How to Pack Jewelry for Travel: Easy DIY hacks
The easiest way to transform any outfit is by adding those go-to accessories that instantly make it feel fresh and new. While jewelry is the ultimate outfit maximizer, it also means figuring out the best way to bring your precious pieces along for the ride.
With the right storage tricks and proper packing techniques, your gems will be ready for any adventure. Keep reading for my best tips on how to pack jewelry for travel, because tangled chains and lost earrings are never on the itinerary.
From Carry-On to Cocktail Hour: How To Pack Jewelry For Travel
What Jewelry Should You Bring
The general rule of thumb is to leave anything precious, sentimental, or anything you are afraid of losing at home. The whole point of a vacation is to break away from your everyday routine, which generally means you become much more relaxed and carefree.
It can also lead to you being less careful and more distracted than normal when it comes to your jewelry. I usually try to stick with a few simple basics that can go with any outfit and a few statement pieces, nothing too valuable or flashy.
You can never be too careful when it comes to traveling with jewelry. Earrings can fall out, precious stones go missing, and the depths of the sea will forever claim your new favorite jewels.
The best jewelry for travel
The best kind of jewelry for travel should be pieces that are practical and versatile. You should aim to bring a few simple pieces that can mix and match well and can pair with multiple travel outfits, such as everyday small hoops, basic rings, and a few simple necklaces that can be layered together.
I also like to throw in a few statement pieces here and there for a bit of fun, such as one or two chunky necklaces and maybe two or three sets of funky earrings for a night out on the town.
If you’re the type of person who already wears simple everyday jewelry like me, then you’re already ahead of the game. You can simply wear your everyday set on the plane and only need to pack your fun statement pieces.
Mejuri makes some of the best everyday jewelry – pieces you can truly live in. Many of my go-to, simple favorites are from Mejuri, and their newest arrivals are definitely worth checking out.
Limiting your selection
While you may feel like you need to pack all of your jewelry, it’s best to limit your selection and only pack your go-to favorites. The idea is to pack light and only bring the pieces that you will wear. Be realistic with how much you actually need for the trip.
Are you really going to wear all ten pairs of earrings on a two-day trip to the beach? Probably not. A little goes a long way. Stick with a few everyday basics and two or three fun pieces to spice things up. You may be surprised by just how versatile your accessories can be.
Being discrete
It’s always best to leave your wedding ring or extravagant jewelry items at home. Particularly showy wedding rings can attract unwanted attention in terms of theft and pickpocketing. A great alternative would be to swap these out with more discrete, simple pieces or simply face them towards your palm so the jewels aren’t on show.
Having a placeholder wedding ring that’s cheaper and less alluring when traveling is a great idea and will help you become more at ease while you travel.
Consider jewelry insurance
Whether you plan to travel with expensive jewelry is totally up to you. It’s always a good idea to have your jewelry appraised and insured before you travel anywhere. That way, if your jewelry were to get stolen or lost, you would be covered by insurance.
Another handy tip when traveling with expensive jewelry is to make use of your hotel safe. Your room is a secure space. It’s always best to keep valuable pieces locked away in a safe place in your hotel room when they’re not in use.
Affordable Jewelry cases
Finding the right travel jewelry case doesn’t need to come with a high price tag. It just needs to have the right individual pouches and sections that will separate and organize all your precious jewelry.
Whether you prefer minimal hardshell cases, soft pouches, or a chic velvet jewelry roll, these budget-friendly organizers will do wonders at protecting your jewelry while you travel.
How to pack jewelry for travel – Best Packing Tips
Okay, so you’ve laid out all your favorite pieces that you wish to take on vacation. Now what? To keep your jewelry from becoming a hot knotted mess, I find the best way to pack your jewelry safely and tangle-free is with a good jewelry travel organizer.
These handy travel cases can be found everywhere and are made to keep your jewelry organized and safe in the best possible way and they’ve quickly become one of my go-to travel essentials. These jewelry travel organizers will save you time and stress when packing up your jewelry.
