With May bank holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the long weekends and head somewhere hot and sunny.
But whilst we all love a holiday abroad or a UK staycation, it can often be stressful deciding whether or not to pack your favourite jewellery. Whether it’s worrying about your necklaces getting tangled, or your favourite ring getting stolen, Emily Dixon, Design Consultant and Gemmologist at Queensmith have shared top tips for keeping your jewellery items safe while on holiday.
- Pack effectively
If you don’t feel like wearing all your jewellery at one, opt for a travel jewellery box, which is great for looking after multiple pieces of jewellery and saving any smaller items from getting lost.
Usually, a travel jewellery box is equipped with different compartments for different pieces of jewellery, which will be handy for preventing tangling.
If you’ve booked a trip away at the last minute and don’t have the time to purchase one, there’s no need to worry as you can use pill cases as an alternative! The secure plastic cases are ideal for storing items like stud earrings, rings, and other small pieces of jewellery, with each item having its own compartment to prevent tangling, scratching, and maintaining organisation.
To prevent tangling, you could also use a straw. Feed one end of the chain through a straw and then clasp it to the other end.
- Use the hotel safe
If you’re planning on bringing with you some of your favourite jewellery staples, but you don’t want to have to wear them the whole time, safes provide a means to keep your items safe.
Additionally, it’s crucial to store your precious jewellery items at room temperature and away from sunlight or heat, particularly for more delicate coloured stones such as pearls. Keeping them in a safe away from any windows or sunlight will help ensure that your precious jewellery stays in excellent condition during your travels.
- Know when and when not to wear your jewellery
An important part of keeping your jewellery safe is knowing when not to wear it. There are several instances on holiday when you might want to leave your jewellery at home or remove it temporarily to avoid any damage.
If you find yourself at a hotel with a pool, make sure to take off your jewellery before jumping in. Chlorine can cause discoloration to precious metals like gold and can even weaken the metal over time. Sterling silver jewellery can also tarnish when exposed to chlorine due to its chemical composition.
Not only should you remove your jewellery before going in the pool, but the same applies for in the sea. Salt water can erode layers of your jewellery, which can eventually lead to the metal weakening. As well as risks of damage, the likelihood of losing your jewellery is also much higher.
We would recommend planning ahead and leaving your jewellery at the hotel if you anticipate a pool or beach day. This is preferable to removing it at the beach or poolside, which could result in loss or damage.
- Use resealable bags
Holidays are the perfect excuse to wear bigger, statement jewellery pieces that we may not normally wear on a daily basis. When transporting statement jewellery or bigger pieces that you don’t wear regularly, a top tip is to pack each item individually in small bags or pouches, and then place them inside a travel jewellery box. Using small, sealable plastic bags can be an affordable way to store your jewellery, preventing chains from tangling and pieces from scratching one another.
You can also wrap your jewellery in a layer or two of tissue paper before inserting them into the bags – this can just add an extra layer of protection!
- Make a checklist
To keep as organised as possible, make a list of all the jewellery you’re bringing on holiday with you. This can help you keep track of it and it’ll make it easier to know if something is missing. You can also take photos on your phone which can be beneficial for insurance purposes.
- Insure your jewellery
If you’re thinking of bringing some of your most valuable jewellery, it could be beneficial to consider insuring it for peace of mind.
Find a policy that covers your items while abroad and out of the home, and make sure they are covered on a ‘like for like’ basis, with cover for theft, damage and loss. Covering ‘like for like means your insurance will cover you buying or recreating the same piece of jewellery with the same jeweller.
- Research your holiday destination
Another way to protect your jewellery is by doing research on the safety of your holiday destination whilst also trusting your gut instinct. Taking anything valuable such as precious jewellery pieces on holiday always carries some risk.
If your holiday destination is known for pickpockets or theft, or your gut instinct tells you not to take your jewellery out, then we would recommend keeping it secure in the hotel safe. You could also consider packing a placeholder, holiday engagement ring. This way you can relax and enjoy your travels without constantly checking your finger or removing your ring for activities.
