Jewelry has a way of holding sentimental value and can be an integral part of our personal style. However, over time, our jewelry collection can become cluttered with pieces we no longer wear or need. If you find yourself struggling to manage your jewelry and want to declutter your collection, this blog post is for you. In this guide, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process for how to declutter jewelry, allowing you to cherish your favorite pieces and keep your collection organized and sparkling.
Welcome to the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series! We will be starting decluttering specific tasks. Each day is dedicated to spending only 30 minutes decluttering your specific daily task. We will be working 5 days a week, so you can take 2 days to enjoy time with your loved ones.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can find that here.
Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.
How to Declutter Jewelry: A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing Your Sparkling Collection
- Assess Your Jewelry Collection: Before diving into the decluttering process, take a close look at your entire jewelry collection. Lay out all your pieces to get a clear picture of what you have. This assessment will help you identify which items are frequently worn, which ones are rarely used, and which pieces hold significant sentimental value.
- Separate into Categories: To make the decluttering process more manageable, separate your jewelry into categories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and brooches. This organization will help you focus on one category at a time and make informed decisions.
- Apply the “Keep, Donate, Sell, Toss” Method
For each category, apply the “Keep, Donate, Sell, Toss” method. Keep the pieces you genuinely love, frequently wear, and hold sentimental value. Donate or gift items that are in good condition but no longer resonate with you. Sell any valuable pieces you no longer wear to earn some extra cash. Toss or recycle broken or damaged jewelry that cannot be repaired.
- Let Go of Unworn or Outdated Pieces: As you declutter, be honest with yourself about pieces you haven’t worn in years or ones that are outdated and no longer align with your style. Letting go of these items will free up space and allow you to focus on the pieces you truly love.
- Organize Your Keepers: Once you’ve decluttered, organize your favorite pieces in a way that suits your needs and preferences. Invest in jewelry organizers, trays, or display stands to keep your jewelry neatly arranged and easily accessible.
- Consider Sentimental Items:
For sentimental pieces that you may not wear regularly, consider creating a designated memory box or a special display area for them. This way, you can cherish the memories associated with the jewelry without cluttering your everyday collection.
- Regularly Review and Maintain:
Make it a habit to review your jewelry collection regularly. This will help prevent future clutter and allow you to reassess your style preferences over time.
- Avoid Impulse Purchases:
To prevent future jewelry clutter, be mindful of impulse purchases. Take your time when considering new pieces, ensuring they align with your style and will be a valuable addition to your collection.
How can I recycle and reuse jewelry I no longer enjoy wearing?
Recycling and reusing jewelry you no longer enjoy wearing is a great way to reduce waste, preserve materials, and even refresh your style. Here are some creative and practical ideas:
🔄 Reuse & Repurpose
1. Restyle or Redesign:
- Take pieces to a jeweler to have them redesigned—combine stones, reset them in modern styles, or turn them into something entirely different (e.g., a brooch into a pendant).
- Convert pieces:
- Necklaces → bracelets or anklets
- Earrings → charms for a bracelet or necklace
- Rings → pendants or brooch centers
2. Mix & Match:
- Use unmatched earrings as lapel pins or hair accessories.
- Layer multiple necklaces or bracelets to give them a more contemporary look.
3. DIY Craft Projects:
- Incorporate jewelry into home décor: decorate photo frames, candle holders, or mirrors with old gems or beads.
- Make keychains, bookmarks, wine glass charms, or zipper pulls.
♻️ Recycle or Donate
4. Sell or Trade:
- Use platforms like Poshmark, Etsy, eBay, or local consignment shops.
- Some jewelers or pawn shops will buy old gold, silver, or stones.
- Consider a jewelry swap with friends or in online communities.
5. Donate to Charities:
- Some organizations accept jewelry donations for fundraising or to give to people in need (e.g., women re-entering the workforce).
6. Recycle Materials:
- If pieces are damaged or outdated beyond repair, recycle the metals and gems. Many jewelers offer scrap services.
- Eco-friendly jewelers or metal recyclers will responsibly melt down metals and repurpose stones.
🧠Tips Before You Start
- Inventory what you have and decide what has sentimental value or quality worth keeping.
- Check for precious metals or genuine stones—these are worth more and more suitable for redesigning or reselling.
- Remove or repurpose clasps, chains, and beads—they’re often reusable even if the main piece is not.
Decluttering your jewelry collection is a rewarding process that allows you to cherish your favorite pieces and keep your collection organized and sparkling. Assess your collection, separate it into categories, and apply the “Keep, Donate, Sell, Toss” method for each category. Let go of unworn or outdated pieces, and organize your keepers with suitable jewelry organizers. Consider creating a special place for sentimental items to cherish their memories. Regularly review and maintain your collection, avoiding impulse purchases to prevent future clutter. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll curate a stunning and meaningful jewelry collection that reflects your unique style and brings joy to your life.
A few guidelines to keep you on task:
1.Only spend time on your specific daily task.
2.Do not get side-tracked or distracted.
3.Work within a time of day that you have the most energy and stamina.
4.Avoid thinking too long about whether to keep or discard an item. Recruit help if you are stuck in the decision process.
5.Avoid cleaning during your declutter. Getting rid of the clutter is your priority. Cleaning can be accomplished later.
We are working in the master bedroom this week. Your task today for today, March 16th, is to: Declutter any broken and unworn jewelry.
HOW TO DECLUTTER:
Supplies Needed:
1. boxes -preferably ones you can donate (Avoid plastic storage bins because you may be tempted to just store the items and not part with them.)
2. sturdy trash bags
3. marker/pen to label boxes
Decluttering Tip: Avoid using storage bins to declutter. Storage bins tend to tell your brain to “store” the items for later. That is just delaying decisions. If you aren’t getting rid of items when you declutter, you are not truly decluttering. This is why I recommend a trash bag, also. A trash bag tells your brain to “trash” the item.
Obviously, recycle if you have that option. The boxes you use should be ones you are willing to part with, so I recommend sturdy cardboard boxes. As to donations, there are many charities that will come pick up your items for you at your home.
I use one in particular where you can book an appointment for pick-up online. This is so convenient, as it saves you the hassle of hauling stuff away yourself. Scheduling that pick-up also motivates you to declutter by a certain date.
How to Declutter:
1. Start by eliminating trash first- use a sturdy trash bag
2. Sort items by category if needed so you can see what you have
3.Get rid of duplicate items, broken items, outgrown clothes and shoes, anything you’ll never use again
4. Box up the donations and trash/recycle the rest
5.Select a charity to donate your items and schedule the pick-up if that is an option
Struggling to decide if an item is clutter? Use these questions below to help you determine whether to keep or toss any item.
Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.
You can get your printable Daily Housekeeping Routine and Deep Cleaning Your House Schedule here. This 15 page printable kit is delivered digitally to your email for you to print and personalize. What Does a Deep Clean Include? It includes a daily schedule, calendar pages, and deep cleaning checklists for every room and area of your home. Below is a sample page of what you’ll get in my Housekeeping Schedule for Home printables.
Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.
Need to Declutter Every room? I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Attic checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.
Happy Decluttering!
To Subscribe to this Declutter Series, drop me a comment below. Your email will be sent to me but will not be posted publicly. You’ll receive a daily declutter task via email for the daily task we are working on. You can unsubscribe at any time.
New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:
Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.
Step 3: How do you remove clutter?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.
Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered.
Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.
Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com:
14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered
How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule
How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter
What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?
Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.
For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.
I hope you have benefitted from my post on Where to Start When You Declutter (tasks you can do in 30 minutes). Leave a comment below to subscribe to my daily declutter task email series.
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