Need more of a quick fix? Consider some of the DIY jewelry packing hacks below for safekeeping.
DIY Jewelry Packing Tips
Rings
Suppose you have a lot of rings that could easily become lost. Try using a bit of foam with slits as a handmade ring organizer? Another similar way to store your rings can involve rolling up pieces of fabric and stacking them together in a box.
Simply cut the fabric into even strips and then fold all fabric strips and place them tightly in the box. Simply add your rings in between the folded strips. This helpful tutorial will show you just how quick and easy it really is.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, use an O-ring, carabiner clip, or a large safety pin to keep your rings neatly organized on the go.
Necklaces
We all know the necklace straw hack! Simply thread one end of the necklace through a drinking straw and close the clasp, keeping the necklace secure. This will stop your favourite necklaces from becoming tangled with one another during your travels. Amazon offers a wide selection of plastic straws.
For larger pieces, you could wrap them individually in plastic wrap for safekeeping or use the same straw hack as above, but with an empty toilet roll. Or another simple trick is to lay each necklace flat and separate them with tissue paper or a soft cloth, preventing scratches and reducing the chance of breakage.
Earrings
A simple pill case is a great way to separate and store your earrings or rings whilst on the road. Small dainty stud earrings or fine rings fit perfectly in the individual compartments. If you don’t happen to have one of these, you can always pick some up for cheap at your local pharmacy. Here is one I found online.
Bracelets
Take a rolled-up microfiber cloth, toilet paper r, or folded sock and slide your bracelets on just like you would if you were to wear them. This will keep your bracelets separated and prevent them from getting lost.
My Go-to Travel Jewelry Case
My favorite jewelry organizer is the sleek and minimal jewelry case by Mejuri. I’ve found it to be the best travel jewelry case for carry-on, it’s small and compact, and keeps all of my small earrings and delicate chains in perfect condition.
This beautiful jewelry case comes in black or beige grain leather and is perfect if you’re a “less is more” kind of gal, while still leaving room for a few extra pieces. I love how timeless and elegant it looks, and you can even have it monogrammed for that extra personal touch.
FAQ
Should I travel with expensive jewelry?
This really comes down to personal choice, but my best advice is to leave your expensive jewelry at home.
If it’s something you’d be heartbroken to lose, like your grandmother’s diamond earrings or the Cartier bracelet you saved forever to buy, it’s better not to bring it along.
Stick to pieces you wouldn’t mind misplacing, so you can travel stress-free.
Can I take my jewelry on a plane?
Yes, you can and you should always keep it with you. Never pack expensive or sentimental jewelry in your checked luggage. Instead, wear it on the plane or store it securely in your carry-on.
Putting valuable jewelry in checked baggage is risky, as there’s always the chance your luggage could be lost or stolen during transit. Keeping it with you is the safest option.
Can I wear jewelry through airport security?
Yes, most small jewelry items, like stud earrings, rings and delicate chain necklaces, won’t cause any issues at airport security.
However, larger or heavier pieces with lots of metal may set off the scanners and could lead to extra screening.
To make the process easier, remove bulky jewelry before entering security and place it in your carry-on. This way, you’ll move through smoothly without unnecessary delays
What do I do if my jewelry gets lost or stolen?
If your jewelry is lost or stolen, report it right away. File a police report as soon as possible, and if your jewelry is insured, contact your insurance company with the details.
Losing something valuable is always difficult, but proper documentation and quick action will give you the best chance of recovering it, or at least being reimbursed.
Travel often? Find the right travel jewelry case for you and say goodbye to the tangled jewelry life forever, or with these simple hacks, you’ll know exactly how to pack your jewelry for travel without the stress.
More related packing guides:
The ultimate packing list for Universal Studios, Orlando
What to pack for a weekend trip away
The ultimate carry-on bag packing guide
What to pack for a winter vacation
What to pack for a tropical vacation
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