How to Store Jewelry When Traveling: Simple Ways to Avoid Tangles and Scratches
Jewelry can tangle, scratch or go missing on the road. This guide covers what to bring, how to pack necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and watches, and where to keep everything during the trip.
Jewelry can tangle, scratch or go missing on the road. A little planning before you pack makes a big difference. This guide covers what to bring, how to pack each type of piece, and where to keep it all during the trip.
Bring less
Decide what you will really wear. A few pieces that match most outfits are easier to pack and to keep track of than a full collection. If a piece is valuable or hard to replace, think twice before you take it along.
Keep valuables with you
- Carry jewelry in your hand luggage or a personal bag, not in a checked bag.
- In a hotel, use the room safe if there is one. If not, keep the jewelry in one fixed spot, such as a zipped pocket in your bag, so you always know where it is.
- Do not leave pieces on a bathroom counter or on a pillow. Check the room before you check out.
Get ready before you pack
Wipe each piece with a soft cloth and let it dry. Close the clasps. Chains, hooks and posts catch on each other when they are open, so a closed clasp is the first step to fewer tangles.
How to pack each type
Necklaces
Fasten the clasp, then keep each necklace in its own small pouch or zip bag. A common trick is to thread a fine chain through a drinking straw, which holds it straight. You can also lay a chain flat on a strip of cardboard and fold the card over it. Avoid piling several chains in one pocket.
Earrings
Keep each pair together. A small pill box with compartments works well, and so does a piece of stiff card with small holes where the posts go. Put the backs on the posts so they do not get lost.
Rings
A ring roll or a small foam insert holds rings in place. A soft pouch also works. Do not drop rings loose into a toiletry bag, where they can scratch or slip into a corner.
Bracelets and bangles
Roll a bracelet in a soft cloth, or lay it in a small pouch. Bangles can be stacked and stored inside a rolled-up sock or a soft case, so that they do not rattle against harder items.
Watches
A watch needs a cushioned spot. A watch roll or a padded case holds each watch on its own rest, so the glass and the case do not rub against other items. Close the strap or the bracelet, and keep the watch away from anything with a sharp edge.
Separate and cushion
Group pieces by type in small zip bags, and put a layer of soft cloth between metal pieces. Keep jewelry away from liquids such as perfume, hand sanitizer and shower products. If your luggage is tight, put the small bags inside a larger pouch so that they do not shift.
Make a list
Take a quick photo of what you pack, or write a short list. It takes a minute, and it helps you check that everything is back in the bag at the end of the trip.
When you get home
Unpack the jewelry right away. Check for scratches or loose stones, wipe each piece and put it back in its usual place.
A quick checklist
- Pick only what you will wear.
- Carry it in hand luggage.
- Close the clasps before packing.
- One pouch or compartment per type of piece.
- A cushioned spot for watches.
- Keep it away from liquids.
- Photo or list of what you packed.
If you travel with watches, the PU leather watch roll is a travel case for two watches. The photos of the brown version show two rounded watch rests and snap fasteners. The cover is PU leather, a synthetic material and not genuine leather. Watches are not included. More travel items are in our Travel collection.