A Traveller's Guide for Jewelry Safety Tips

With vacation around the corner for many people, I wanted to share some suggestions and ideas for safeguarding your jewelry while you are travelling. Taking precautions to minimize loss or theft of your jewelry is very important.

There are two groups of travelers: the minimalist who packs just a few key pieces and then there is the opposite, call this person Maxie, who brings everything. This also applies with jewelry. Some travelers will not wear any jewelry, or if they do, it would be something inexpensive and simple, while others will not part with any of their jewelry.

I am always so surprised to see so many ladies wearing their most expensive diamond jewelry when they are on the beach, or wearing so much gold when I travel to beach destination vacations. Many of these beautiful and tropical beaches are in 3rd world countries where the poverty is very high. Do you know who they are going to look at for their livelihood? Bingo!

If you are heading to any beach during the summer months, a wise idea would be to not wear any jewelry, especially rings because the only person who will be laughing to the bank will be the person who is scouring the beaches with his metal detector. Suntan lotion makes your fingers slippery and rings can slip off easily as well as swimming in the cold ocean, lakes, rivers--your fingers shrink and your rings will slide off.

Tourists who wear a lot of jewelery stand out and are a potential target. Your safety is more important than wearing your blinfg bling. I cannot stress it enough, that when you travel, please keep it simple. I love my jewelry, but when I travel, I am the minimalist. I wear only my wedding band, a simple pair of gold hoop earings and a plastic watch. Blending in with the locals and not drawing attention to yourself can sometimes be a challenge. In some countries, I definitely would not blend in since I am blond and almost 6 feet in height.

On the flip side, for those who choose to travel with their jewels, while in transit, keep your jewelry in your handbag or carry-on bag. If you are a frequent traveler, i.e. business traveler, you may wish to invest in a traveling jewelry case because they have the proper compartments that keep your jewelry organized and protected. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a travel case is how much jewelry and what type of jewelry you will be traveling with since there are so many different types available. You want to make sure you purchase the appropriate type.

When staying at a hotel, a wise idea would be to keep your jewelry in the hotel's safety deposit box or in your room's safe. It is also advisable to take copies of sales receipts, appraisal certificates or insurance papers as proof of ownership; by doing so, you will avoid any potential problems with customs with regards to import taxes and customs declarations.

At night, when you are retiring for the evening, you can keep all your jewelry organized quite simply--slip your rings through your watch band and then close the clasp. At the same time, if your strap is made from leather, you can press your earrings through their holes.

Your safety and security are #1. By taking some precautions you can minimize the risk of being a target.

Wishing you all safe travels and a wonderful time.

Any questions, my pleasure to answer them.

Baya

Collecting Vintage/Antique Jewelry

While contemporary and modern jewelry have their own unique beauty, antique and vintage jewelry have their own characteristics, designs from their era, uniqueness and sentimentaity.

There are many reasons why people wear vintage jewelry; perhaps they inherited it, it has sentimental value, they are drawn to the design of a certain era, i.e. Art Deco, they are looking for unusual pieces, they want to own and wear a piece of history, etc. Many collector's feel a connection to their family history. There are those that only collect a certain type of jewelry, i.e. watches, rings, lavalieres because they might have a favorite maker or designer.

There are those collector's who will travel, within reason of course, to find or acquire the right piece. So often there are vintage/antique markets located out of town, auctions where you will see the "regulars" week by week, month by month, year by year--depending how often they have events or are open.

A recent comment I heard from a lady about her passion for collecting antique jewelry was because it gave her the chance to express her unique personality. She said that her jewelry collection represented her.

Quite often when one inherits or is given a piece of jewelry from the past, this is the beginning of their collection, especially when they truly adore the piece. Others just discover it on chance. It could be as simple as walking by a jewelry store that has an estate section, a piece captures your eye and you are hooked.

With today's high price of gold, investing in an heirloom piece is wise, since the value will go up with time. Do your homework before purchasing an expensive piece. Make sure the the gemstone and metal are in good condition, that there are maker's markings, karat markings. Ask for a professional appraisal.

Any questions, my pleasure to answer them.

Creative Ideas for Updating Your Jewelry

This magnificent citrine necklace was originally a brooch and the former owner did not wear it too often. She decided to update it and we turned it into a functional necklace by adding the chain and adding the there more contemporary citrines. It updated a vintage brooch into a contemporary neckpiece.

How many pieces of jewelry do you have in your jewelry case that you no longer wear because it might be outdated, broken, or you just simply do not like it any more? Well, you can certainly add new life to any jewel with few creative ideas.

Gemstones can be replaced from settings with more vibrant and unique ones. Diamonds can be added to a setting for that extra sparkle or just to dress up a jewelry item.

If you have lost a half pair of earrings, depending on the style of earrings, why not have it made into a pin, pendant or ring.

Updating a wedding band can be simple by adding diamonds for a new eternity band. If you have a very wide band, you could have it sawed in to and also have a matching eternity band made.

If your other half no longer wears his cufflinks, you can have the backings removed for a pair of earrings.

It is my pleasure to offer any suggestions or advice. Please email me at your convenience and I will be more than happy to assist you.