boite aux bijoux

Question

as jewellery is plural why is a used rather than aux?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Carol,
à indicates what something is designed for even if they are plural - see examples below:

une boîte à outils = a toolbox
une boîte à bijoux = a jewellery box
une brosse à dents = a toothbrush

aux ( à l' - à la - au) is usually used in expressions with food (meaning with - flavoured with) as Jim suggested.  
une tarte aux pommes = an apple tart
Although you can find 'une boîte à/aux lettres' (= a letterbox)- see link here: une-boite-aux-lettres-une-boite-a-lettres
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi Carol,As you are probably aware, à can take a number of meanings one of which is "avec".So "boîte à les (aux) bijoux" represents "box with pieces of jewellery"Hope this helps.Jim