When traveling, few things are worse than accidentally damaging or losing your expensive jewelry, especially the white gold wedding rings for women that you spent days picking out from the store. Moreover, there’s always a lingering feeling of anxiety when you know you’re carrying what’s equivalent to thousands of dollars in jewelry, always feeling that you could damage or lose it at any time.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can still bring your expensive accessories with you without needlessly putting them at risk nor constantly worrying about them. Before packing your bags, here are some essential tips on how to keep your jewelry safe while traveling:
1. Bring less
If you can’t avoid bringing expensive jewelry with you on vacation, at least try to bring fewer pieces. In this way, there’s less to look after, and thus less to be anxious about while on the go. If you can, bring only one of every pair or piece that you usually wear, be it a ring, necklace, bracelet, or a pair of earrings.
2. Keep them on your person
The best way to avoid losing your precious jewels is to keep them on your person at all times, except, of course, when you’re resting at your hotel. Pack them in your carry-on luggage if you don’t want to wear them. Never keep any jewelry in your checked luggage where you can’t look after them while in transit.
3. Use the hotel safe
Most mid to high-tier hotel rooms come with a safe, but call the hotel in advance just in case. Keep your expensive jewelry in the safe whenever you leave your hotel room without them; don’t leave anything that is of value laying around as hotel staff can access your room at any time. Alternatively, you can leave your jewelry and other valuables in the hotel safe.
4. Put them in an appropriate case
Always travel with a sturdy jewelry case with you. This helps protect your fine jewelry from any untoward damage while traveling when they are more prone to getting jostled around. Moreover, store jewelry in separate compartments so that they don’t tangle together or accidentally damage each other. Make sure that the jewelry case is inconspicuous as well to minimize the risk of theft. If the case obviously contains something valuable, it will become a much bigger target for thieves.
5. Get an insurance policy
If your pricey accessories don’t have insurance yet, it always a good idea to get a specialized jewelryvinsurance policy for them. Read the terms of the policy carefully to ensure that loss or damage while traveling will be covered.
6. Take inventory
Traveling with a lot of pieces is inherently risky, but you can reduce that risk by taking inventory of the pieces you bring with you. Make a list of all the jewelry you are bringing and take photos just in case. Before leaving your hotel, check if each piece is still present to ensure that you don’t leave anything behind.
7. Hang the ‘do not disturb’ sign
Middle to high-end hotels usually have strict policies for staff, but you can’t be sure that the ones cleaning your hotel room won’t have sticky fingers. That said, it’s a good idea to hang the ‘do not disturb’ sign on your door so that housekeeping won’t go into your hotel room. If you need someone to clean your room, keep your jewelry hidden in your luggage.
8. Be mindful of your surroundings
Thieves are present everywhere you go, especially in crowded areas like airports, subways, and tourist destinations. Always be alert whenever you’re traveling to keep your valuables (and yourself) safe and try not to seem like a tourist. Thieves tend to target travelers who are obviously not familiar with their surroundings and are more likely to let their guard down. If you know you’re going to go through crowded areas, try not to wear jewelry at all. Moreover, it helps to do a bit of research on the crime rates in the area to gauge the likelihood of theft or robbery.
9. Don’t forget about the jewelry at home
Store them in a hidden safe or an inconspicuous place in your house before you leave. Better yet, leave them in a safety deposit box or with a trusted loved one.
Traveling with fine jewelry doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With these tips, you can wear your precious pieces while on vacation without putting them at unnecessary risk for theft, damage, or loss. Plus, you won’t have to spend your trip preoccupied with the lingering anxiety of losing your valuables.
