The Ultimate Summer Travel Guide

Summer is made for adventures—whether you're spending the week on the Connecticut shoreline, relaxing at the lake, exploring a new city, or heading somewhere tropical.

But before you toss your favorite jewelry into your suitcase, it's worth taking a few minutes to think about what you're bringing.

The best vacation jewelry is beautiful, versatile, and easy to wear. It should take you from a day at the beach to dinner by the water without a second thought. And with a little planning, you can keep your favorite pieces looking just as beautiful when you return home.

Build a Travel Jewelry Capsule

Just like packing a capsule wardrobe, creating a travel jewelry capsule makes getting dressed effortless while keeping your valuables to a minimum.

Instead of packing your entire jewelry box, choose a few versatile pieces that work with everything you packed.

Consider bringing:

• A pair of everyday stud earrings
• A pair of gold or silver hoops
• One statement earring for evenings
• A simple pendant necklace
• A layering chain
• One bracelet
• Your everyday watch
• One cocktail ring or fashion ring

These few pieces can create dozens of different looks without weighing down your suitcase.

Travel Smart with Diamond Alternatives

Vacation is about making memories not worrying about what's in your jewelry case.

Whether you're exploring a new city, boarding a cruise, relaxing by the pool, or enjoying dinner at a seaside restaurant, traveling with your most valuable jewelry can sometimes add unnecessary stress. While many homeowners insurance policies offer limited coverage for jewelry away from home, coverage often comes with deductibles, limitations, or additional riders, and replacing a sentimental piece is never as simple as filing a claim.

That's where a thoughtfully chosen travel jewelry collection comes in.

One of our favorite options is Lafonn, a collection known for its exceptional brilliance and timeless designs. Crafted with high quality lab grown and simulated diamonds and set in sterling silver bonded with platinum, Lafonn offers the luxurious look of fine diamond jewelry with outstanding durability for everyday wear.

A travel capsule featuring Lafonn lets you enjoy all the sparkle you love while leaving your most valuable natural diamonds, family heirlooms, and irreplaceable pieces safely at home.

It's perfect for:

• Beach vacations and resort getaways
• Cruises and international travel
• Summer weddings and destination celebrations
• Sightseeing and city exploring
• Poolside lunches and waterfront dinners

The best part? You don't have to sacrifice style.

Sunscreen and Jewelry Don't Always Get Along

Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin, but it isn't always kind to your jewelry.

Lotions and sprays can leave residue on diamonds, gemstones, pearls, and metals, making them appear dull or cloudy. The solution is simple:

Apply sunscreen first. Give it a few minutes to absorb. Then put on your jewelry.

You'll protect both your skin and your sparkle.

Saltwater, Chlorine & Sand

Summer fun can also expose jewelry to some unexpected hazards.

Chlorine

Swimming pools contain chlorine, which can slowly weaken precious metals over time, especially white gold and the alloys used in gold jewelry. Repeated exposure may contribute to discoloration or structural weakening.

Whenever possible, remove your jewelry before getting into the pool.

Saltwater

Saltwater won't damage diamonds themselves, but it can dull metals, loosen prongs over time, and leave behind salt deposits that reduce your jewelry's shine.

More importantly, cold water can cause your fingers to shrink, making rings much easier to slip off without you noticing. Every year, countless rings are lost in lakes and oceans.

Sand

Sand acts like tiny pieces of sandpaper. It can scratch gold, platinum, pearls, softer gemstones, polished finishes, and watch crystals. Sand also has a way of finding its way into clasps, hinges, and moving parts.

If you're heading to the beach, it's often best to leave delicate jewelry in a safe place.

Don't Forget the Sun

The summer sun doesn't just affect your skin. