wars trilogy. There were only 2 of these that were made by Lego back in 2010.
21. Small Toys
Some vintage and collectible toys from our childhood have gained considerably in value throughout the years. Toys like Star Wars action figures and rare hot wheels cost a lot more today.
Star Wars action figures like Jawa 1977, Darth Vader 1977 and Anakin Skywalker 1985 are now collectible items that are worth a lot of money. Hot wheels cars like the 1968 Over Chrome Mustang and the 1969 Pink, Rear-Loading Beach Bomb go for as high as $100,000.
These are things that you can collect that can easily fit in a safety deposit box. Whatever items you may collect, it is always important to keep it safe and in good condition.
To learn more about getting started with some of the collections mentioned in this article, be sure to check out our collectors guides:
At Safe Deposit Center, we help people store many collections. Whether it is a collection of coins or a big artwork. We make sure that your collections are safe and secure.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
There are so many hit movies that revolve around safety deposit boxes. Action, thriller, romantic movies, you name it. There’s something interesting with movies that revolves around a safety deposit box.
It’s probably because of the mystery of the contents inside, or the challenge of breaking into one. Not an easy feat, as safety deposit boxes are designed and built to protect their contents from outside elements or intruders.
Regardless of how the story of the movie goes, safety deposit boxes are reliable and useful to keep your valuable items in a safe and secured place. People, whether movie stars or average people, use safety deposit boxes in their everyday lives to protect their valuables and important documents.
We rounded up 21 hit movies that revolve around a safety deposit box. If you haven’t seen these great movies (be aware this list contains spoilers), get your comfiest clothes on and snacks nearby and get ready to binge!
1. Casino (1995)
Ace (Robert De Niro), a gambling expert, has been given a casino to run in Las Vegas. He deposits cash into a safety deposit box and gives his lover Ginger (Sharon Stone), the only key.
2. The Bourne Identity (2002)
Suffering from amnesia, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) looks to the contents of a bank safety deposit box to get clues on his identity. Inside are passports with different names, large amounts of cash and a handgun.
3. Inside Man (2006)
The movie revolves around a bank heist which was led by Dalton (Clive Owen). As Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer), the founder of the bank, learns of the robbery, he enlists the help of Madeleine White (Jodie Foster) to protect the contents of a particular safe deposit box. The contents of the box lead to some incriminating items from Arthur’s past.
4. Total Recall (1990)
A science fiction action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie tells the story of an ordinary laborer, Douglas (Arnold), and his dreams of going to Mars. He then visits a company that plants false memories, and is later led to a safe deposit box for clues on his real identity.
5. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
A race against time to solve a murder with clues in Da Vinci Paintings leads Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) to a Swiss Bank trying to gain access to a safety deposit box to unravel more clues.
6. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) finds out that he has a huge bounty on his head and faces off with some of the deadliest killers. This brings him to retrieve his safety deposit box and collects his weapons, clothes, gold coins and passport contained inside.
7. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Mary Poppins which stars Emily Blunt returns to help the Banks’ family and Michael’s children after a personal loss. Michael and Jane went to the bank to look for the bank shares certificate on the family’s safety deposit box only to find family documents and the deed of the house.
8. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
The movie follows a group of thieves who rob a diamond shop, hide the stolen diamonds in a safe deposit box, only to double-cross each other as the movie’s plot unfolds.
9. Red 2 (2013)
A retired CIA agent, Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), tracks down a nuclear weapon with the help of his team of elite operatives. They tracked down a safety deposit box which holds information about Nightshade, a portable nuclear weapon.
10. The Do-Over (2016)
An action comedy film starring Adam Sandler and David Spade. Two old high school buddies fake their own deaths and take on new identities. They access a safe deposit box (from one of the two dead guys they stole their new identities from) to find that the box contains money and a key to a mansion.
11. The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
A love affair between Francesca (Meryl Streep) and Robert (Clint Eastwood) set in 1965. In the present, the children of the deceased Francesca, sorts through her safe deposit box discovering their late mother’s romantic affair.
12. August: Osage County (2013)
A dysfunctional family reunites after Beverly (Sam Shepard) disappears from their house. Beverly and his wife, Violet (Meryl Streep), share a joint safe deposit box which has cash and jewelry – but Violet emptied the contents of the box when Beverly disappeared.
13. A Single Man (2009)
After suffering the loss of his lover, George (Colin Firth) is unable to cope with the grief and loneliness. He empties his safe deposit box and packs up his office, intending to take his own life…
14. Triple 9 (2016)
Criminals and corrupt cops execute an impossible bank heist to retrieve a safety deposit box for a Russian mobster who blackmailed them.
15. The Pelican Brief (1993)
When Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) uncovers a conspiracy involving the death of two Supreme Court Justices, she is attacked. Meanwhile, Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), a political reporter, was contacted by an informant regarding the assassinations. When the informant is killed, both Darby and Gray visit his widow who gives them a key to a safe deposit box. Inside are documents and a videotape of evidence of the person who ordered the assassination.
16. The Photograph (2020)
A romantic drama film about Mae (Issa Rae), an estranged daughter of a known photographer who died unexpectedly, who finds a photograph in a safety deposit box. She delves into her mother’s early life and falls in love with a journalist.
17. My One and Only (2009)
Anne (Renée Zellweger) leaves her husband, collects her belongings and empties their safe deposit box. She and her two sons, George (Logan Lerman) and Robbie (Mark Rendall) go on a road trip across America to find a better life.
18. Widows (2018)
When Harry (Liam Neeson) and his gang of criminals die during a police standoff after stealing from a crime boss, their four widows are left with a huge debt. Veronica (Viola Davis), Harry’s wife, was given a key to a safe deposit box which contains a notebook that has a detailed plan of a $5 million robbery.
19. Munich (2005)
Following the aftermath of the massacre at the Munich Olympics, a team of five men went on a hunt to find and kill the terrorists responsible for the murders. Headed by Avner (Eric Bana), the mission was funded through U.S. cash deposited in several safe deposit boxes, which Avner has the only access to.
20. Sexy Beast (2000)
Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) recruits a retired gangster, Gal (Ray Winstone) for one last bank heist raiding safe deposit boxes.
21. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
A film starring Jodie Foster as Rynn Jacobs, a young girl who lives alone in a house in Wells Harbor, Maine. As a self reliant girl, she keeps her money to pay for things in a safe deposit box.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
You may be a basketball fanatic or just an avid collector, but if you are reading this, there’s a high chance that you are both. Some collectors simply like to bring items together to complete a set, while others aim at collecting items that are valuable. This is especially true if the purpose of collecting is largely based on investment. If investment is the aim of your basketball memorabilia collection, you will need to determine which items are valuable and which ones are not. Here are some tips to consider when making that determination.
Do Various Background Checks
It can be hard to know if an item is valuable just by looking at it. So it’s best to do some research on which items are currently valuable in the basketball memorabilia market before you start shopping. You can locate records of past auctions to see what was sold and how much they were sold for. This will give you an idea of potential income when you chose to part with your item.
You can also check hobby publications, as well as forums and chat rooms created specifically for collectors of basketball memorabilia. These sources can be valuable when you have already spotted a potential item to add to your collection.
Try to find out as many physical characteristics as you can, as well as information on the general cost across the globe, and any information that is available about possible fakes. A reputable online memorabilia price guide could also prove helpful. It’s fast and easy, but generally requires a subscription.
You can also check online auction websites and marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, Craiglist, etc. These places are bound to have a few fakes, but also a few authentic ones. You can use the opportunity to see the prices quoted as well as what other buyers have to say about that particular seller. It is a good way to see if the market is already saturated with the item you are interested in which may affect its resale value and timeframe.
Learn How to Spot a Fake
Naturally, wherever there is a lucrative business venture, there will also be fraud and fakes. There is always someone who wants to be in on the money without putting in all the work. Doing your research is key to avoiding fakes, but you need to put that research to good use.
In doing your research, you will find that some athletes are affiliated with specific retailers and would not autograph an item from another company. So it’s safe to say that if the athlete and retailer do not align on your potential collectible, you need to take your sleuthing skills to the next level.
Remember that sports memorabilia is a lucrative business for the athletes as well and as such their signatures are very valuable. If you know how much they charge to sign an item, that will at least give you a base price for the item. If the item is being sold for less than the price of the signature, you should probably keep looking.
