As many of you start planning your summer vacations, it’s important to note the best ways to safeguard your fine jewelry while traveling. The importance of getting this right can’t be overstated.
In a recent survey by Jewelers Mutual, a jewelry-specific insurance company, nearly all respondents admitted bringing their treasured pieces on holiday, while a surprisingly large number also reported suffering a loss.
The risks of traveling with jewelry are there—now how do we safeguard our beloved pieces?
The Real Risks of Traveling with Jewelry
For many women, their engagement ring is, by far, the most expensive piece of jewelry they own, yet 80% of respondents regularly travel with it.
The pleasure of wearing your best jewelry on holiday has to be weighed against the risks. The Jewelers Mutual survey revealed that a whopping 35% of respondents reported losing jewelry away from home. Hotel rooms emerged as the most common location for such misfortunes.
4 Tips for Traveling with Jewelry Safely
Traveling with fine jewelry can add a touch of elegance and familiarity to your journey, but it also requires thoughtful planning. The right precautions can help ensure your pieces stay secure from departure to return.
1. Bring the Right Pieces for the Type of Trip
Jewelers Mutual recommends balancing fashion options with the purpose of your trip. If you are going to a beach resort, you may get away with a few pieces of casual jewelry or no jewelry at all. If you’re traveling for work or attending a destination wedding, it’s likely your best jewelry will be making the trip.
2. Take Inventory Before You Leave
Says Jewelers Mutual, “Be sure to take an inventory of the pieces you choose to bring for your records. Pack them securely in your carry-on bag, and wear any jewelry that is appropriate for your travel attire. For added security, avoid wearing overly flashy or expensive jewelry while traveling.”
3. Keep Your Belongings With You
Make sure to keep the carry-on bag in your sight at all times. That includes offers of help from airport staff, cab drivers, bellhops, and the like.
If you do decide to remove your jewelry for whatever reason, put it into your carry-on bag, not in a TSA bin or bowl.
Never, never, never pack your fine jewelry in checked luggage.
4. Insure Your Fine Jewelry
According to the survey, approximately 40% of respondents said they insure their travel jewelry. Yet, nearly half of these individuals rely on their homeowners’ policies, which typically have lower, insufficient coverage limits for jewelry.
In fact, about 50% of travelers reported being unsure whether their insurance policies provided adequate coverage while traveling abroad.
Travelers with insurance were more likely to secure their jewelry in hotel safes and dedicated travel cases, while those without insurance tended to keep their jewelry close by during their travels, reported Jewelers Mutual.
The study also revealed that younger adults are more likely to opt for specialized jewelry insurance, recognizing the unique advantages it offers in safeguarding their precious possessions beyond traditional homeowners’ or renters’ policies.
A Note on Appraisals
Jewelry-specific insurance companies typically require an appraisal for each piece of jewelry that will be insured. The average jewelry appraisal costs between $150 to $250 per item. The good news is that once you have submitted it to insurance, it doesn't need to be re-appraised for about 5 years.
Neeter House of Luxury offers in-store jewelry appraisals from our certified graduate gemologist. Click here to learn more about the appraisal process, or contact us to set up a time to bring your items in.
Travel With Jewelry Without Worry
Traveling with fine jewelry can elevate your vacation experience, but it also requires thoughtful planning and precaution. A few intentional steps can significantly reduce risk. With the right approach, you can enjoy your favorite pieces with greater confidence, wherever your travels take you.
“Our goal is to educate and empower consumers to safeguard their jewelry so they can wear it without worry,” said Howard Stone, vice president of Global Risk Services and Analytics at Jewelers Mutual. “The insights gained from our latest study underscore the need for more informed decision-making when it comes to traveling with jewelry, and we are committed to being a trusted advisor for loss prevention education and helping consumers keep themselves and their jewelry safe.”
*The Jewelers Mutual study of 1,500 adults was conducted in February of 2025 via an online research panel and surveyed via online self-completion.