Estimates reveal that around a third of travellers have lost a piece of jewellery while away, raising an important question: should you really take your best jewellery on holiday?
A holiday should be a chance to relax, not spend every day worrying about a valuable ring, necklace or watch. And while you may enjoy taking your favourite jewellery away with you, it is worth thinking carefully before packing your most expensive or sentimentally valuable pieces.
This is because travel can expose jewellery to risks that you may not encounter at home, including loss, theft, accidental damage and simple misplacement.
So, before deciding what to take, ask yourself one question: do you really need to travel with your best jewellery?
Is it safe to wear expensive jewellery on holiday?
Even the most careful traveller can have an accident. Jewellery can be left in a hotel room safe, dropped in a swimming pool, forgotten in a changing room or stolen from luggage. You could even “hide” it somewhere so safe that you forget where you put it!
Popular tourist destinations can sometimes attract opportunistic thieves who target visitors wearing expensive watches, diamond rings and luxury jewellery.
There are environmental risks too. Salt water, chlorine, sand and sun cream can all affect certain types of jewellery. Rings can slip off more easily in cold water, while warm weather can cause fingers to swell, making jewellery uncomfortable to wear.
Our blogs Caring for your jewellery in the summer and What chemicals and activities can damage your jewellery explore these risks in more detail.
Think carefully before taking your most valuable pieces
For many people, the safest option may be to simply leave their precious items at home, in a secure location. If you’d be devastated if an item were lost, damaged or stolen, it may be worth considering an alternative while you are away.
What jewellery should you take on holiday?
You could choose to leave expensive jewellery at home and wear lower-value alternatives instead. Costume jewellery and less valuable pieces can still provide the look you want for evenings out without exposing treasured items to unnecessary risk.
Couples who spend a lot of time in the water may choose silicone wedding bands while travelling. They cost a fraction of the price of a precious metal ring and can save a great deal of worry if you are spending your holiday in the sea or around a pool.
You could even buy a local artisan piece while you are away. Not only does it support local makers, but it also gives you a unique reminder of your holiday without risking your most valuable jewellery.
Before travelling, it is also worth reviewing our Travel guide for taking your jewellery abroad which explains practical steps that may help protect valuable items while travelling and highlights some of the insurance considerations that may apply.
Should I take my best jewellery on holiday?
Ultimately, the decision comes down to balancing enjoyment against risk.
If you do decide to travel with your best jewellery, taking sensible precautions and understanding your jewellery insurance arrangements may help reduce the risk of an unpleasant surprise turning an enjoyable holiday into an expensive one. Make sure you are aware of any insurance policy terms and conditions regarding security, when you take your valuable items abroad.
Disclaimer: Insurance cover, limits and exclusions vary between policies. Always check your policy documentation and insurer requirements before travelling with valuable jewellery.
