For you to enjoy your treasures, they need to be somewhere close and accessible, but NOT in the Bedside Jewelry Box.

Although we DO advise a Jewelry Box on the Dresser and easily seen, BUT ONE CONTAINING SEVERAL PIECES OF JUNK JEWELRY. It is a well documented fact that Burglars nearly ALWAYS check the Bedroom First knowing that people hide things there.

In general terms we have discovered, through HUGE amounts of research, (Please don't write and ask us how we know such things) that your average Crim or Thug, doesn't know the difference between Gold or Plated items, Diamonds or Shiny pebbles of Glass.

In the dimly lit beam of a torch, a handful of Jewelry, stuffed into a pocket, stops them searching any further, and they leave without any more damage.

If it looks like gold, it must be gold... Right?

Well, NO! But this can work in OUR Favor.

So OCCASIONALLY buy that antique looking string of pearls (which we know are glass beads) from the local Op shop or Charity Church Bazaar, and salt it into your 'attractive' Junk items in the Jewelry Box on the Dresser.

Costume Jewelry CAN look a Million Dollars. Old Brooches in a Base metal and containing a 'Plastic' Cameo, can feel and seem to be worth all the trouble.

Help these poor people out. Do the right thing. Give them something to Steal, and they will leave you alone, next time.

But what about the Good Stuff?

If you do 'Hide' it somewhere in your home there are a couple of points we wish to discuss. Firstly: tell a trusted or close relative where they are.

Too many people hide things and then forget where they put them. Over the years it slips from memory and after they 'Cross Over' as John Edwards would say, they get tossed out with the rest of the rubbish never to see light of day again. Shame - Shame - Shame. Please tell someone.

Don't hide the items in extreme temperatures.

It has seemed that over the past decade or so, some people have been hiding things in the Freezer. This is NOT recommended as Gold and Silver items may survive, but some gemstones are sure to suffer.

Opal for example contains a great amount of water in their chemical make up. Freeze opal and you will NOT have anything with color left after a very short while. Pearls too, and most of the softer 'Organic' gemstones like Coral or Ivory or Amber will all be damaged by this process.

The Kitchen is a good place to hide things, as is the Laundry.

We have had some clients (friends of ours) who hide things in the Children's Toy room. As long as it can't be found or played with by the Kids, it is safe.

If you come home one day and the Darling Little Ones are wearing your best Diamond Jewelry, chances are you didn't hide it well enough. Under the Lego pieces, just doesn't cut it.

Regardless of whether you have your items hidden or in a 'Safety Deposit' style box or wall safe etc, you should still insure your items.

We have mentioned this before, so if you're not sure, please read the advice on 'Selling your Jewelry' or go direct to the Online Jewelry Appraisal Centre for more information (address shown below).

As a last resort, it is comforting to know that if your treasures are lost or stolen, you can retrieve an accurate description and detailed specifications from a safe place OUTSIDE of your Home or Work.

One of the strengths of the 'Do-it-Yourself' Online Jewelry Self Appraisal system, is knowing your details are kept in a secure extraweb database that only you can access 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

We would hate to have Fire, Flood or Earthquake rip apart your world in more ways than one. After the event is NO time to get a Certificate done, and at such a low fee (less than the price of a Big Mac and Coke) is a tiny price to pay to ensure your details are covered.

Any good Manufacturing Jeweler should be able to remake an EXACT copy of your treasures thanks to the detailed descriptions in the Kit. Even if your Certificate was lost or destroyed, we can ALWAYS get you another copy and bring your Engagement or Wedding Ring back to life.

There are several other SPECIAL REPORTS available through our eMail-on-Demand subscription box at the website, so please take some time to visit.

There is a timely warning on Security issues. It's good advice, plus there is some great tips on Investing in Jewelry, Insurance guidelines and other notes on selling, Hallmarking tips etc, and they are being added to all the time.

And the best bit is they are FREE....

Thank you for taking the time to read this special report. If you thought it interesting, useful or found it helped you in any way I would appreciate your comments via email at the address shown below.

This is my personal email address and I read every comment - good or bad.

Alternatively: why not pass it on to a friend. I'm sure you can think of someone who might benefit from this useful information. Treat it as doing me a big favor. I will certainly appreciate it.

regards and please watch the road. David Foard F.G.A.A. Fellow of the Gemological Association of Australia and former member of JATVC - The Valuers Council (retired).

P.S. If you administer a website or publish an ezine, please feel free to use this article as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed below. Although it's not compulsory, just send me an email at gemmo1@jewellery-antiques.com and let me know if and where you used it. If you need other great content - complimentary of course - then drop me a line at the email address given - 'cause I've got Gallons of the stuff....