Preparing for holidays can be part of the fun – selecting your holiday outfits, researching fun things to do and planning your itinerary. Proper planning can help your holiday run smoothing and take the stress out of packing and traveling.
With the summer holiday season fast approaching, you might be wondering what the safest way to pack jewellery is for your next vacation.
From where best to store your jewellery when travelling on an aeroplane and how to avoid necklaces tangling on route, to how to protect your jewellery when you’re actually at your holiday destination, in this article we will give you some top tips for keeping your jewellery safe for the entirety of your trip.
How to plan and pack your jewellery when travelling
Planning your jewellery looks will make packing easier
Much like planning your holiday wardrobe, consider what jewellery you want to wear with specific outfits to help you gauge how much jewellery you will be packing. Try and select items that are versatile and can be worn with multiple outfits to streamline your packing.
Holidays are also a great time to bring out pieces that you might not normally wear, like ankle bracelets, or brighter gemstones that will shine against holiday sunsets!
Once you’ve got an understanding of the jewellery pieces that you want to take, you can find the best solution to protect your jewellery while travelling.
How to pack your jewellery safely
The best way to pack jewellery is to use a dedicated travel jewellery case or jewellery rolls. These are specifically designed to transport all types of jewellery, with sections for earrings, necklaces and rings that keep them tangle-free and safe. These are a great option if you are bringing multiple pieces of jewellery, or you want to make extra sure your necklaces won’t get tangled or knotted.
However, there are many budget-friendly ways to transport your jewellery while travelling. Try to keep the jewellery bags and pouches, or ring boxes that come when purchasing jewellery, as these are great for transporting jewellery while travelling. To keep your necklaces from tangling, remember to put one necklace in each pouch.
Don’t wear your jewellery while travelling
Often, when travelling through security at airports, you will be asked to remove your jewellery. To avoid unnecessary hold-ups or delays while you take off, then put back on your jewellery, don’t wear your jewellery when travelling. It will also avoid the possibility of losing jewellery by leaving anything in the security trays.
Instead pack the majority of your jewellery and wear minimal pieces. When packing your jewellery, always carry your jewellery in your hand luggage. This means you can be reassured they are safe and close at hand, allowing you to check they’re still safe and sound throughout your journey.
Make sure your jewellery is insured
It’s always good to have a comprehensive travel insurance policy when going on holiday in case of emergencies.
If you are taking particularly expensive or sentimental jewellery away with you, such as wedding or engagement rings or luxury watches, check what your policy covers when it comes to individual item value. You can also check your home insurance policy, as this might already cover high-value items when travelling.
If not, it might be worth taking out individual insurance for these precious pieces, for extra peace of mind. For most insurance policies, you will need proof of value. This could be in the form of receipts. While this is good if you have them, for some older pieces or even heirloom vintage jewellery, you may not have the original receipt. In this instance, you can get a full jewellery valuation, where you receive all the documentation, such as certificates of valuation, required for insurance policies.
Overall, ensuring your valuable jewellery is covered by some form of insurance, whether it’s travel, home or stand-alone will mean your precious pieces are protected from theft, loss or damage while you travel.
How to keep your jewellery safe while you’re on holiday
Once you’ve arrived at your destination with your jewellery in check, there are additional measures you can take to ensure that they remain safe while you enjoy your holiday.
Use your hotel safe
Many hotels, apartments and even Airbnbs provide free-to-use safes in your room. Not only are these great for storing valuables like your passport, additional currency and home keys, they are the perfect place to keep your jewellery items when you’re not wearing them.
It’s especially important to keep high-value items in the safe, as not only will this deter theft, but it might also be a requirement from your insurance policy.
Avoid wearing jewellery while swimming, sweating or wearing suncream
Chemicals like chlorine and suncream and even sweat can damage and dull your jewellery, especially when exposed consistently over a period of time.
If you’re planning a pool day, leave your jewellery at home. Not only can the chlorine pose a threat to your jewellery, you risk losing your jewellery and not realising until it’s too late to find it. Similarly, even the beach isn’t an ideal place for previous jewellery. Sand can be incredibly abrasive and cause scratches on softer metals or gemstones, like silver or opals.
While suncream is essential for protecting your face and body from sun exposure, it can be damaging to jewellery. Equally, sweat can also cause some tarnishing on jewellery.
Generally, it’s best to leave your jewellery at home during the day when you’re on holiday to avoid them getting damaged, tarnished or lost. Instead, keep your jewellery for evening wear, when you can really appreciate them, enhance your evening holiday ‘fits while also keeping them safe.
Final thoughts
When taking jewellery on holiday, planning, packing and protection are all key to keeping them safe on the duration of your trip, from travelling to while you’re at your destination.
Avoid taking too many pieces, ensure you have insurance for any high-value items and removing jewellery during the day to avoid exposure to sweat, suncream, sand and chlorine will mean that your jewellery will come back in one-piece.
