Small, decorative boxes have been used to store small valuable for centuries. Think of the jewelry armoire as a collection of smaller jewelry boxes stacked atop each other forming a small upright chest. Each drawer is usually lined with a silk or felt fabric material. The soft lining helps to prevent precious metal jewelry from scratches.

There are many different styles of jewelry armoires built from various materials. Solid wood armoires are a favorite though there are some finely crafted pieces that incorporate hardwood veneers and a variety of finishes. The jewelry armoire is thought to have evolved from small demure handkerchief drawers.

Once solely of interest to women, men have discovered the utility of a jewelry armoire. More and more men are sporting different types of jewelry these days and this fact has not been on the makers of jewelry armoires. Many designs have a definite to men, especially the popular mission style designs. This is not to say that designers have forgotten about the fact that women own and wear more jewelry then their male counterparts.

Many members of both sexes have chosen to wear jewelry pieces that were once considered far out of mainstream. More men are sporting earrings and other kinds of body jewelry. Many women have adorned their bodies with once unconventional pieces of jewelry like belly button rings and various other types of body piercings.

Styles and designs of jewelry armoires range from the more traditional freestanding floor design to wall-mount styles. A very innovative design of freestanding armoire incorporates a viewing mirror inside a lift up top lid. The viewing mirrors may consist of simple sheet glass to more ornate styles of beveled and etched glass designs.

One particularly interesting design combines a traditional womens dressing table and a six drawer jewelry armoire. Still other styles harken back to the traditional handkerchief and lingerie drawers. There are enough small jewelry drawers in the upper part of the armoire, while the bottom has slightly larger drawers. The larger drawers provide enough space to store delicate items of lingerie.

In another design twist that makes use of more storage space is the side door jewelry armoire. With the usual number of small, fabric lined drawers in the front each side of the armoire opens up. The side door compartments often have hook that provide space to organized and hang chain and necklace pieces.

Many jewelry armoires feature small locks meant to keep unwanted guests from getting to your jewelry. A much more subtle design feature of many jewelry armoires are false panels. False fronts, false drawer bottoms and other secret hiding places are not new nor are they unique to jewelry cases and armoires.

Concealed compartments are a great to store some of the more valuable jewelry pieces in your collection. Now a secret compartment is certainly no substitute for keeping very valuable jewelry protected from theft. That task is best left to a home safe or safe deposit box.

A smart, decorative and space saving design in jewelry armoires, the wall mount jewelry armoire is quite nice. Combining the best features of a side door armoire and the traditional freestanding piece, the wall mount style is unique in design. Doors swing open to reveal more than enough space for necklaces, chains and other types oh hanging jewelry.

Just imagine never again having to untangle, and damage your valuable gold chains. Instead they are organized in an attractive and versatile piece of furniture.