One reason that jewelry is so much fun is because it is easy to collect! In fact, just about every time I travel I come home with a new piece of jewelry as a souvenir. The only problem with building a sizeable jewelry collection is that if you aren’t diligent about regularly cleaning out and organizing it, your collection can very easily get out of hand. This is where using a simple and effective organizational system like the Konmari Method is important!
The Konmari Method is a process of home simplification and organization invented by Marie Kondo, author of the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. In her book, Kondo details step by step instructions for how to minimize clutter in every category of the home: clothes, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous), and sentimental items.
Kondo’s decluttering process involves first sorting items by category, then touching every single item within each category and reflecting on whether or not that item “sparks joy.” Simply put, if the item makes you happy, it stays! If the item does not, it goes!
Inspired by the Konmari Method principles, here are five simple steps you can take to organize your jewelry:
What should you do if you are left with family heirlooms or other items that hold sentimental value but no longer bring you joy?
One of my favorite parts of the Konmari Method is that it is not just about decluttering, it is also about gratitude. For items that no longer add joy or value to your life, Kondo recommends first expressing gratitude to the items for serving their purpose, then letting them go.
Kondo suggests that the joy of a gift exists in the gift-giving moment. So even if an item was a generous or thoughtful gift, the purpose of that item had already been served at the moment when that item was gifted. There is no need to hold onto a gifted item out of guilt!
If you have gifted items in your jewelry collection that no longer bring you joy, thank them for serving their purpose then let them go.
Say thank you then pass them on! Start by asking family members if they would like to take the pieces you no longer want to keep. If there isn’t another family member (or friend) interested in your unwanted heirlooms, then there is no need to feel guilty when donating or selling them.
If your heirloom holds monetary value, consider selling to a consignment shop. For fine jewelry pieces, consider selling on an online auction marketplace like Worthy.com.
Give the items that remain the storage they deserve! Invest in pretty desktop trays or boxes to store everyday pieces. Store special occasion items carefully in drawers, on hooks, or in hanging pouches.
Invest in the proper tools like a silver polishing cloth or diamond cleaning solution to help you clean and maintain the quality of your jewelry.
With these jewelry sorting and organizational tips, you will be left with a beautiful collection that brings you lots of joy!
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