Traveling with Jewelry

Break out the sunscreen and passports, travel season is upon us!

When you’ve been looking forward to a trip for so long, it’s natural to dream about the outfits you plan to wear. Especially when your travel plans include weddings or nights out for dinners and events. And for us, that mental packing definitely includes jewelry!

But while traveling, you’re much more likely to suffer loss, damage, or even the theft of your jewelry. Along with the hazards of travel, once you have arrived you’re not following your normal routine.

You can still bring your favorite jewelry along. But I recommend the precautions below to keep it safe when you do.

PACKING JEWELRY PROPERLY

TRAVEL JEWELRY CASES

Make use of a jewelry travel case when you pack for your trip. A travel case protects your pieces while in transit by keeping items in separate compartments so they don’t tangle and scratch. But back at your hotel or airbnb, it also encourages you to create a healthy routine of always placing things back in the same safe spot.

ZIP IT

Even when I use a travel case, I also store my necklaces in individual ziplock baggies. This keeps my chains from getting snarled. If you leave the clasp peeking just outside of the zipper closure, you can quickly lift the necklace out of the baggie tangle-free at your destination.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL DAYS

NEVER PLACE JEWELRY IN CHECKED LUGGAGE

Some insurance policies won’t cover jewelry theft if your luggage is out of your possession. As you travel, the safest place for your jewelry is within your sight or on your person. I recommend packing your jewelry in a bag you can tuck under the plane seat in front of you. A roller bag still runs the risk of being gate checked if the overhead bins are full.

KEEP A JEWELRY POUCH HANDY

Even if you don’t consider your jewelry precious, it can still be damaged if you’re carelessly tossing it into your bag or pocket. Chains tangle, beads crack, and earrings are known for snagging while you rummage around for your wallet and keys.

I recommend utilizing a jewelry pouch when you’re away from home and need to take things off. I keep one in my purse, the diaper bag, and our beach tote too. They come in handy for those times I remove jewelry on the go. Whether it’s to wash hands, apply sunscreen, or swim.

ON YOUR ADVENTURES

REMOVE JEWELRY BEFORE APPLYING SUNSCREEN

Lotion and sunscreen gunk up jewelry fast. It seeps under your gems and between chain links causing them to look dull. Mineral sunscreen (containing zinc oxide) is abrasive and slowly grinds away at precious metals too!

I recommend that you remove your jewelry while you apply your sunscreen, then give your skin time to absorb it fully before putting your jewelry back on.

Already got gunked up gems? Our jewelry cleaner can help.

DON'T WEAR JEWELRY TO THE BEACH

The beach might possibly be the worst place to wear jewelry. The waves and sand create a dangerous environment for your valuables.

First, let’s talk about swimming; Your body tissues shrink when submerged in cool water. A ring can easily slip off unnoticed while you paddle or swim. All too often I hear tales of a newlywed who loses their wedding band while snorkeling or surfing. A lost ring is nearly impossible to find in open water.

Back on the sand, things aren't much safer. Sand is abrasive and can scratch your metal and gems. And if your ring slips off your towel or out of your bag, hunting for it in the sand is often fruitless. Hobbyists beachcomb with metal detectors for a reason.

DON’T WEAR JEWELRY IN THE POOL

Yes, you are more likely to spot your ring if it falls off in a pool. It’s chlorine that’s our enemy here. Chlorine eats away at precious metals and can slowly erode the polished finish on gemstones. This process is amplified in the heat of a hot tub.

Jewelry I packed for a trip to Montreal, Quebec

LEAVE SENTIMENTAL ITEMS AT HOME

 

We’re all human, and even the most cautious traveler can misplace items. It’s easy to overlook a ring on the hotel sink or earrings on the nightstand — especially if you’re running late for a return flight.

It’s good to check in with yourself and ask, “Would it hurt to much to lose this?” If it’s irreplaceable, the safest thing may be to leave it at home.