You’ve booked your transport, arranged accommodation, and secured excursion tickets. Now it’s time for the hard part — packing.
Deciding what to take on your trip might seem like a mammoth task, so we’re on hand to make things easier.
This comprehensive guide features everything about how to travel with jewellery, including choosing what to pack, organising your pieces, safety tips, and jewellery travel insurance.
Enjoy hassle-free holiday prep and arrive at your destination ready to shine, dazzle, and sparkle confidently.
How to travel with jewellery: essential tips
These essential tips are a great place to start when considering how to travel with your jewellery. From choosing items to bring with you to where to pack your pieces, this checklist provides a quick overview of things to remember before you embark on your trip.
Choose which jewellery to take
Try to resist the temptation to pack all your jewellery and figure out the details later. While this approach may be quicker, you could lose or damage some of your favourite pieces if improperly handled.
Plan your outfits and select which jewellery goes best with each set. You’ll also want to evaluate the significance and value of what pieces you want to take — packing expensive or sentimental items has risks, and you need to be prepared for potential accidents.
Prioritise jewellery that’s practical, versatile, and complements your travel activities. For example, a sandy beach holiday might not be the best place for your family heirloom. Choose durable items that withstand varying climates and consider the size and weight of the jewellery for more efficient packing.
Pack safely and securely
Pack your jewellery safely and securely to prevent protect your items during the journey.
Use a dedicated jewellery case or organiser and consider wrapping individual pieces in soft fabric or tissue paper for increased protection. Separate your delicate pieces to avoid tangling or scratching, and place your essential and frequently worn items within easy reach. It also helps to avoid overpacking — this will make searching for specific pieces harder and could cause damage while rummaging to find them.
If your luggage has a designated jewellery compartment or pocket, use it! If not, place them in your bag or suitcase in a cushioned container.
Understand transport regulations
This tip primarily applies to plane travel — understanding airline and security regulations is essential.
Unless your jewellery is minimal and delicate, you’ll probably need to remove it when you pass through security scanners. In this case, you should place it in a clear plastic case in your hand luggage so the airport staff can see the contents.
Consider the risk of loss or theft when placing your jewellery in checked baggage. Airlines have different policies for lost or stolen luggage, and your insurance provider will likely only cover up to a certain amount. Before packing precious items, understand the procedures and what’s covered during your trip.
How to store necklaces without tangling when travelling
Tangled necklaces are one the most common challenges to travelling with jewellery. Proper storage helps avoid muddled chains and preserves necklace quality.
Detangle your necklaces before placing them into an organiser, jewellery roll, or travel case with a dedicated necklace compartment. Ensure to properly fasten hooks or clasps so they don’t come undone and tangle.
If you have a lot of necklaces, consider sliding the chains through straws to maintain their shape. You can also secure the necklace ends with tape or elastic bands to stop them from moving during travel. If you can, store them in a flat position in your luggage.
Carefully unpack your necklaces once you arrive at your destination, utilising any jewellery trees or hooks if your accommodation has them. If not, separate the necklaces and lie flat on a soft, secure surface.
Packing jewellery for travel: best practices
Knowing how to store jewellery for travel is crucial to protecting your items.
Use a jewellery case
Browse the different types of travel jewellery cases and rolls available before your trip. Choose one that suits your storage needs and preferences, considering features like compartments, hooks, and pouches where you can pack your various pieces. Remember to look at the durability and portability of the case or roll — it must fit in your bag and be robust enough to protect your items.
Organise by type and size
Categorise your jewellery into groups based on type, such as earrings, rings, and necklaces. This makes it easier to find relevant items during your holiday. Sort them by size, material, or occasion. Use separate compartments or pouches for each jewellery category, and consider labelling or colour-coding each one for easy identification.
Use protective pouches and materials
Using protective pouches and materials to pack your jewellery helps prevent scratches and damage during travel.
Use soft fabric to wrap delicate and valuable pieces in individual compartments to avoid contact and friction. Drawstring bags — which often come with your item’s purchase — are ideal for transporting jewellery.