Purchase From Reputable Dealers
It goes without saying that you should only purchase your items from reputable dealers. If you are unsure of how to find a reputable dealer in your area, you could go back to the online forum or chat room to get some ideas on where to go and who to trust. These forums are usually filled with serious collectors, who can quickly weed out a fake and give productive advice.
A reputable dealer is one that is open about their processes. They would generally let you know how their items are authenticated. Some dealers will provide you with an affidavit that is notarized and signed by the athlete that the memorabilia is associated with. Some will also be signed by a company representative. The affidavit would ideally include the date it was signed, where it was signed, and details about the item itself so that it cannot be misrepresented with another item.
A reputable dealer would also check the condition of the item and the signature before outfitting with some form of tamper-proof security measure to maintain its validity.
Get the item Authenticated
While it is ideal to purchase from a reputable dealer, the truth is some treasures are found in unexpected places. You could find a basketball memorabilia gem at someone’s yard sale, or even a flea market. If you can, express your interest in the item and send a picture to your support group to get their opinion on its possible resale value before purchasing.
If you are unable to get any assistance in that moment, you should try to find a balance between what you are willing to spend and the potential loss of a valuable item. If you are not able to tell right away if it will be valuable, try to not spend more than you think you could sell it back for. If the seller knows the type of item they have for sale and tries to convince you that it is authentic and valuable, let them know that you will get it appraised and try to get a money-back guarantee in case it turns out to be fake.
Whenever you acquire a new item that didn’t come directly from the dealer, you should get it authenticated by an independent authenticator such as James Spence Authentication (JSA) or the Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA). That is of course if it wasn’t already accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Memorabilia Evaluation and Research Services (MEARS).
The Art of Resale
When you have a basketball memorabilia that has been authenticated and valued, that doesn’t automatically mean that you will now be able to sell it for the price it was valued at. The fact is the buyer also plays a part in how well the transaction goes.
For instance, if you are selling to a dealer, they would actually not be looking to pay the full book value or even close to it. On the other hand, if you were selling to a collector, they would most likely be more willing to pay the full book value, or close enough. This is especially true if they need it to complete a set and also if it’s not easy to find locally.
If you sell it online, it could go either way depending on the rarity of the item. Most buyers in online markets are looking to get a deal below book value, and if you have online competition you may need to adjust your price or be content with holding out for a while before making the sale.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
The word “safe” can be defined as a risk-free state, a danger-free zone, or a state or area in which there is minimal to no chance of damage or harm. Therefore, a “safe,” which is a secured container used for the purpose of storing important items, is aimed at keeping those items risk-free and away from damage.
A home safe is generally a small metal box with heavy-duty side panels and an equally secured door. The door usually has a number pad or dial knob to allow the owner to set a passcode for security.
A safe deposit box, on the other hand, is generally a small container kept securely in the confines of a bank or a private vault. This box generally has two keys where the owner keeps one and the bank keeps the other. Both keys are needed simultaneously to open the box at any given time. More sophisticated boxes may have biometrics such as fingerprints or other scans, but it still often requires two people to access it. At a private facility like Safe Deposit Center, only the box renter has keys.
Some people prefer to keep their valuables closer to home so they choose to use a home safe, while others find that a bank or private facility is more secure, so they use a safe deposit box instead. There are pros and cons for each, but ultimately, a safe deposit box is a no-brainer if you are seeking security and piece of mind for your valuables.
The Pros of Home Safes
Mobility
Home safes are usually relatively small, which means that if the owner needs to move to a new home, they can just pick it up and go. Some homeowners will build it into the wall, but it’s still generally pretty easy and convenient to move a safe.
Quick Access
This probably is the biggest advantage of a home safe. It’s right there and easily accessible in the event of an emergency. It takes minutes to open it and retrieve your items to be on your way. This is often ideal for passports, medical records, medical insurance, and other similar items.
Flexibility
When your safe is stored in your home, there is no one to put limitations on what you can and cannot keep in your safe. In short, as long as it fits, you can store it in your safe without regard for anyone else’s opinions and suggestions.
Grouped Insurance
If your home and its contents are insured, it would most likely cover the contents of your safe as well — as long as they are declared in the home’s contents. There would be no need to get it insured separately, unless the items within are extremely valuable.
