Can I Travel With My Jewelry?
How to Keep Your Jewelry Safe on VacationSummer means sunshine, cookouts, and, if you're lucky, lots of traveling. Whether you're planning a road trip, flying somewhere new, or even leaving the country, you don't have to leave your favorite jewelry at home. But a little preparation can go a long way toward keeping your jewelry safe and in good condition while you're away.
I've put together a checklist of a few things to keep in mind before you hit the road, so you can spend less time worrying about your jewelry and more time enjoying your trip.
Keep Your Jewelry With You
If you're flying, don't pack your jewelry in checked luggage. Lost luggage is stressful enough without wondering where your favorite necklace or engagement ring ended up.Instead, keep valuable and sentimental pieces with you in your personal item or carry-on, and keep them close rather than leaving them unattended.
For especially valuable pieces, you may even want to consider whether you really need to bring them at all. Sometimes the safest place for a piece of jewelry is at home.
Store Each Piece Properly
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's surprisingly easy to damage jewelry while it's packed away.Whatever you do, don't throw all your jewelry into one bag and hope for the best!
Diamonds can scratch other diamonds, so diamond jewelry should be stored separately. Keeping pieces separated also helps prevent metals from rubbing against one another and getting scratched.
A small travel jewelry case with individual compartments is an easy way to keep everything organized. If you prefer to use small plastic bags, put each piece in its own bag.
For necklaces, there's an easy trick to help prevent tangled chains: thread the chain through a small opening in the bag and leave the clasp or “tail” outside before sealing it.
A few extra seconds of preparation can save you a lot of frustration when you're getting ready for dinner on vacation
Be Discreet With Valuable Jewelry
You don't necessarily need to leave your jewelry at home, but it's worth thinking about where you're going and what you're wearing.
If you're visiting an unfamiliar area or a place where theft is more common, consider leaving your most expensive or sentimental pieces somewhere secure.
Before your trip, do a little research on your destination and think about which pieces you'll actually need. You may find that you can enjoy your vacation just as much with a simpler piece of jewelry.
Check Your Jewelry Insurance Before You Travel
If you have valuable jewelry insured, it's a good idea to check your policy before traveling, especially if you're leaving the country.Coverage can vary depending on your policy and destination. Your insurance company can tell you whether your jewelry is covered while traveling, including what happens if a piece is lost, damaged, or stolen.
It's much easier to find out what your policy covers before your trip than after something goes wrong.
What If I Don't Want to Take My Jewelry With Me?
When in doubt, leave it home.If you're worried about losing or damaging a sentimental piece, ask yourself whether you really need to bring it. Sometimes bringing one or two less valuable pieces is the better choice.
And before you leave, make sure the jewelry you're taking is in good condition. If you're not sure whether a prong is loose, a clasp needs attention, or a piece is ready for travel, bring it in and let us take a look before you go.
A little preparation before your trip can give you one less thing to worry about while you're away.
So pack your bags, grab your sunglasses, and go enjoy the vacation. Your jewelry should be along for the memories, not the stress.