By Alyssa Arroyo

When traveling it’s essential to keep your Jewelry safe, here are a few ways to secure your valuable and sentimental jewelry as you travel.

When going through security at the airport it’s okay to keep your jewelry on, it’s even encouraged by the TSA. You can wear a majority of your jewelry through the metal detectors without a problem. In the case that the metal detector does go off due to bulky or heavy pieces, the officer can inspect you there or you can ask to go to a private room so they can assess and examine you properly without unnecessary attention to your valuable jewelry.

DON’TS

You can wear all of your jewelry through security but it would be unwise to walk through with most of your necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings on all at the same time as you pass through the security checkpoints. So where do you keep the jewelry you’re not wearing? It’s vital to keep your jewelry close in a carry-on that will be on your person at all times. Be sure to place this jewelry in your carry-on prior to getting to the security point as you don’t want to forget, lose, or cause unwanted attention to the important pieces of jewelry you might be traveling with. Don’t place your jewelry in your checked luggage, as it can get lost or stolen. You also don’t want to place your fine jewelry in the bins or bowls used for change and money clips as they easily tip over and your items can get lost or damaged on the conveyer belt.

DO’S

Carry your jewelry in a travel jewelry case that has a zipper component in order to enclose your jewelry, and it should have a dedicated space for items like your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. A pearl folder or jewelry pouch work well for organization and keeping your things from getting tangled and disrupted. Another way to carry your jewelry is in a travel jewelry roll (foldable/rollable) soft fabric or leather organizer that can keep your jewelry all together and compact for safe keeping in your carry- on.

For quick at home organization when you’re on the go or try reusing your household items, buttons, cardboard, straws, pill boxes, and towels, they can provide useful storage solutions.

• Buttons: You can place studs or any earrings with posts into the holes on your buttons and secure them with an ear nut on the back so they stay together and are easy to find.
• Cardboard: Similar to buttons, you can poke holes into thick cardboard and place your earrings into the cardboard in pairs and secure with the ear nut on the back.
• Straws: Necklaces and bracelets can be slid into the straw and clasped which keep them straight and prevents tangles
• Towels: Fragile jewelry can be wrapped in a towel and placed in a tight bag to keep secure and prevent any damage throughout your trip or at home
• Pill Boxes: These can be great for separating your jewelry into individual compartments for organization and to prevent pieces rubbing together.

SMALL, SECRET, SECURE

Keep in mind that you want to pack lightly, be discreet, and keep your items secure. Jewelry can easily be lost or stolen, Natalie and Michael Hekmat, a couple from Manhattan lost $88,200 worth of jewelry. On their way to Los Angeles from New York, the couple placed a jewelry roll with 9 rings into their checked baggage and when they arrived in Los Angeles and looked through their luggage the roll was still there, but the rings had vanished. In another case, a couple of American Airlines baggage handlers stole nearly $300,000 from a suitcase belonging to David Diamond, a jewelry dealer, he lost 925 items totaling $280,000.

Although it seems that we are in safe hands while going through the airport and traveling, there are many factors that can put your items in jeopardy. Here are some extra precautions to keep your jewelry safe:

Keep it small, only take what you need. We often over pack, although we might want to bring our entire closet, it’s best to figure out what jewelry you might actually wear. Leave behind the items that are extremely valuable to you or items you most likely won’t need while you’re away. A good plan is to take 1 or 2 pairs of Eve Earrings with her special hook and bring a few different (inexpensive is best) removable drops to change their look and coordinate with your outfits.

Make a list of your Jewelry. You’ll want to keep a visual inventory of the things you’re bringing along. Take pictures of everything and if possible any receipts. This will come in handy if you insure your jewelry on your travels, which is also another option. By keeping track of your jewelry in this way you can easily see if you forgot or lost anything you came with.

To summarize, carry your jewelry personally. Your jewelry should never leave you, whether thats on the plane or in your hotel. Be sure to have your jewelry in your carry on so you are in constant contact with it and keep an eye on it throughout the journey. When you get to your destination you can keep your jewelry in a hotel safe or in a secure area to make sure it’s protected while you are away from your room

Of course we think it’s important to stay stylish everywhere you go, even on your 4am flight. Be sure that wherever you are, you can keep your jewelry safe by taking these few extra steps for organization, security, and safety.