Hitting the road or flying the skies soon? Holiday travel is just around the corner, not to mention winter getaways—whether that means hitting the slopes or soaking up the sun. Whenever the trip, wherever the destination, and whatever the plans upon arrival, following a few useful tips on how to travel properly with jewelry will ensure that it arrives safely, too.
Where are you going? What are you doing while you’re there?
Keep your destination and activities in mind. If it’s mostly time on the beach or rusticating in the woods, camping, or hiking, keep jewelry minimal, simple, and less likely to be mourned if it’s damaged or lost. International travel, even to major cities in stable countries, requires caution around theft. It may be best to leave dazzling attention-getters at home. Too much bling can easily identify travelers as tourists, making them more likely to become targets for pickpockets and thieves.
What are you wearing?
Avoid packing too many pieces by making sure the jewelry you are bringing will match with at least an outfit or two in your bag. The more jewelry you bring, the more likely you are to lose something. A good rule of thumb is to stick with either silver or gold so that all your pieces are easier to mix and match for more looks.
Have you taken a close look at your jewelry lately?
Once you’ve selected your jewelry, take a good look at it. Check for loose stones, bent prongs, or broken clasps. Travel of almost any sort can be hard on jewelry, no matter how carefully it’s packed or how tenderly it’s cared for while away from home. It’s never a bad idea to bring those pieces into Joslin’s Jewelry beforehand and have the experts give them a once-over for even minor repairs if necessary, and a cleaning to get every last bit of shine and sparkle ready for the trip.
What are you bringing?
If anything unfortunate happens to your jewelry while traveling, it helps to have proof of ownership. Lay out the jewelry before it’s packed and snap a photo. This will help keep track of selected pieces and ensure that nothing is left behind when heading home.
What are you going to pack it in?
There are a number of different travel organizers out there for those who want to travel more safely with their jewelry. From velvet-lined cases that keep jewelry organized and safe from scratches to necklaces pouches and roll-up organizers, there is a wide range to choose from to match your jewelry travel needs.
There are also a few different ways you can safely organize your jewelry without splurging on a new jewelry case. Buttons are excellent for holding pairs of earrings together, straws can have necklaces strung through them to prevent tangling, and plastic sandwich bags are a cheap way to keep all your pieces separate. Pill cases are also an excellent alternative. Their mini compartments keep small pieces, like rings and earrings, safe and secure.
Checked bag or carry-on?
Checking bags is a hassle—and unpredictable!—enough without worrying about valuables inside them. Checked luggage is famously at risk of damage or loss. Pack jewelry in a carry-on and avoid placing it in outer pockets. Instead, surround it with safety by placing it in the middle of a carry-on, cushioned by soft clothing, where it cannot be reached without opening the bag itself. And once at your destination, do not store jewelry in hotel rooms. Ask about the hotel vault, even if a safe is provided in the room.
Should you insure it?
It’s surprising how little thought people give to replacing jewelry if the worst happens. Most homeowners’ policies do not cover the full loss of expensive jewelry. Travelers may need a temporary valuable articles policy, but be careful—some limit reimbursement to $5,000. Also, not all policies cover international travel.
Travel is exciting and fun, but it can also be stressful. Even minimal planning and organization allow travelers to breathe easier and enjoy the trip more, knowing that proper measures have been taken to ensure that jewelry is as safe on the road as it is at home.
