This beautiful ring is a great example of the perfect type of ring to wear on vacation! Featuring a sumptuous 3 carat radiant diamond in a super-secure bezel setting, this statement solitaire also ensures that there are no smaller, prong-set stones to worry about losing. Best part? This perfect piece is 15% off this month–clocking in at an incredible $4250 for 3 carats of diamond perfection!!!!
Summer is all about making memories–not worrying about your valuables. Whether you are headed to the beach, exploring a new city, or enjoying a weekend away, choosing the right jewelry can help you look stylish–while still traveling with confidence.
What Jewelry To Pack
A simple pair of huggies or studs that can be the perfect choice for a little sparkle you don’t have to switch out all the time when you travel
Everyday Essentials
Choose versatile pieces that complement multiple outfits. A pair of diamond or gemstone stud earrings, a simple pendant or chain necklace, and a classic bracelet are all pieces that can transition easily from sightseeing and relaxing during the day, to dinner in the evening. For reference–I recently did this myself! I am a big fan of stacking my large solitaire anniversary upgrade ring with a mix of multiple bands, including eternity bands–but I don’t typically like to wear eternity bands when I travel, as I don’t want to risk extra wear and tear on the prongs or losing a stone. I also wear my original wedding set almost daily, which is a three stone halo with two pave diamond contour bands–i.e., lots of little stones to lose! When we went on two family vacations recently, I left my original set at home, and paired my anniversary solitaire with a plan gold band, and a smaller gold band with tiny diamonds dotted around the band as a spacer ring. I also left my tennis bracelet at home for one of the vacations (a cruise–lots of sunscreen and sand!), and wore it for the second vacation (a wedding in Canada!)–I didn’t want to wear anything that had multiple prong-set stones that could risk getting snagged during the trip. For the cruise, I wore a simple gold vermeil paperclip chain; for the Canada trip, I wore a bezel-set diamond station necklace, and for both trips I wore my favorite pair of diamond stud earrings. Keeping the jewelry that you wear as simple and classic as possible will ensure the perfect mix of versality that will make all of your vacation outfits look amazing, no matter where you are or where you go.
A classic, simple station necklace–like this lovely one Becca recently designed for a client–is an excellent example of the type of necklace that can be perfect to take on vacation! Subtle sparkle? Check. Durability? Check. Classic timelessness that is sure to go with every outfit? Check and check!
Durable Pieces
Travel is the perfect time to wear jewelry that is built for everyday life–such as durable metals and hard gemstones. Solid gold, platinum, and securely set gemstones (such as in a protective bezel) are generally better suited for frequent wear than delicate or highly intricate pieces (such as pieces set in silver, which is a much softer metal, or pieces that feature many small stones). It’s also worth noting that it can be helpful to do a little research on the gemstones you wish to bring with you on vacation before you start packing–gemstones such as diamonds (the hardest naturally occuring substance on earth which ranks a perfect 10 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness–this goes for lab diamonds as well, which are actual diamonds and not diamond simulants as some erroneously suggest–), sapphires, and rubies ( which rank a close 9) are ideal choices, where gemstones such as emeralds, morganites, opals, and pearls (to name a few) are far less ideal choices due to how soft they are. It’s also helpful to leave your more delicate pieces of jewelry–fine chains that can easily tangle, anything with fragile settings or intricate designs, etc.–safely in your jewelry box at home when you travel.
Conversely, vacation can be a good time to wear less-expensive pieces of costume jewelery. If you don’t want to bring your valuables, and want to wear something that you won’t mind getting damaged or possibly even lost, choosing cheaper pieces of costume jewelry can be a good choice for some. Many women opt to get a travel ring, for example, that is a less-expensive dupe of their actual wedding and/or engagement rings (such as pieces made from sterling silver or 10K gold and set with a CZ or a moissanite)–and leave their actual diamonds in a safe or a safety deposit box when they travel. If losing a piece would ruin your vacation, it’s worth reconsidering if you should bring it. Leave priceless family heirlooms at home, and choose pieces you love–but that you can travel comfortably with. When in doubt, remember–pick jewelry that is sentimental…not irreplaceable.
And–no matter what you choose–don’t forget to take off your jewelry at night, before showering/swimming/exercising (chlorine and saltwater will damage your jewelry’s settings!), and–of course!–before applying sunscreen!
Becca worked closely with a special client to refresh her wedding set in a way that best protected her beautiful diamonds, modernized the classic design while preserving both the sentimentality and timelessness, and provided added durability to the settings. Just look at those gorgeous bezels!
Travel Tips for Protecting Your Jewelry
Below are some tips that can be very helpful as your consider which pieces to bring with you on your next trip:
- Pack jewelry in a travel organizer to prevent tangles and scratches (we sell a wide variety of sizes of beautiful travel jewelry cases at incredibly affordable prices for your consideration!)
- Store valuable pieces in your carry-on bag–never in your checked luggage!
- I know we’ve said this many times before, but always, always, always remove your jewelry before swimming in pools, hot tubs, and the ocean! Chlorine and saltwater can affect certain metals and gemstones
- Apply sunscreen, lotion, and perfume before putting on your jewelry to help maintain its sparkle.
- Use the hotel (or cruise ship) safe when you are not wearing your jewelry–I did this constantly
- Consider leaving valuable pieces somewhere safe before your trip for added peace of mind
A whimsical take on a classic, these adorably petite diamond Mickey Mouse studs were recently chosen for a special client to celebrate her upcoming Disney cruise!
Before You Leave…
A quick professional inspection before you travel can help ensure your jewelry is vacation-ready. Loose prongs, worn clasps, and damaged settings are much easier to address before a trip than after a stone goes missing. If it’s been awhile since your jewelry was professionally cleaned or inspected, now is the perfect time to stop by Gilded Design Studio to verify that your jewelry is travel-ready! A little preventative care can help your favorite pieces stay beautiful for many vacations to come 🙂