After these cold temperatures who's ready fell the sand beneath your toes?
Hear are some ways to keep those valuables safe!
What to bring — and what to leave at home
No matter where you’re traveling or for how long, keep in mind a vacation is a break from routine and daily worries. For most leisure travel, the simple rule is don’t bring anything you’re going to worry about losing. It’s best to leave items of great monetary or emotional value at home unless they’re a key part of how you plan to outfit yourself for a special trip event.
For the most part, stick with just a few neutral pieces — small hoop or stud earrings, a small pendant, a chain-link bracelet — that will work with multiple outfits. But throw in a few whimsical statement pieces, too. They’ll dress up even your most basic travel outfit. And since you’re sticking to less expensive jewelry, you can likely afford to go trendy.
Consider alternatives for your wedding finger
Depending on your destination and activities, it’s often best to leave your engagement ring at home and wear just your more subdued wedding band.
If you’re bound for the wilderness or abroad, or just don’t want to worry about losing or caring for fine jewelry, consider swapping out both for a less expensive (but equally meaningful) travel band on your wedding finger.
Maybe you still want the look of your diamond engagement or wedding ring but don’t want to risk your own. Consider a look-a-like at a fraction of the cost. Colorless or “white” gems, like white topaz or crystal, can play the part of your pricier and more emotionally precious diamond jewelry.
If you do choose to travel with any fine jewelry, this is a good time to set up jewelry insurance for those pieces if you haven’t already.
How to pack jewelry for travel
Travel jewelry case: If you travel frequently, it might make sense to invest in a travel case made specifically for jewelry. (These are sometimes called travel jewelry organizers or jewelry rolls.) It doesn’t have to be pricey, but a good travel jewelry case will have compartments to keep your individual jewelry items both organized and free from tangles and scratching.
Straws: Keep necklace chains tangle-free by slipping one end through a drinking straw (one chain per straw) then closing the clasp. Put all the straws in a toothbrush holder to keep your necklaces safe and contained. Do you also have a chunky necklace or two in the mix? Follow the same process using a toilet paper tube.
Index cards: Keep earrings organized and easy-to-find by using a safety pin to poke holes through an index card then inserting earrings and sealing the backs. Wrap a cloth around the card then pack it with the rest of your jewelry.
Buttons: This trick works to keep earring pairs together for travel and at home. If you have spare buttons (especially larger ones), pair your earrings through the holes and seal the backs, one earring pair per button. When you’re packing for a trip, put the buttons you want to take in a small ziplock bag or wrap them in a small cloth for added protection.
Daily pill box: You know those seven-day pill boxes used to manage weekly pill doses? They’re the perfect size for storing individual earrings, rings and even smaller bracelets and necklaces. By putting just one item (or earring pair) in a box, jewelry stays tangle-free and organized. And since the boxes are connected, you have all your jewelry in one place. A related trick: Use old prescription pill bottles to pack individual jewelry items, then place all the bottles in a larger ziplock bag.
Final words on traveling with jewelry
If you’re flying, pack jewelry in your carry-on bag. Checked bags have a much greater chance of getting lost.
And remember: You’re taking a vacation to relax and have fun, and to get away from your daily routine. Keep jewelry simple and inexpensive so it doesn’t get in the way.
www.jewelrywise.com