Jewellery Travel Advice

Jewellery is a extension of who we are. It often has sentimental value, marks special occasions, holds memories or was just a piece that you were instinctively drawn to. When travelling a little extra care can ensure that you protect your treasured pieces wherever you go. Here are my thoughts based on expert advice and recent travel‑security recommendations.

What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)

Choosing wisely is your first layer of protection.

Leave irreplaceable or highly sentimental pieces at home — experts recommend keeping heirlooms and one‑of‑a‑kind items in a secure place while you are away.

Of course, if you are going to a special event, you might want to bring a special piece of your jewellery to complement your outfit, and if so, you need to think of the environment you are going to, and take extra precautions for the care and safety of your jewellery.

Generally select versatile pieces that match multiple outfits so you don’t overpack or carry unnecessary valuables.

Plan jewellery with your outfits rather than tossing pieces in last‑minute.

Tip: Bring a little polishing cloth if you have one. Jewellery can pick up sunscreen, dust, and natural oils while you travel. A soft, lint-free cloth allows you to gently clean your pieces after wear. This small addition to your travel kit helps maintain brilliance on the go.

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💫 How to Pack Jewellery Safely

Use a proper travel jewellery pouch or box with compartments, padding, and an anti-tangle design. These are specifically designed to:

• Keep pieces separated to avoid scratching

• Prevent chains from knotting

• Minimise exposure to humidity and dust

A compact case or pouch with a zip closure and soft interior is best.

If you don’t have one, pill boxes can work quite well for rings and earrings with cotton pads separating each item. Put necklaces in zip lock bags, leaving a bit of chain outside the seal, or thread chains through straws, to prevent tangling. Do not put pearls in a ziplock bag though.

Tip: Simply roll your necklaces in a piece of soft cloth adding a necklace with each roll.

Carry jewellery in your hand luggage, never in checked bags, which are more prone to loss or theft.

At Your Destination

Use the hotel safe whenever you’re not wearing your jewellery. This protects items from heat, sunlight, and risk of theft.

Avoid wearing jewellery in pools or the sea — chlorine and salt water can damage metals and tarnish silver.

Don’t leave jewellery on nightstands, by sinks, or near pools, where it’s easy to misplace or forget them.

Be discreet in unfamiliar areas to avoid drawing attention to valuables.

Never bring valuables to the beach. (My friend has a disaster story on this one😢)

If you need to bring a special piece for an event photograph it, and note identifying details like hallmarks or stone types. This helps with identification and insurance claims if something goes wrong.

Tip: Do not leave jewellery in your suitcase on your last evening or if you are checking out early and leaving tour suitcase at the hotel to be collected later. This is the optimum time for theft because you won’t notice what’s missing until you get home.

Consider leaving space for souvenirs — many destinations offer beautiful local jewellery worth bringing home.

If you would like your Original Strands jewellery to have a professional clean before you leave just drop me a line to Kwoollett@originalstrands.com to arrange 😍