This is Part 1 of a three-post series on how to travel with jewelry.
You're getting ready to take off for some much needed rest and relaxation. (Unless you're traveling for work, in which case we apologize for teasing!)
Visions of white sandy beaches and drinks with little umbrellas dance in your head. Or maybe you're picturing yourself at the tiptop of that mountain peak.
Either way, you have some business to take care of before you leave. Some jewelry business.
Check off each of the following six to-dos to ensure your jewelry is as vacation-ready as you are.
1. Decide which jewelry to bring
The best way to ensure your jewelry doesn't meet a sad fate on vacation is to leave it behind. Only bring what you really need, focusing on a few must haves and filling in the rest with inexpensive costume jewelry.
Struggling to narrow down to just a few of your favorites? Check out our picks for 5 Pieces of Must Have Jewelry to Build a Capsule Jewelry Wardrobe.
2. Take a visual inventory
Once you know what you're going to bring, take some time to document each piece (if you haven't already).
This information will be vital if you end up needing to file a claim or in case your lost jewelry is turned in to authorities and you need proof of ownership to recover it.
For more information on why and how to document your jewelry, read our other post: Why You Need to Keep a Personal Jewelry Inventory.
3. Update any appraisals
Another precaution that will help immensely if you do need to file an insurance claim - updating any outdated appraisals for pieces you're taking along. Jewelry should be appraised at least once every other year to stay up-to-date with jewelry market fluctuations.
Read up on some appraisal basics to make sure you get the right type and pay a reasonable price.
4. Alert your insurance company
Assuming your jewelry is insured, it's a good practice to alert your insurance company of your travels before you jet off.
Unless you know you have worldwide travel coverage, you may need to ask a couple questions to make sure you'll be covered while you're away from home.
5. Properly pack your jewelry
Once all the administrative precautions are out of the way, it's time to start preparing your jewelry for takeoff.
Generally speaking, you want to make sure each piece is stored separately, in a soft pouch or container, to eliminate tangling and scratching.
Watch these videos on how-to for some simple jewelry packing hacks
6. Safely store your other jewelry
If you leave your other jewelry at home, store it in a safe if you can. If you don't have a safe, choose an inconspicuous location - not your jewelry box.
You can also consider renting a safety deposit box at the post office or leaving your pieces with your jeweler. (It's a great chance for a professional inspection and cleaning!)
Now that you know these great safety tips for traveling with jewelry, how are you going to remember them all?
We made some checklists for that. Check out our Guide to Traveling with Jewelry and use it as a quick reference next time you're ready to take off on your next adventure!
Missed Parts 2 & 3 of the series? Check them out now:
