Non-bank safe deposit boxes for jewellery
Store assets securely in Switzerland or Liechtenstein
Collectors of fine jewellery appreciate just how valuable it really is. Diamonds, gemstones, valuable necklaces and rings require secure, value-preserving storage in ideal climatic conditions. Directly accessible wall- or furniture safes in your own home may be practical, but many leave a lot to be desired in terms of security. Furthermore, many bank safe deposit boxes are unsuitable for storing jewellery for a variety of reasons. As a practical alternative, a discreetly managed safe deposit box with a private security company in Switzerland or Liechtenstein has many advantages.
Safe deposit box systems outside the banking system can offer enhanced security standards. And in addition, higher levels of discretion and privacy also apply, because specialist providers are not subject to the financial reporting requirements all banks are obliged to follow. A private safe deposit box rented from a company specialising in the storage of physical assets can also provide individual storage solutions necessary for the safe storage of jewellery items. This option is particularly suitable for valuable pieces which will not be not be worn regularly and are intended to be used to secure assets, or kept as a legacy for the next generation.
Home safes for jewellery: Advantages and disadvantages
Boxes, cases and jewellery rolls are ideal for protecting valuable jewels from unsightly dust deposits and airborne patina. But they provide no protection against theft. Lockable jewellery cabinets are also designed for storing valuables in a practical manner, so they can usually be broken into with very little effort.
Experienced burglars often have an equally easy time with home safes, which, subject to their design criteria, likewise offer little resistance. It is not uncommon for such safes to be just ripped free from their anchorage and carried away – making their break-in resistance irrelevant. Lockable jewellery storage and furniture safes are a useful alternative to just leaving valuables loose and lying around, and to prevent a random “snatch” attempt by an opportunist petty thief. However, they are not suitable for the secure, permanent storage of high-value jewellery.
Why bank safe deposit boxes are no longer the premier option for jewellery
Although not an ideal choice, the physical security offered by a bank safe deposit box is more robust than most home solutions. However, prospective users must realise there are some inherent disadvantages. The geographical proximity of a local bank safe deposit box, offering convenient access to stored jewellery, is a practical advantage. But whether climatic conditions in your local bank vault are really adequate to preserve your material assets depends heavily on the particular design concept employed. The same applies to safe deposit box insurance, which is either unavailable or will only cover a portion of the value of your stored assets. So the criteria for choosing a safe deposit box provider for jewellery includes a range of considerations.
Today, anyone wishing to open a bank safe deposit box for their valuable jewellery needs a bank account from which the rental fees will be collected. According to current money laundering regulations in the EU and the EEA – and thus also in Liechtenstein, but not in Switzerland – banks are obliged to record customer data in a central register which can be accessed by authorities. The master customer data gathered also includes safe deposit box numbers – so acquiring a bank a safe deposit box is no longer a purely private matter. Jewellery owners who value discretion should therefore consider alternatives to a bank safe deposit box.
In addition, many banks are currently prone to the risk of bankruptcy, and there have been insolvencies in the recent past. A bankruptcy is generally announced at very short notice, thus usually presenting its customers with a fait accompli. Safe deposit box users are also at a great disadvantage, because they will have no access to their bank safe deposit during the legal process. So, in the event of a bank insolvency, your safe deposit box may be inaccessible for many months, if not years.
Maximum discretion via a safe deposit box in Switzerland or Liechtenstein
Those who want to store their jewellery securely do not have to rely on bank safe deposit boxes. There are companies who are specialist providers of optimal, secure asset storage facilities. These can be found outside the European Union (EU), at companies such Swiss Gold Safe. This mainstream provider of private storage solutions offers international customers bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland, as well as non-bank safe deposit boxes in Liechtenstein. These storage arrangements are independent of the banking system, which means no bank account is required to open a private safe deposit box for jewellery because rental fees can be paid using various payment methods.
Furthermore, Swiss Gold Safe is not subject to any financial reporting obligations, nor any obligation to provide information to authorities, which allows safe deposit box clients the benefit of maximum discretion and privacy. In addition, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are renowned worldwide for their uncompromising protection of private property rights. Furthermore, in these jurisdictions these rights apply equally to both citizens and international investors. This in turn means safe deposit box holders can always access their property within a reasonable period of time, even in the unlikely event of any institution becoming insolvent.
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A safe deposit box for jewellery: Security and asset preservation
Many bank safe deposit facilities now employ outdated security, with modernisation simply out of the question for most because safe deposit box rentals are no longer considered part of a bank’s core business. But at specialist providers such as Swiss Gold Safe, the situation is completely different. Safe deposit box rentals for jewellery and other items, as well as other storage solutions for material assets, are the company’s primary business activity. This is reflected in the provision of modern security systems that meet, or even exceed, contemporary standards: State-of-the-art physical security features combined with a comprehensive monitoring system and well-thought-out emergency backup planning ensure optimal protection against burglary attempts.
In addition, Swiss Gold Safe’s safe deposit facilities are designed create and maintain the optimal climatic conditions required for the storage of sensitive material assets. For example, consistent temperatures ensure an ideal spatial environment, which means your luxury and antique jewellery pieces will retain their value and high-quality appearance while in long-term storage.
Safe deposit box insurance for jewellery
The contents of your safe deposit box can be insured according to their value for a range of risks including loss or damage caused by earthquake, flood or fire. A basic insurance will cover theft risks and many other events up to a defined sum insured. In addition, jewellery safe deposit boxes in Switzerland and Liechtenstein can also be comprehensively covered via a special safe deposit box insurance which will fully compensate owners for any material losses.
Summary: Safe deposit boxes for jewellery
- Today, jewellery, precious stones and diamonds are often purchased to secure material assets. These items must be stored securely if they are to provide a future inheritance.
- Home safes are unsuitable for secure storage. In many cases, they provide inadequate protection against burglary attempts.
- The physical security of bank safe deposit boxes has also declined in recent years, primarily due to a lack of facilities maintained to modern standards.
- Banks are also subject to financial reporting obligations. They are obliged to keep customer data – including safe deposit box numbers – which authorities have the right to view and access.
- Unlike banks, private safe deposit box companies such as Swiss Gold Safe are not subject to financial reporting obligations. Thus, safe deposit boxes for jewellery in Switzerland and Liechtenstein offer maximum discretion while preserving individual property rights.
- Bank-independent safe deposit boxes outside the EU are equipped with modern, well-maintained security systems.
- Comprehensive safe deposit box insurance means your stored contents can be fully insured even in the event of earthquakes or extreme weather events.