Plastic zipper pouches provide extra protection from moisture or spillages in your case. Consider anti-static cloths for storing gemstones or metals and anti-tarnish paper or strips to prevent silver jewellery from tarnishing. Avoid overcrowding your jewellery wherever packed — this helps stop tangling and marks.
How to carry jewellery when travelling: safety advice
It’s essential to carry your jewellery safely and responsibly when travelling, especially if heading to unfamiliar places or busy areas.
Choose appropriate jewellery
Consider the appropriateness of wearing jewellery based on your destination and activities before you pack any items. There might be better places to bring your favourite pieces than a holiday with many beach or water activities.
Choose subtle and understated pieces that blend with your attire, avoiding excessive or flashy jewellery that could attract unwanted attention from thieves. You should also consider your destination’s cultural norms and customs when choosing jewellery to wear.
Watch your surroundings
Be mindful of your surroundings when out and about during your trip. Don’t leave your jewellery unattended, even for short periods, and keep valuable jewellery hidden or securely fastened when not in use. Remember to stay vigilant in crowded places, such as transportation and tourist hotspots.
Wear alternative accessories or costume jewellery resembling your more expensive pieces in busier places for increased security. You should also be discreet when discussing or mentioning your valuable items in conversations, especially in public areas.
Use a safe
Ask about your hotel’s safety and security measures before you book accommodation. Once you’ve arrived, take advantage of hotel room safes or secure storage facilities, storing jewellery, documents, and other vital items in the safe. You could also utilise additional security measures such as combination locks or personal mini safes for extra peace of mind.
How to travel with expensive jewellery: extra precautions
Some people like to take extra precautions if they must travel with expensive jewellery, such as attending a wedding, party, or other special occasions.
What is jewellery travel insurance?
Travel insurance for expensive jewellery ensures your valuable pieces are adequately covered if anything goes wrong while away. It typically protects against loss, damage, theft, or accidental disappearance of your jewellery during your trip.
Before choosing a policy, carefully review it to understand coverage limits — there may be maximum coverage limits per item, claim, or policy period. You also need to ensure coverage adequately protects the value of your jewellery.
Some policies won’t protect against certain situations. Standard exclusions include general wear and tear, loss due to negligence or carelessness, loss when left unattended in an unsafe place, or loss caused by war, terrorism, or natural disasters.
Policies may also have limitations or exclusions for pre-existing conditions related to the jewellery, such as pre-existing damage or defects. Be sure to understand these clauses and how they might impact your coverage.
The excess (what you pay if you need to make a claim) for jewellery travel insurance varies depending on the total value of the jewellery, policy type, and the travel destination. Compare different insurance providers to find the most suitable coverage at a competitive price.
Documenting jewellery
It’s essential to properly document your jewellery if you need to make a claim. Create an inventory of your expensive jewellery before you travel, documenting detailed descriptions, including materials, gemstones, and other unique features. Take clear photographs of each piece from different angles, keeping digital and physical copies.
Making a claim
Familiarise yourself with the claim filing process and any specific requirements the insurance provider outlines. Promptly inform the provider and appropriate authorities if your jewellery is lost, stolen or damaged during your travels.
How to use a jewellery roll
A jewellery roll helps keep your jewellery organised and protected when you travel. It’s a convenient way to transport your chosen items and saves space in your suitcase or bag.
Follow these steps when using a jewellery roll:
- Choose your pieces and organise them appropriately.
- Open the jewellery roll and lay it on a flat, clean surface. Inspect the roll’s compartments and pockets to determine how best to use them.
- Select the most suitable pockets and compartments for each jewellery piece. Place necklaces in designated necklace holders or pouches, secure watches and bracelets in the loops or straps, use earring holders for earrings, and insert rings into ring holders or small pockets.
- Make sure each item is properly fastened and secure in its compartment.
- Fold and roll the jewellery roll, starting at one end.
- Ensure the roll is snug before fastening the closure, such as a zip, button, or tie.
- Put the jewellery roll securely in your luggage and avoid placing heavy or sharp objects on top.
You might also like