The Cons of Home Safes
Lack of Security
The safe may seem like a secure option for your valuables. But, a home safe isn’t always as secure as it seems. For instance, a smaller-sized safe could be targeted by burglars.
Lack of Durability
There are nature’s elements to consider that may affect your home safe. While the vast majority of safes on the market are water- and fire-resistant, they are not fully water- or fire-proof. This means that in the case of a flood or fire, the risk of some or all of your items becoming damaged is still pretty high. Also, the level of durability will mostly come down to the quality of the safe, with some higher-end safes costing thousands of dollars.
No Legal Protection
Unless you have left the code or combination to access the safe with someone you trust, the safe could be inaccessible if you pass away. If you keep items you want to pass on to beneficiaries, it would be difficult. There would be no legal ground to make a claim for its contents.
The Cons of Safe Deposit Boxes
Proximity
The main con of having a safe deposit box is not having it in your home to access instantly at any time should the need arise. Many private safety deposit box rental facilities offer amenities to compensate, such as extended access hours.
Recurring Cost
Safe deposit boxes usually incur a monthly or an annual fee, as opposed to an in-home safe that you pay for once and is yours for as long as you choose to keep it. These fees are relatively low, and depending on the length of time you need to rent a box, may end up costing less than purchasing a home safe.
The Pros of Safe Deposit Boxes
Consistency in Quality
One of the great things about safe deposit boxes is their consistency. Financial institutions and private vaults invest in durable boxes that are waterproof and fireproof, standing a greater chance of surviving a natural disaster than if it was at your home.
Insurance and Confidentiality
While it is true that the contents of your safe-deposit boxes are not automatically covered by your deposit insurance, it makes it so much easier to insure the box itself based specifically on its contents. This means that if you have an extremely valuable item such as parts of a collection or family heirloom, you can guarantee its security with the Safe Deposit Box Insurance Company (SDBIC) without needing to disclose your items.
Safe Deposit Center doesn’t report contents of the boxes to any government agency, and you can even safely store firearms. If you try to include the items of your home safe in your homeowner’s insurance, you will need to declare those items in order to get them covered. So if coverage and privacy are what you are looking for, a safe deposit box is the better option.
Security
Banks and other financial institutions do experience disasters and robberies, but when they occur, commercial insurance covers losses. Banks and private vaults are automatically fitted with security measures that do not require you to make additional payments. This is opposed to your home where you would need to pay for home security to ensure that your home safe and/or its contents are not stolen, and insurance to cover your losses in such an event.
It doesn’t have to be either/or: having a home safe doesn’t preclude one from renting a safe deposit box. However, if the items that you plan to store in a safe are highly valuable, either with monetary or sentimental value, you should consider the most secure option.
You may save money by not selecting a safe deposit box, but then you would still need to pay to beef up your home security which could be more costly. If you want to store items that you will need to access frequently, then a home safe could suffice. If you are looking for long-term storage of valuable items and documents, a safe deposit box is the preferred way to go.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
As your parents become older, their physical health may gradually start to decline, and that in itself may become your responsibility to manage. However, their mental health may prove even more tricky to deal with especially when you have to take over their finances. With the degradation of mental health, your parents may begin to forget which bills to pay and how much, or even think that they have already done it.
Additionally, they may become more vulnerable to unscrupulous people who are trying to scam them or steal their identity. One of the challenges you may encounter with attempting to take over your parents finances is denial. Most seniors may resist admitting that they are no longer capable of taking care of things the way they used to, and as such, they may be hesitant to hand over the reins in an attempt to maintain their independence.
Here are a few tips you can use to help the transitioning process, both from a legal and moral standpoint.
1. Know When It’s Time To Take Over
Depending on your relationship with your parents, the “right time” may vary. However, it’s always best to try to get ahead of the situation before it even develops. While your parents are still mentally and physically healthy, it’s good practice to have a conversation with them about their financial processes and plans.
If your parents do not live with you, it may be hard to detect a decline in their mental state, but you can look for signs. Check-in on their purchase history from time to time and occasionally check how often they go to the bank. Unusual purchases or frequent bank trips could mean that they are forgetting things or is possibly being the victim of a scam. Also, check-in on important bills that could have serious consequences if they are not paid on time. This would include insurance policies, mortgages, etc. If your parents are starting to forget to make these payments, it is a sign that your aid may be needed.
