Holidays are the absolute best, that much is true, but travelling always comes with its risks and checklists so it’s important to be prepared for any potential twists. This applies to everything from packing your comfy shoes for excursions to asking your best friend to water the plants, so it’s extra important to make sure your most valuable possessions, like fine jewellery, are also protected.
If you wear your engagement and wedding rings every day, you could be so used to them that it might seem like an afterthought to consider doing anything specific. In reality, there’s actually a little more to think about. From storing to cleaning, and most importantly, insurance, we take you through all the things you need to remember before jetting off.
This is the big one. It’s really important to ensure your jewellery’s insured. You most likely have some sort of jewellery insurance in place already but double-check if your policy covers loss, theft, or damage while travelling.
If you’re getting specific travel insurance, have a good read of the T&Cs to see if it applies to your rings. Remember to pack the proof of insurance and have it to hand (or have it flagged in your emails) when you’re wearing it abroad. You can never be too safe when diamonds and precious gemstones are involved.
This might be one of those things that doesn’t immediately spring to mind in the way that ‘pack your passport’ does, but preparing proper documentation is pretty important. If you haven’t done so already, take photos of your jewellery before you go away.
This will help with identification if it’s lost or stolen and you’ll be able to see if any damage occurs. Also make sure to keep copies of receipts, appraisals and any certificates of authenticity.
When traversing the world it’s always a good idea to use a travel jewellery case with individual compartments to prevent scratching and tangling.
Either that or little individual pouches or bags that hold each piece separately, trust us, it’ll help in the long run.
It’s especially important for those items that hold a lot of meaning. Top tip: pack jewellery in your carry-on luggage, not in checked baggage. You want to be able to keep an eye on it at all times.
If you take your rings off, for example, to go to the beach or on a vigorous excursion, use hotel safes or lockboxes for storing them.
If you’re more of an ‘off the beaten track’ traveller, it might be a good idea to either leave your valuables at home or keep them on you at all times. Maybe a secret, super-secure pocket or wear them as a necklace.
It’s probably best to avoid leaving your jewellery unattended in your hotel room or luggage.
Depending on where you’re going, you’ll want to keep your rings nice and clean. Let’s say you’re off on a beach holiday, you should remove your jewellery before you apply the factor 50. Ditto, after you get that first day sunburn and are applying the aloe vera, best not to include your precious gemstones in the the process.
If you’re going skiing or mountain climbing, be mindful of the fact you’ll be wearing gloves or applying hand cream because your hands have dried or shrunk due to the cold too. Additionally, if you know you’ll be going on loads of excursions and super active, just be mindful about when and where to wear your rings.
It’s good to bring a small, soft cloth for cleaning your jewellery in case you accidentally get sun cream or olive oil from that prawn plate on it. Generally, avoid exposing your jewellery to harsh chemicals, saltwater or chlorine, which can all cause damage.
Everyone should enjoy their holidays to the fullest, and thinking about the worst-case scenario might seem a bit negative, but, it’s so important to be prepared.
As long as you’re mindful of when and where you wear your precious pieces, and have a contingency plan, you’ll be able to have the best time, but also if something does happen, you won’t go straight into panic mode.
Now, where is that pesky passport?
