Travelling with jewellery presents unique challenges. You want to look your best at that wedding in Bali or business meeting in Singapore, but you also don't want to risk losing or damaging your precious pieces. From preventing tangles in your suitcase to navigating airport security, this guide covers everything you need to know about travelling safely with your jewellery.
Before You Go: Planning What to Pack
The first rule of travelling with jewellery is to pack only what you'll actually wear. Each piece you bring is a piece that could be lost, stolen, or damaged. Be ruthless in your selection.
Create a Travel Jewellery Capsule
Build a small, versatile collection specifically for travel:
- One pair of everyday earrings: Something comfortable you can sleep in if needed
- One statement pair: For dressier occasions
- One versatile necklace: That works with multiple outfits
- One bracelet or watch: Your everyday piece
- Minimal rings: Just what you normally wear daily
Leave Valuables at Home
Seriously consider leaving your most valuable or sentimental pieces behind. That irreplaceable heirloom engagement ring? The diamond studs that were a 20th anniversary gift? These belong in a safe at home, not in luggage that could be lost or a hotel room that could be accessed by strangers.
Packing Your Jewellery Safely
How you pack your jewellery is just as important as what you pack. Proper packing prevents damage and makes security screening easier.
Invest in a Travel Jewellery Case
A dedicated travel jewellery case is the best investment you can make for travelling with jewellery. Look for these features:
- Compact size that fits in your carry-on
- Individual compartments to keep pieces separated
- Soft lining to prevent scratching
- Secure closure (zipper or snap)
- Necklace hooks or straps to prevent tangling
- Ring rolls or holders
- Earring sections that keep pairs together
DIY Packing Solutions
If you don't have a travel case, these household items work surprisingly well:
- Pill organisers: Perfect for rings and earrings
- Drinking straws: Thread chains through straws to prevent tangling (genius!)
- Button bags: Small sealable bags for individual pieces
- Eyeglass cases: Padded protection for a few pieces
- Washcloths: Roll jewellery in a washcloth and secure with a rubber band
The Straw Trick
This is our favourite travel hack: Thread a delicate chain through a drinking straw, then fasten the clasp. The straw prevents kinking and tangling, even in the jostling of travel. Use different coloured straws to distinguish between necklaces.
Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage
This is non-negotiable: Always pack jewellery in your carry-on luggage. There are several important reasons for this:
- Theft risk: Checked bags are handled by many people and are out of your sight
- Loss risk: If your checked bag is lost, your jewellery is gone
- Damage risk: Checked bags are thrown, stacked, and compressed
- Insurance issues: Many travel insurance policies don't cover jewellery in checked bags
Navigating Airport Security
Airport security can be stressful with jewellery. Here's how to handle it smoothly:
Wearing Jewellery Through Security
Most fine jewellery won't trigger metal detectors. You can typically wear:
- Small earrings
- Thin necklaces
- Wedding rings
- Watches (though you may be asked to remove them)
However, larger pieces, especially those with heavy metal content, may set off alarms. Chunky bracelets, statement necklaces, and multiple rings are more likely to trigger additional screening.
Removing Jewellery for Screening
If you need to remove jewellery at security:
- Remove it before you reach the conveyor belt
- Place small items in a zippered pocket of your carry-on bag
- Never place jewellery loose in the security bin—it can roll away or be picked up by someone else
- Watch your belongings carefully as they emerge from the scanner
- Verify you have everything before walking away
Keeping Jewellery Safe During Your Trip
At Your Accommodation
Your hotel room or rental is not a safe place for valuable jewellery. Consider these precautions:
- Use the room safe: Better than nothing, though not foolproof
- Use the front desk safe: More secure than in-room safes, get a receipt
- Wear it or lock it: Never leave jewellery out in the open
- Be discreet: Don't let housekeeping see you handling valuable items
Hotel Safe Tip
In-room hotel safes can be reset by staff or sophisticated thieves. If you're bringing valuable pieces, request the hotel's secure storage at the front desk instead. Always get written documentation of what you've stored.
While Out and About
Be aware of your jewellery while exploring:
- Keep rings on your fingers (they're safer there than in a bag)
- Avoid flashy displays in unfamiliar areas
- Turn rings inward in crowded places
- Be cautious at beaches and pools—water, sand, and chlorine all damage jewellery
- Consider leaving statement pieces at the hotel for casual sightseeing
Insurance and Documentation
Before travelling with valuable jewellery, take these protective steps:
- Photograph everything: Take clear photos of each piece before packing
- Review your insurance: Understand what's covered, especially for travel
- Get appraisals: For valuable pieces, have current appraisals on file
- Keep records accessible: Store documentation in cloud storage or email it to yourself
Returning Home
Customs declarations may be required when returning to Australia with jewellery, especially valuable pieces or items that appear new. Keep receipts for any jewellery purchased abroad, and be prepared to declare items valued over the duty-free allowance.
Once home, inspect your pieces for any damage that occurred during travel and address any issues promptly. Then return everything to its proper storage—your jewellery has had an adventure too and deserves a rest in its comfortable home.