Summer travel should feel easy, not stressful. It is a time for Canadians to take advantage of the warm weather and explore everything Canada has to offer or enjoy the cultures and sceneries of destinations around the world. But what do you do with your jewellery when you leave for an extended period? Whether you’re taking a road trip, flying overseas, or visiting family for a few days, a few simple precautions can help protect your jewellery and valuables before you leave.
Fine jewellery can carry both financial and sentimental value, so travel is a good time to think carefully about what to bring and how to store it. A little planning can help prevent loss, damage, or unwanted attention.
Bring less when you can
The simplest way to protect your jewellery is to travel with less of it. Before packing, ask whether each piece is truly necessary for the trip. Expensive rings, heirloom necklaces, statement earrings, and high-value watches are often better left at home unless there is a specific reason to wear them.
If you do bring jewellery, choose versatile, lower-profile pieces that work with multiple outfits. The less attention your items draw, the lower the risk they become a target. For especially meaningful or irreplaceable pieces, the safest choice is often to keep them securely stored at home.
Pack with care
Jewellery can be damaged easily in transit. Chains tangle, stones scratch, and clasps break when pieces are tossed loosely into bags.
Use a travel jewellery case with separate compartments, or place each item in a soft pouch. Delicate pieces can be wrapped in a soft cloth for extra protection. Whenever possible, keep jewellery in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
If you’re travelling with valuable pieces, take photos before you leave. A simple record can be useful if you ever need to make an insurance claim.
Keep valuables out of sight
Store items out of sight when you are not wearing them. Do not leave jewellery on a hotel vanity, in an open suitcase, or beside the sink. If your accommodation has a safe, use it for items you do not need during the day. If not, keep jewellery locked in your luggage and stored discreetly.
It also helps to keep conversations about valuables private. Avoid discussing expensive jewellery where strangers can overhear.
Think beyond jewellery
For those who also own bullion or other high-value precious metals, the same rule applies: the less you move it, the safer it usually is. Transporting significant holdings adds risk.
Canada Gold offers complimentary vault storage for qualifying purchases, giving clients a secure and insured option for holding larger bullion investments. That can be especially useful if you want the peace of mind of keeping high-value metals protected without taking them home or moving them unnecessarily.
This kind of storage solution can also make future selling more convenient, since assets held in vault storage can be easier to manage than items that need to be transported first.
Review insurance and value
If you own jewellery of significant value, check your insurance coverage before travelling. Standard policies do not always provide the protection people expect, especially for items carried outside the home.
Keep receipts, appraisals, and photos in a secure digital folder so they are easy to access if needed. If you are unsure about a piece’s current value, a professional evaluation can help you decide whether it should be insured, stored, or sold before a trip.
For pieces that are no longer worn, summer can also be a practical time to reassess what to keep and what to part with. Unused jewellery may have more value working for you than sitting in a drawer. Visit your nearest Canada Gold location today to receive a no-obligation evaluation and offer on your gold and silver jewellery.
Travel with confidence
Summer travel should be about making memories, not worrying about what is in your bag. By packing carefully, storing jewellery securely, and keeping a low profile, you can enjoy your trip with more peace of mind.
At Canada Gold, we know jewellery can carry both value and meaning, and that larger bullion holdings may call for a more secure long-term solution. Whether you are protecting a special piece for travel or thinking about what is worth keeping, selling, or storing, a little preparation goes a long way.