2. Have the Conversation
Even when you know that its time to step in, it may still be difficult to have a conversation with your parents regarding their finances. This is especially difficult if you are not very close or they are very private. However, it is best to speak to them while they can still rationalize the process and see the benefit of the decision. This would allow them to hand over information and documents willingly which would be simpler than having to get a forced Power of Attorney.
Once you have had that conversation, or several regarding the topic, you will be able to determine what your next steps will have to be. Other things to talk about are future plans regarding their assets and living arrangements. Would it be feasible to stay in their home or an assisted facility? If they choose to stay home, can a live-in professional caregiver be afforded? You should try to delicately talk about their options so that you know what to do when the time comes.
3. Power of Attorney
Sometimes your parents would have already had a power of attorney which may be a friend or another family member. If there isn’t one already in place, you can consider having one drawn up to give you legal authority to make financial decisions on your parent’s behalf. Please note that the power of attorney document can have limitations based on the rights outlined in the document. It can also be revoked by your parents at any time. If not revoked, it will stay in effect until your parents pass away. Another thing to keep in mind is that even though you may now have access to all their finances or have a Power of Attorney, the money still belongs to your parents. Therefore, you should try to involve them in the financial decisions as much as possible.
4. Know Where the Financial Records Are Stored
Some senior are trusting of banks, while others do not trust them at all. Find out where your senior parents store their important documents and access cards. Ask for passcodes, passwords, and keys to safes and safety deposit boxes. Even if they don’t choose to have you take over right now, knowing where these items are will put you in a position to step-in in case of an emergency.
You can also be added a co-signer for the safety deposit box to make it easier for you to access it without needing further documentation. Know the names of all affiliated banks and account numbers. If they still pay a mortgage, you should know which company handles their mortgage and what the payments are. If they have investments, you should have that information as well to be able to manage them and take over if something happens.
5. Make It Simpler
Now that you are aware of where everything is, it may be a good idea to make it simpler. This will be beneficial to both you and your parents, especially if they are still handling some of the finances themselves. If they have multiple bank accounts and brokers, it may be a good idea to consolidate to one or two banks only to minimize having to monitor and deal with multiple institutions. You may find it easier to combine their assets with yours to manage it more efficiently, but this should be avoided where possible as it may lead to a conflict of interest. If anything should happen and it is deemed that you contradicted your fiduciary responsibilities, there may be legal implications.
6. Gather and Organize All Bills and Expenses
Once you have access to all financial-related documents, gather and organize the bills including credit cards, utility bills, mortgage payments, car payments, and any other expenses that may be monthly or have a fixed payment increment. This way you can ensure that your parents’ income is able to cover their expenses and will be paid on time to avoid lapses, repossessions, or disconnections.
7. Medical Care and Insurance
If your senior parents receive government assistance for health care, such as Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid, you need to check that they are still eligible and will be if they should become incapacitated. Find out if you will require specific permissions or documentation in order to take over the management of their accounts.
Aside from the steps outlined above, you can still help to manage your senior parents’ finances by giving them sound advice. Inform them of ways to avoid being scammed. Inform them of ways elderly people have been scammed in the past, but not as an outright warning but more of an informative story. Let them know that if they come across any person or situation that seems even slightly suspicious, to let you double-check it for them just to be safe.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
Utilizing a safety deposit box is still the best way to store and secure your valuables. This option is actually recommended by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. This may be due to the high frequency of burglary and natural disasters that occurs to homeowners annually. Even relief agencies such a the American Red Cross and FEMA recommend safety deposit boxes.
Now that you are convinced that a safety deposit box is necessary, you may be wondering which items to store in it for safekeeping. In the following list, you will notice some items that you would have been told some years ago to not store in your safe deposit box. However, with the introduction of more streamlined safety deposit box insurance coverage terms, you can store almost anything with confidence.
Passports
This would have probably not made the list in the past, but the truth is your passport is a very important document which should be adequately secured. If you do not travel often and have other forms of ID, it would be wise to store your passport and other travel documents in a safe deposit box. You should still probably place it in a plastic bag for added protection before placing it in the box.
Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate is a very important document that is not generally needed often. Most places would allow you to send a scanned copy and present the original at a later time. You can then schedule a time to visit your safe deposit box to obtain the certificate for use.
Birth Certificate
Similar to the marriage certificate, you will most likely not need your birth certificate often. It is always good practice to have copies in your possession to quickly view or use in a business transaction. You can then present the original afterward if necessary.
Will
Deciding whether to put your will in the safe box or not can be tricky because if something happens, it may be difficult for someone to access the box to retrieve it. Even someone assigned as a power of attorney would still need to consult the courts to be granted access to your box. However, a will is still a very important and valuable document and should be secured. Therefore, it is best to store it in the safe box, ensure your lawyer as a copy, and also have a trusted cosigner attached to your box who would be able to access it in case of an emergency.
Deeds and Titles
Deeds and titles are perfect candidates for safe deposit boxes. They are extremely valuable, but rarely ever needed for representation, and are frustrating to replace. A car title, for instance, is mostly only needed if you plan to sell your vehicle and need to sign it over to the new owner, or if you plan to pass it on to another family member. In the same way, if you own real estate, you may not need to present the documents for a very long time after the transaction is complete, but all those documents must be important, otherwise you wouldn’t need to sign so many. It’s just best to keep them safe just in case you need to sell the property, or if any discrepancies arise later.
Jewelry
Jewelry is probably among the most common items stored in a safety deposit box. This is especially true if the pieces have a high resale value or is a family heirloom. Storing your high-valued jewelry in a safe deposit box is a smart choice given the rate of burglary and the fact that these pieces are generally never worn or rarely so.
Family Heirlooms
Family heirlooms can hold monetary or sentimental value. Some persons would debate on which is more important. Nonetheless, it is agreed that securing these items requires consideration and a safety deposit box is always a good option.
Collectibles
People collect items for different reasons. Some people start a collection for the purpose of investing, while others start a collection because they have true admiration for an item or sets of items. Whether it’s stamps, coins, or other similar collectibles, it is imperative that they are stored and secured safely. The American Numismatic Association recommends storing coins in safety deposit boxes as opposed to home safes, even if they have electronic security systems.
Stocks and Bonds
It is true that most certificates have gone digital, but if you happen to have paper ones that may have been passed down to you, it is best to store them in a safe box. This is especially important if you are not sure where these certificates were generated and their current value. Even if the certificate does not have a worthy conversion value, it may still be a collectible.
Legal Contracts
A contract is a legally binding document signed by two or more parties, therefore, it should be considered important. Depending on the contract, it may not be something that you need to review often, but having it in a secure place for when you do is simply logical.
Insurance Policies
Similarly to the will, it may tricky to store insurance policies in your safe deposit box. But it may still be the safest place for it. The aim is to ensure that there are easily accessible copies available and/or a trusted cosigner to access the original if necessary.
Valuable art pieces
You obviously won’t be able to store large framed art pieces in a small safety deposit box, but you could store and insure it in a risk-assessed vault, or some other storage facility that has blanket policies. This way you wouldn’t have to worry about appraisals or deductibles, but you could ensure your valuable art is secured and insured.
Mortgage documents
Mortgage documents fall in the same category as deeds and titles. They won’t be needed often, but it is still important to have them stored in a secure location for if, and when they are needed.
Precious metals
This category is separated from jewelry to only include items such a bullion and ingots made from precious metals. Whether you have been investing for a long time or just acquired your first bullion, it is naturally imperative to store and insure your investment.
Home inventory (Pictures or Videos)
A record of your home inventory can be extremely valuable for the purpose of insurance claims. This can be physical pictures or digitally stored media on a drive. Most things are stored on a cloud these days, but it couldn’t hurt to have a physical copy just in case the cloud files get corrupted, accidentally deleted, or are just inaccessible for whatever reason.
Now that you have an idea of which items to store in your safety deposit box, here are some additional tips to further improve their security. Store paper products such as documents and pictures in a plastic container or bag before inserting them in the box. This will help to protect them from water damage in the event of a flood. It is also wise to store jewelry in air-tight containers lined with a soft fabric to minimize tarnishing. Try to also keep an account of the items in your box just in case.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
Safekeeping certain items means a secured and protected environment is needed. Whether those items are important documents, jewelry or perhaps an art collection, getting a safety deposit box is a decision many people turn to when they want a peace of mind. Safe deposit boxes are available at federally insured financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, but are also offered at private facilities such as the Safe Deposit Center.
