Hitting the road (or skies!) for an exciting adventure? While you're packing the sunscreen and booking tours, don't forget about your sparkling travel companions: your fine jewelry. Our recent survey revealed that nearly all consumers still travel with their treasured pieces, highlighting the importance of keeping them safe.
Jewelry Insurance Insights*:
- Approximately 40% of the surveyed travelers insure their travel jewelry, with almost half relying on homeowners policies.
- Interestingly, insured travelers prioritize hotel safes and dedicated travel cases, while those without insurance keep their jewelry close by.
- Younger adults are leading the trend towards specialized jewelry insurance, recognizing its advantages.
If you're like most travelers, protecting your jewelry isn't top-of-mind on your travel prep to-do list. But there are some precautions to take, especially if you bring your engagement ring or other expensive pieces. Read on to learn tips on how to travel with jewelry safely.
Deciding What Jewelry to Pack
Where are you going? What will you be doing while you're there? If you're jet-setting for a laid-back beach vacation, maybe you can get away with no jewelry at all. Or just a few casual pieces for a nice dinner out.
But if you're traveling for work, or a destination wedding, jewelry could be on the must-have list.
If you decide you need jewelry along, check for any travel advisories for your destination. If crime is of concern, consider leaving your fine jewelry behind. Safety first!
How should I store the jewelry I'm leaving behind?
Don't forget to take precautions for the expensive jewelry you don't take with you. Just because it's back home doesn't mean it's 100% safe.
If you can, consider renting a safety deposit box to store your valuables while you're away.
Did You Know?
Even though the government protects the money you store at a FDIC-insured bank, belongings in a safety deposit box are not included. They still need insurance!
If that's not an option, your best storage locations at home are a safe, ideally, or an inconspicuous location if you don't have a safe.
Contrary to popular belief, your jewelry box is not where you should store expensive jewelry! Where do you think a thief is going to look first?
How to Pack Jewelry for Travel
When packing your jewelry for travel, you want to avoid loss, damage, and unwanted attention.
Pack Smart: Limit what you bring and consider if bringing jewelry is necessary. Be sure to take an inventory of the pieces you choose to bring for your records. Pack them securely in your carry-on bag and wear any jewelry that reasonably suits your traveling attire. For added security, avoid wearing overly flashy or expensive jewelry while traveling.
Check out more DIY tips below on how to pack jewelry for travel.
How to Pack Necklaces
How to Pack Earrings
Can you bring jewelry in a carry on bag?
Absolutely. In fact, if you're not actually wearing your more expensive pieces through the airport, your carry-on is the only other way to go.
Make sure to keep the bag with your jewelry inside in your sight at all times. That includes offers of help from airport staff, cab drivers, bellhops and the like.
Never, never, never pack your fine jewelry in checked luggage. There's just way too much risk.
Can you wear jewelry through airport security?
Yes. In fact, TSA encourages you to keep your jewelry on. The vast majority of jewelry will not set off the alarms, and if it does an officer can inspect it with you watching.
If you do decide to remove your jewelry for whatever reason, put it into your carry-on bag, not on its own in a bin or bowl.
The Best Jewelry for Travel
There are so many things to think about while traveling - expensive, sentimental jewelry doesn't need to be one of them.
Should I wear a fake engagement ring on vacation?
For many people, the most expensive piece of jewelry you own is your engagement ring. And you probably don't take it off very often.
But should we wear it on our vacations? Depending on where you're going and what you'll be up to, the answer could very well be no.
When to Leave Bling Behind: Our survey revealed 87% of consumers travel with their engagement ring*, so it’s important to know how to prevent losing it. Pro-tip: Avoid wearing your ring in or around water. Even applying suntan lotion or working up a sweat could make it easier for your ring to slide off!
Be Hotel Savvy: Our survey also found that 35% of consumers lost jewelry when traveling in the past, with the most common location being the hotel room*. Exercise caution, even when utilizing the hotel safe for valuables. Consider purchasing a supplementary lock to use on hotel safes for additional security and never leave jewelry in your room unattended.
How to Travel Safely with Expensive Jewelry
While most of the above applies to pretty much any jewelry you care about, there are extra tips to consider for traveling with expensive jewelry.
1. Document the jewelry you're bringing. Make a visual inventory of the pieces you're taking with you. If you need to file a police report for any reason, this proof of ownership will be very helpful. (You should really do this anyway - it's smart to have a personal jewelry inventory.)
2. Alert officials, if necessary. If your insurance company requires you to notify them of travel, make sure to do so. Also don't forget that, for international travel, you must report to Customs the transport of goods valued at $10,000 or more.
3. Know when not to wear your jewelry. While your valuables are often safest while in your sight, there are activities during which you need to take your jewelry off. Look over our full list of activities that should be off-limits to jewelry.
4. Store safely at your hotel. Never leave your jewelry out in your hotel room, even inside your luggage. For any expensive jewelry you're not wearing, ask the hotel staff if they have a safe you can use, whether in your room or behind the desk.
5. Conceal, don't reveal. Especially if you're in a more dangerous or unknown area, take steps to conceal any expensive jewelry from strangers. Also, don't advertise the presence of expensive jewelry by sharing to social media. There's no need to make yourself a target.
6. Appraise and insure. Is your jewelry insured? Does your insurance cover worldwide travel? Or do you have travel insurance that covers jewelry? Make sure you know the limitations of your policy, and that you're covered for full value for the most common causes of loss. It's also smart to update any appraisals before you leave.
Buying New Jewelry
Bringing jewelry with you on vacation is one thing. Buying new jewelry while traveling is another.
If you're purchasing some casual, cheap jewelry as a memento, no worries. But if you come across fine jewelry you have to have, there are a few precautions to take:
- Do a quick online check for red flags like bad reviews. If there are bad reviews, consider finding a well-known brand you can trust.
- Consider items with reputable gem certifications, serial numbers, etc. Gem certifications provide documentation on the authenticity of the gemstone or diamond.
- Read the fine print in the return policy and on the receipt. If an issue comes up with your purchase before you head home will you be able to bring the piece back?
- Consider the next time you may (or may not) visit the jewelry store again. If you want to be able to work with the store later, consider choosing a local store instead of one you may not be able to easily access.
- For international travel, be aware of potential import taxes. Import taxes may drive the cost of the piece up higher. Note this when shopping internationally.
What to Do If You Lose Your Jewelry While Traveling
All jewelry loss is devastating. Losing jewelry while traveling is extra heartbreaking since the chances of it turning up down the road are very slim.
If, despite all your precautions, your jewelry is lost or stolen on vacation, all hope is not lost.
If you suspect theft, notify security wherever it occurred - the airport, hotel/resort or cruise ship. Then, file a formal police report with local authorities.
Whether lost or stolen, this is where jewelry insurance becomes vitally important. If you take one thing away from this guide, insure your jewelry.
Insurance Essentials: Nearly half of travelers are unsure if their insurance covers them abroad. Your best bet is safeguarding your favorite pieces with specialized jewelry insurance that offers worldwide coverage while traveling, like Jewelers Mutual.
Our comprehensive coverage protects your precious jewelry against loss, theft, damage and disappearance, even while you're abroad. Get peace of mind so you can focus on making incredible memories you’ll cherish forever.
Travel with confidence and keep your sparkle safe on your next global escapade. Pack smart, plan ahead and secure your jewelry with Jewelers Mutual for a worry-free, unforgettable adventure. Check your rate today!
*The Jewelers Mutual study was conducted in August 2023 via an online survey through usertesting.com. A sample of approximately 300 adults aged 18+ were recruited via an online research panel and interviewed via online self-completion.