Whether you're a wanderlusting world traveller or just jetting off for a weekend getaway, we're here with all the travelling with jewelry tips to ensure your jewels are stylish, safe, and well protected.
Planning: What to Bring
Bring less, not more jewelry
In this case, less is more. I know, can you even believe we’re saying that? For travel, focus on a few essentials and a couple statement pieces to add interest to your outfits. With limited space in your luggage, some well-chosen accessories can make a few outfits go a long way.
Leave your valuable and sentimental pieces at home if you can
Even though you hate to part with your stunning engagement ring or splurge-worthy treat-yourself-ring, you may want to consider leaving them at home depending on where you’ll be travelling and what you plan on doing when you get there.
In terms of packing your stunning stacking band collection or other fine jewelry pieces, make your decisions based on the destination and activities when you get there.
INVEST IN A travel ring
Instead of risking it with your engagement ring, think about investing in a travel ring that’s more durable, less expensive, and not as sentimental as your engagement ring.
What is a travel ring?
A travel ring is a ring you wear in place of your engagement ring to avoid damage, theft, or loss of your most meaningful jewel. Because even with insurance, a replacement is only a replica, not yourtreasured ring.
what do travel rings look like?
This is completely up to you but we love swapping in a gold band (either streamlined and chic or incredibly ornate) as a stylish stand-in on our travels. Think of it as your travel engagement ring - a perfectly responsible reason to finally pick up that band you've been eyeing ;)
Our signature Stella 18 kt Gold Band is a simple yet stunning travel ring favorite, or any of our made-to-order, hand-engraved bands for more intricate designs!
Some things to think about
- Don’t wear your valuable fine jewelry items for any strenuous (or water-based) activities. If you’re headed on an adventure holiday, leave ‘em at home.
- If you’re travelling somewhere potentially risky or dangerous, definitely avoid wearing any eye-catching pieces and leave the priceless items at home.
- If you plan to be walking a lot in a metro area, again #sayno to your flashy massive diamond studs or engagement cluster ring.
This is all totally up to you so whether you're packing light or don’t think your trip will be complete without your fave pieces, keep reading for all the packing + protection tips!
What to Pack or Wear
Wear your valuable/sentimental jewelry or put them in your carry on
Anything you would be sad to lose - keep it on your body or safely tucked inside your carry on. Try to avoid wearing lots of attention-getting pieces in the airport.
Put costume jewelry or pieces you don’t mind losing in your checked luggage
There can be lots of potential mishaps with your checked luggage, so don’t put any jewels in there that you’d lose sleep over.
Packing Tips & Tricks
There’s a couple ways to approach your jewelry travel packing: DIY or pre-made. Both ways work great, it just depends on your personal preference!
STORE-BOUGHT JEWELRY STORAGE
Your best bet for store-bought jewelry storage: a gorgeous satin jewelry roll. These come beautifully designed with dinstinct areas for your rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to stay separate yet together.
DIY Packing Tricks
If you don’t have time to pick up a jewelry roll (or you’re just a DIY queen), here’s some tips and tricks to keep it all organized and safe with items you already have at home.
Storing Rings and Earrings
- You know those day-of-the-week pill organizers you can get at the pharmacy? They’re the perfect (albeit not super glam) place to store your rings and earrings for travel. Each item gets its own separate compartment and the container is small enough to fit easily in your purse!
- Bead organizers from the craft store will work the same way as the pill organizer.
- An even easier option that likely everyone has: plastic kitchen wrap. Lay rings out, separated by an inch or so, fold the wrapping over and add another layer of rings or earrings in the spaces between. Safe, separated, and very compact to fit inside a zipped compartment of your purse for travel.
- For earrings, specifically – buttons work great! Insert your earring through the button hole and secure with the closure on the other side. Place inside a soft pouch for travel.
Storing Necklaces
- The plastic wrap trick from above works great for necklaces also – lay them out flat to prevent tangling.
- If you have extra straws laying around, thread your necklace through a straw and close the clasp - this keeps it from tangling. Trim the straw if it’s too long for your necklace. Put inside a small baggie to keep it from rubbing against other items.
Once You Get There
If you’ve brought valuable pieces, store them inside your hotel’s safe when you arrive. You don’t want to be walking around with oodles of jewels in your purse. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, just make sure it’s secure and you feel comfortable storing your jewelry there while you’re out.
If you’re at a risky destination (or just walking the streets of NYC at night), either opt not to wear your valuable jewels, or make them less obvious (flip your engagement ring to the inside for example).
For any high-impact activities (or outdoor activities), leave off pieces that could get damaged or lost. Remember Kim K’s earring meltdown in the hotel’s swimming pool? Let’s not repeat that!
Social Media Don'ts
When you’re posting all your IG-worthy snaps (jewels included), be careful not to give away your exact location. Theft can easily happen if someone can track down the hotel pool that 2 carat diamond is lounging at.
Protecting Your Jewelry At Home & Away
The best way to protect your glittering investment from damage, theft, or loss while traveling or at home: insurance. Some insurance companies will include your jewelry on your homeowners or renters policy. If not, you can opt for specialty jewelry insurance from companies like Jeweler's Mutual, Lemonade, and Lavalier.
Some insurance companies require an appraisal before insuring jewelry items - read our blog on Jewelry Appraisalsfor why you might want an appraisal on high-value items either way!
Once your insurance is all set up, let your insurance company know you’re travelling and double check that the pieces you’re bringing are covered.