Travel Education 101: NEVER pack your jewelry in your checked luggage. There’s always a chance that the airline could lose your bag, or worse – it gets stolen out of your bag. This has never happened to me before (knock on some serious wood), but I have accidentally packed it in my suitcase and remained an anxious mess until I was reunited with my bag at the conveyor belt.

Travel Education 102: HOW you pack your jewels is important. I’ve arrived to a destination where every single one of my necklaces was in a massive tangle. After spending hours trying to separate them, I finally just grabbed a beer and decided it was a lost cause. If you’re a DIY-er, placing one side of your necklace into a straw alleviates the tangle problem. I’ve also rolled mine inside small towels before tying both end with a rubber band. And then there’s always the pill box for earrings, rings, etc. If you need more structure, see below for some of my favorite compartments, pouches and boxes!

Travel Education 103: WHAT you pack is even more important. That diamond statement piece you got for Christmas last year? It’s probably best to leave it at home unless you’re appearing on a red carpet somewhere in say, I don’t know, Paris? Milan? If you simply cannot part ways with it, then either wear it on your person during travel day or stow it in a safe compartment in your carry-on. I have a few pieces I’ve been gifted over the years (dad brag) that I simply haven’t been able to wear much due to all of my travels. One day I will wear all the bling…or so I keep telling myself. Speaking of bling, depending on the destination, it may be smart to leave your wedding ring at home and wear your subdued wedding band. If you do travel with fine jewelry, it may be a good idea to look into insurance!

My Travel Jewels

 What: Arkansas State Necklace

The Story: I have major state pride, what can I say? No matter where I go in the world, I always carry a little piece of home with me. I walked into Romance Diamonds in Fayetteville, Arkansas, back in 2010 to inquire about designing this necklace for my college graduation present. We discussed the sizing, the placement of the diamond (over my hometown of Fort Smith), the metal, etc. Last time I checked, Romance Diamonds sold these in-store. You can always give them a call to inquire about designing your own!

What: Diamond stud earrings

The Story: Well, there’s not one really. My mom took me to a relatively cheap jewelry store many years ago to pick out replacement diamond studs because I’m pretty sure I lost the first pair. They have accompanied me all over the world and have even made their way back to my ears after being left in Mendoza, Argentina. Unless I’m feeling fancy, I don’t take them out for anything!

What: Gold bracelet with diamond plate

The Story: My father doesn’t know this, but he’s the best damn jewelry picker-outer on the planet. He bought this one for me, my two sisters and mother a few years ago for a Christmas gift. This is my favorite bracelet because it’s simple and classy with some bling. I can wear it with yoga clothes or to a 7-course dinner! Nom.

What: Gold coordinate cuff

The Story: Romance Diamonds strikes again. Two years ago I walked back in the store to have them create a coordinates bracelet for me and my two sisters. I wasn’t impressed with the coordinate bracelets I found online, so I knew just the place to go. My parents were selling my childhood home that I knew and loved for 20something years, and I wanted to have that memory with me always…and it just so happens to be around my wrist!

What: Giles & Brother Railroad Spiked Cuff

The Story: Like the other pieces above, I hardly ever take this gold cuff of of my wrist. Out of everything I own, this is the most sentimental piece to me because it’s engraved with a special person’s name at the top: WIN. Win was a good friend of mine who passed away on June 23rd, 2010 and accomplished so much during his short 20 years on earth. Seeing his name every day is a reminder to live like him, to ‘win’ every day, and to always bring the funk. Shout out to my sister for this incredible piece!

More

These five staples make travel jewelry simple. Elegance and effortless sophistication is the name of the game. If I’m feeling oh so crazy, I’ll head over to H&M or Forever 21 to grab some different looks. The silver choker in this photo is from the Old Navy clearance section. Score! In the end, if I lose the jewelry or it happens to break during the rough go-around that is international travel, I’m not incredibly disappointed because it didn’t cost an arm and a leg!