Each renter gets their own assigned box which generally has two keys. One key is given to you the box owner, and the other is secured within the financial institution. For added security, it generally takes both keys used in tandem to open the box at any given time. Some institutions have a key-less option, which usually utilizes some form of biometrics, such as fingerprint scans, for access. At Safe Deposit Center, we use biometric access.
A safety deposit box is typically used for important documents or important items that are not needed often but have a very high value. This value can be monetary, functional, or sentimental. Here are the answers to commonly asked questions when considering safety deposit box insurance.
Do I need safe deposit box insurance?
While the Safe Deposit Center doesn’t offer insurance and doesn’t require renters to carry it, insurance can be obtained through third-party firms. The Safe Deposit Center maintains a high level of security to safeguard renters’ property. Among the highlights are secure biometric access, 24/7 security monitoring with cameras throughout the facility, and private rooms where renters can review their valuables. Privacy is a paramount concern and Safe Deposit Center staff do not escort renters into the viewing rooms.
How can I be assured that my safe deposit box won’t be compromised?
The Safe Deposit Center is in business to alleviate people’s concern about storing valuable property. The reason why our renters choose us is because we offer unparalleled privacy and an assortment of units to store items of all sizes. When a renter signs up to store with us, s/he can be completely anonymous – meaning, even our staff will not be able to reach you. As a private business, we do not report our clients or their belongings – as long as they adhere to our policies – to governmental entities.
What if my stored items do not have monetary value?
While some commonly stored items aren’t worth much money, they may have importance beyond monetary value. Safekeeping things such as family heirlooms or old family photos or documents is a good idea, because you’ll be able to declutter your home or apartment while ensuring that your items remain in good shape for the next generation. Whether it’s an old hard drive with home video or tax information, or a thumb drive, keeping a backup copy in storage is wise and convenient. No more misplacing something or turning the house upside down to find something you have misplaced.
Where can I get safety deposit box insurance?
Safety deposit box insurance is quite a new and niche type of coverage. It may not have been offered commonly in the past, but it’s available. Renters would be well-served to check in with their homeowner’s insurance carrier first and do some research independently to find the best option for them.
There are insurance options that don’t require appraisal or disclosure of the stored property. At Safe Deposit Center, it’s at the heart of our policy to grant our renter’s the utmost privacy they desire. As long you’re not storing anything illegal, we do not need to know what it is or even your name. We don’t even require that you provide your contact information, and don’t keep extra keys.
Can I update the items in my safety deposit box if my insurance policy is already generated?
This will depend on the terms of your individual insurance policy. If you are unsure of how adding or removing valuables from your safety deposit box will impact your insurance premiums, it is best to contact your insurance company.
How do I know how much coverage I need?
As is common practice with any valuables you wish to cover with your homeowner’s insurance, determining your coverage limit depends on the value of the items themselves. Gather or list the items that you plan to store inside the safety deposit box, then come up with a reasonable estimate of their combined value. If some or all of the items’ value can increase over time, such as gold, silver, etc., you also should take that into consideration when determining your estimate.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
You may choose to put your jewelry in storage for different reasons. Maybe you don’t go out very often, maybe the jewelry is seasonal, or maybe it’s based on their value. The fact is, how you store your jewelry and where your store your jewelry is very dependent on the jewelry type. Some of the things you will have to consider will include metal type, storage containers, storage location, the temperature of the room, frequency of use, and cleaning opportunities.
Here are 7 tips to help with keeping your jewelry clean and maintaining its radiance during storage.
1. Jewelry Separation
This is probably the most obvious tip, yet it may also be the most common mistake people make when storing their jewelry. Before you even consider where and how you are going to store it, you should consider the material the jewelry is made of. Different metals require different storage plans, which is why throwing all your jewelry in one box is never a good idea, unless of course you have absolutely no diversity in your jewelry box and they are all the same material type.
The first simple step is to separate them by metal type. In other words, separate your silver jewelry, your gold jewelry, your stainless steel items, and also your fashion or costume jewelry. You can also choose to separate them even further based on value and frequency of wear. Value in this context mostly refers to monetary value, but sentiments can also play a part in your separation process as we go through the other steps.
