Choosing a jewellery box you will not regret

A jewellery box is one of those things you buy once every few years and use every day. It is worth a moment of thought rather than grabbing the first one you see.

Size matters more than you would think

The most common mistake is buying one that is too small. Earrings and rings take up less room than we imagine, but chains and bracelets need space so they do not tangle. A box with 12 centimetre sides holds an everyday set plus a few pieces you keep for occasions.

The material — why polymer gypsum

Wood moves as humidity changes, and plastic looks tired within a year. Polymer gypsum is hard, does not take up moisture, and has a matte surface that will not scratch metal. It also weighs enough that the box stays put on the chest of drawers when you open it.

The lid: close-fitting or loose

A loose lid is easier day to day; a close-fitting one keeps the dust out. If the box sits out in the open, choose the close-fitting kind — dust on jewellery is the main reason people stop wearing it.

As a gift

A jewellery box works well as a present because it is personal without being presumptuous. It is worth matching it to what the person actually wears — a set of fine chains needs something different from a collection of rings.