Jewelry experts issue warning to travelers

It is the peak of the travel season and many people won't think twice about taking their favorite jewelry with them. But experts are urging travelers to leave their precious jewels at home or run the risk of clocking up thousands of dollars in costs. This can be through pricey insurance claims or even through vacation-related wear and tear. Tobias Kormind, Managing Director of 77 Diamonds , said the main reason to leave treasured jewelry behind is due to gaps in travel insurance.

'Many travelers assume their jewelry will be covered by standard travel insurance, but this is rarely the case,' he said. Most often cap between $500 ad $1,500, which isn't enough to cover most engagement or wedding rings or pricier pieces. For rings over $20,000, a specialized jewelry insurance policy is recommended, according to Kormind. It may cost up to two percent of the ring's worth per year, but it helps recover the losses if something were to happen, he said.

He also recommends reading the fine print on the insurance policy to make sure your jewelry doesn't fall in the exceptions category. 'It is so important when choosing your policy that it covers all aspects of protection,' Kormind said. 'Many won't pay out if your ring was left unattended, even briefly, or if it was kept in a hotel room rather than in a safe. 'Some policies also exclude cover while swimming or at the beach, which is exactly when rings are most likely to slip off.' He also recommends carrying documentation showing you are the owner of the ring, in case authorities question you or you have to make an insurance claim.

'There are many cases in which people have lost rings worth thousands during holidays, he said. 'Those with proper insurance recovered their losses, while others faced significant financial hits.' For those who insist who keeping their flashy jewelry on them, Kormind has a few tips and tricks and make sure that if disaster strikes, the owner will get the most back. His first tip is to check your insurance policy, as not all are created equal.

Temporary rings are also another option to keep your real jewel safe and sound, and he says it doesn't need to be as fancy as your real one. 'You could purchase silicone or affordable metal bands to provide a practical alternative without the ethical and legal concerns of fake designer items,' he said. 'However, if you prefer a more high-end replacement, consider purchasing a Moissanite ring, which, although it is still expensive, is a considerably lower cost in comparison to a diamond ring.' Moissanite is composed of silicon carbide, while diamonds are made of carbon. On the outside, though, Moissanite looks very similar to a real diamond.

Lastly, he recommends all the new brides-to-be to keep their fresh engagement ring off their social media pages until they get home. Posting photos in locations that can easily be detected can and have lead to robberies. Chase Turner, CEO of SD Bullion , also advises leaving jewelry at home or at the very least taking it off before hitting the beach. 'Sunscreen contains chemicals that erode metals and coat gemstones in a film,' Turner said.

'This dulls the shine of rings, including pieces which may hold sentimental value, such as engagement rings, and can also loosen the settings over time. The metals expert explained that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in mineral sunscreens are particularly abrasive. These compounds can scratch softer metals like gold and silver when rubbed against them. 'Many people apply sunscreen with their rings on, wondering why their jewelry looks cloudy by the end of summer,' he adds. 'This can be avoided by removing all jewelry before using sun protection.'

He issued similar advice to swimming with jewelry, explaining swimming pools present another major risk to precious metals 'Chlorine is terrible for precious jewelry,' he explained. 'The chemical is harmful to the metal's alloys, causing the jewelry to break down over time. For example, white gold rings can turn yellow after repeated exposure to pool chemicals.' Saltwater is just as harmful, he added: 'Also, if the water is cold, the ring can slip off your finger and fall into the ocean without you noticing.'

 Turner recommends gently cleaning jewelry with mild dish soap and drying with a lint cloth in the event of exposure. But like Kormind, his best advice is to remove it entirely to prevent the need for costly repairs. 'Most damage from summer activities builds up slowly but becomes irreversible,' he said. 'Taking simple precautions preserves both sentimental and monetary value.'