2. Jewelry Style Types
You may not necessarily need to make this assessment, but it could come in handy especially if you are traveling or moving. Some types of jewelry are stored better in specific tailormade containers. For instance, a felt-lined ring box would be perfect to house rings for storage or traveling. You wouldn’t even need to separate the metal type, just ensure there is enough space between each ring in the ring mounds. These containers allow the rings to stand upright, wedged between two mounds of felt.
This limits their movements and chances of them rubbing on each other, which could cause scratching or tarnishing. This can also be true for necklaces, especially small linked chains, long chains, or chains with multiple pendants. Specific chain boxes allow them to hang separately, thus minimizing entanglement and dust collection. This allows them to maintain their cleanliness and shine for longer periods.
3. Individual Storage Containers
Depending on the amount of jewelry you have and the number of metal types, you can opt to get a separate storage container for each set. However, each storage container should be lined with soft, dry, breathable fabric. This will help to reduce grime, dullness, and corrosion. If you have a lot of jewelry, or numerous jewelry types, finding a separate storage box for each set may prove to be tedious and can be cumbersome in storage. Too may containers may lead to space issues.
Another option would be to get one large storage box, but get individual jewelry bags for each set. This way, all the jewelry can be in one major container, but still be separated as per tip 1. Please note however, that these jewelry bags should be made from- or lined with felt or another tarnish-proof material.
4. Clean Before You Store
This tip goes without saying, but a proper clean and polish will not only help to maintain the luster of your jewelry, but will also help to deter dust and grime from making a home on them. You should clean all jewelry that will be stored. Storing cleaned jewelry with dirty jewelry will only lead to a container filled with dirty jewelry when they come out of storage. It won’t be dirty in the sense that you can see dirt stuck in their crevices, or maybe you might, but they would at least start to tarnish and not look as vibrant as they once were. They can be cleaned with warm, mild, soapy water and a soft toothbrush for the little nooks and crannies. Once cleaned, they should be dried completely with a soft cloth or allowed to air dry then buffed with a soft cloth.
5. Storage Location
Where you store your jewelry will play a part in how clean it looks when it is taken out of storage. Try to avoid open areas that are prone to dust. Even the tightest locked jewelry box will allow dust to eventually pass through its seams, so a low dust area is best. You may be tempted to put your jewelry in plastic bags to minimize dust particles, but this can be tricky as it may create humidity and moisture. You would have to ensure that the jewelry are first placed in a felt-lined container that can maintain its aridity before being placed into the plastic. This will prevent moisture from getting to the jewelry even if the bag starts to sweat.
6. Temperature
Another consideration that may not have crossed your mind is temperature. High temperature leads to sweating and moisture on certain materials, which can lead to dullness and a build-up of grime on your jewelry. Avoid storing your jewelry in areas where it may be in the path of direct sunlight or a heating vent. This is important especially if long term storage is being considered. Therefore, your attic and your basement may not be your best bet. However, if any of those rooms happen to be temperature regulated, then it could be a viable option.
7. Length of Storage
Deciding how long to store your jewelry may not be within your control, but the aim is to get at the jewelry at set intervals just to give them a good buffing to maintain their luster. Also, the prospective length of storage can help in determining which container storage option would be best for your jewelry type. For instance, if your jewelry is not going to be in storage for very long, you can be a little more flexible with where and how you store them. This means that you may have more frequent opportunities to take them out and buff them between deep cleans, which will help them to remain cleaner for a longer period.
However, if your jewelry is only worn at specific times like costume jewelry you wear at Halloween or fine jewelry that you only wear to weddings and fancy dinners, you can consider a more long-term storage option. This could be a vault for your fine valuables or a storage container in your closet for your costume jewelry.
Safe Deposit Center | 12000 NE 8th Street Ste 100 Bellevue, Washington 98005 United States
If you are looking for a secure place to store your hard drives or other valuables, Safe Deposit Center can help. At Safe Deposit Center, we offer a variety of safe deposit box sizes as well as open vault storage to accommodate your secure storage needs. For more information about our secure, private storage facility please visit https://safedepositcenterwa.com/.
