Silver Jewelry Boxes

Occupying prime space on the dresser, beside the matching comb and Faberge egg were three sterling silver jewelry boxes. Three boxes: the largest for her necklaces, a medium sized housed her numerous earrings and bracelets and the smallest one for the many rings. The silver jewelry boxes were of an intricate filigree design inlaid with blood red rubies and deep green emeralds and the family crest formed part of the lock. Lined in plush purple velvet, the boxes housed precious stones such as rubies and emeralds to the more economical silver plated bracelets. Every day after she had had her bath, she would sit in front of her dresser: first she combed and curled her hair, second pampered and applied rouge to her skin and then her favorite part of the day, choosing the jewelry she was going to wear. Opening the silver jewelry boxes, she gazed at the beautiful trinkets and mixed and matched her way through them. Once she had made her choice she gently closed the boxes, running her hand over the boxes feeling the delicate silver threads under her fingers. Handed down to her by her grandmother, the silver jewelry boxes along with the matching comb and Faberge egg, was one she held of great pride.

Such silver jewelry boxes are usually gifted to younger generations. However they can be bought too. Coming in a variety of forms from butterfly shaped to oval and octagon and in a variety of designs from floral to ancient roman, silver jewelry boxes make an ideal gift for your maid of honor or daughter who just turned 13, to hold jewelry worn on a daily basis or as a special place to store the more valuable ornaments. These boxes can also be personalized before being gifted, for instance, one can engrave the name of the recipient on the lid of the box.

While many use silver jewelry boxes for storing jewelry, some use it for more unconventional purposes such as holding on to a child's baby teeth, a teenager's retainers instead of the ugly plastic case or as a way of presenting an engagement ring to a loved one.

The history surrounding these silver jewelry boxes is vague: it's hard to pinpoint the first jewelry box. While initially limited to aristocrats and the like, the Industrial Revolution allowed for mass production and enabled the middle class to purchase these silver jewelry boxes. During the early 1900s, an increase in trade and travel meant there were international influences on these silver jewelry boxes and the most popular design of that time was the Art Nouveau, a design influenced by nature. Today most silver jewelry boxes are silver plated, but ones made with the precious metal are also available.