In a jewellery store, the two main jobs of the furniture compete with each other. On the one hand, the pieces must be as visible and attractive as possible: customers want to see every stone sparkle up close. On the other hand, small, high-value items must not be easy to take. A well-planned display case does both at once.
Types of display case and their roles
A jewellery store usually uses several types of case together:
- Counter cases. They stand between staff and customer, with a glass top. Pieces are viewed from above and handled only with staff assistance. Most sales happen here.
- Wall cases. Tall, often behind the counter, showing collections, brand groups or display compositions.
- Island cases. Standing in the middle of the floor, they draw customers into the store. They are viewed from all four sides, so the lock and service side must be carefully planned.
The number and layout of cases depend on floor area, customer flow and the number of staff. A key criterion is that each group of cases can be supervised by one member of staff.
Glass and construction
The glass in a display case serves both appearance and security. Jewellery cases usually use safety glass: toughened glass breaks into small granules rather than sharp shards, while laminated glass stays in one piece even when broken thanks to its interlayer, which makes it harder to get through. The choice depends on the store's security requirements and insurance conditions.
Minimal, neat glass joints improve how the pieces look. The carcass itself must be sturdy: people lean on the counter, and boxes and a card terminal sit on top. In the lower part, lockable drawers or compartments are planned for reserve stock, packaging and paperwork.
Locking systems
Showcase locks get used constantly through the day, so they have to be dependable and quick to operate:
- dedicated showcase locks for sliding glass doors prevent the doors from being slid past each other;
- on hinged doors, concealed locks keep the look clean;
- separate keys for each group of cases spread responsibility;
- some stores prefer electronic locks or systems with an access log.
The service side, where the lock and doors are, should always face the staff, and customers should see only glass. In stores where stock is moved to a safe after hours, the interior layout of the cases is also designed to make that quick: removable trays and ready-made bases for groups of items.
Lighting inside the case
In jewellery, light is part of the sale. Metals and stones only sparkle under the right light. When planning, consider:
- Colour temperature. Gold and warm-toned pieces often look best under warmer light, while silver, platinum and diamonds often look more striking under cooler, whiter light. With a mixed collection, grouping the cases helps.
- Colour rendering. Light sources with high colour rendering that do not distort colours preserve the true appearance of the pieces.
- Spot and linear light. Spotlights create sparkle in stones, while linear LED light illuminates the case evenly. The two are often combined.
- Heat. In a closed case, light sources produce heat; LED lighting is more favourable here, but a ventilated place must be planned for the drivers.
The light source should not shine directly into the customer's eyes. Lights set into profiles or concealed recesses reduce glare and keep the case looking clean.
Comfort for staff and customers
Counter height should let the customer view the pieces comfortably and the staff member work without bending. If seating is planned on the customer side, knee space is left at the front of the counter. On the staff side, a mirror, display pads, sizing tools and packaging should be within reach.
A short list for ordering: types and number of cases, glass type, locking system, light colour temperature, lower storage, cable routes and electrical points, and the procedure for moving stock to the safe at night.
For a jeweller, Zaferoglu Mebel can design showcase sizes, inner compartments and lighting positions around the shop floor plan.
