Keeping Fine Jewelry Safe and Secure

It is important to know how to keep your fine jewelry safe from the elements and secure while traveling. Check out these top five fine jewelry care tips from the experts at The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world’s largest independent laboratory for testing and evaluating gemstones and fine jewelry.  

IGI’s TOP 5 Summer Care Tips

1. While at the beach, sunbathe sans the sparklers. Suntan lotions can coat a gemstone, reducing the refractive and reflective light, resulting in loss of the stone’s brilliance. To avoid this, clean your gemstone regularly with an easily packed ultrasonic cleaner (available at IGI’s e-store at www.igionline.com).

2. Organization is key when traveling with jewelry. A diamond can scratch a pearl, so store fine jewelry in individual soft cloth pouches or lined jewelry boxes to prevent scratching, dulling and tangling of chains. 

3. Before you get away, be sure your jewelry is adequately insured. Relying on an existing homeowners’ insurance policy may not provide sufficient protection for jewelry, particularly when traveling. Consult an insurance agent and consider obtaining an independent appraisal report to ensure a fair replacement if the article is lost, stolen or damaged. 

4. When selecting a hotel, be certain safe deposit boxes are available for storing valuables. Never leave fine jewelry unattended in a hotel room or car.

5. If commemorating your vacation with a new fine jewelry purchase – insist on an IGI grading or identification report prior to purchase. Along with providing an unbiased assessment of the stone’s qualities, the report also informs you if the stone is synthetic or has undergone any treatments, which can dramatically affect value.