An acrylic jewellery display is a lighting product as much as a fixture. The piece is 3 mm wide, the counter light is 300 mm above it, and the acrylic has to lift the piece into that light without adding a reflection of its own.
A jewellery chain in Dubai re-merchandised 40 counters with stepped acrylic trays. Sales of the entry-price range rose after the change, and the store manager put it down to one detail: the pieces sat 40 mm higher, closer to the light.
Acrylic jewellery display: tray, step and height
- Tray: 3 mm clear or matte, 200 x 150 mm typical
- Step: 20 to 40 mm lift toward the light source
- Lining: suede insert for gold, bare acrylic for steel
- Grading: one tray per size band, never mixed
Height is the free upgrade. Lifting a tray 40 mm closer to a counter light increases the illuminance on the piece by roughly 20 percent, which is visible and costs nothing.
Fingerprints, static and the cleaning routine
Clear acrylic under directional light shows every touch. A matte finish, or a lightly frosted one, diffuses the reflection and the tray reads clean between wipes. Staff should use an anti-static cloth rather than a paper towel, which scratches.
Size grading is the merchandising detail that buyers leave out. Mixing a 1.5 mm band with a 6 mm chain in one tray flattens the range; one tray per size band, with the smallest at the front, presents the ladder.
For stands that carry the tray up to eye level, the construction logic overlaps with acrylic display stands, and where the tray is part of a larger window scheme, the retail signage and display guide covers the whole-set approach.
Send your piece sizes, tray dimensions and counter layout to oversales@rpplexiglass.com for a display quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness acrylic for jewellery display trays?
3 mm for small trays up to 200 mm square, 5 mm for counter-height stands or trays that are handled daily. Thickness is set by handling, not by the weight of the pieces.
Why do jewellery displays look dusty?
Static and finish. Clear acrylic attracts dust and shows every fingerprint under counter lighting. A matte or lightly frosted surface, plus a weekly wipe with an anti-static cloth, keeps a display looking clean.
Should trays be lined?
For high-value pieces, yes. A suede or velvet insert protects the metal and gives contrast. Bare acrylic is acceptable for silver and steel, but gold and gemstones read better against a dark lining.