Insurer uncovers where, why, and how jewelry goes missing—and how travelers can protect their valuables.
NEENAH, Wis. (April 15, 2025) – Jewelers Mutual® Group, the insurer dedicated to protecting jewelry and jewelry businesses for over a century, has released new findings from its 2025 Travel Study, revealing surprising insights into how travelers handle, protect, and insure their jewelry. The study uncovers the most common loss and theft scenarios, evolving consumer behaviors, and the growing trend of wearing “travel jewelry” as a precautionary measure.
Where Jewelry Goes Missing
The study found that necklaces are the most frequently left-behind jewelry item, followed by earrings and bracelets. Most travelers who leave behind their jewelry report storing it in a jewelry box or safe, emphasizing the need for secure storage habits while away from home.
When it comes to losing jewelry, earrings top the list, with beaches and hotel rooms being the most common places for misplaced valuables. Alarmingly, nearly half of respondents who lost jewelry while traveling had it happen more than twice, revealing a persistent challenge for travelers.
Theft Hotspots and High-Risk Jewelry
Jewelry theft continues to be a significant concern, with earrings, necklaces, and wedding rings being the most frequently stolen items. The top locations for theft? Hotel rooms and restaurants. These findings underscore the importance of staying vigilant and taking precautions when bringing valuables while traveling.
Rise in Travel Jewelry and Buying Decisions
In response to these risks, nearly 80% of surveyed travelers who wear jewelry while traveling choose dedicated travel pieces—items specifically selected to reduce the chance of losing expensive or sentimental belongings. This practice is most popular among younger consumers and women.
Additionally, earrings are the most purchased jewelry item while traveling, with over half of consumers preferring to buy from established retail stores. Brand recognition plays a key role in purchasing decisions; 87% of respondents choose familiar brands at least some of the time when buying jewelry abroad.
Expert Advice on Jewelry Protection
“Traveling with jewelry presents unique risks, and our study highlights how common loss and theft can be,” said Howard Stone, Vice President of Global Asset Protection and Analytics at Jewelers Mutual. “By understanding these trends, we can better educate our customers—helping them take protective steps to protect their cherished pieces wherever their travels take them.”
Notably, the study found that travelers who carry specialized jewelry insurance are more likely to take proactive security measures, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive protection tailored specifically for valuable and sentimental items.
For more on details about Jewelers Mutual’s Travel Study and jewelry protection, visit JewelersMutual.com/2025-travel-study.
*The Jewelers Mutual study was conducted in February 2025 via an online survey through Qualtrics. A sample of over 1,500 adults in the U.S. aged 20+ who were responsible for making insurance decisions in their household and had at least one piece of fine jewelry were recruited via an online research panel and surveyed via online self-completion.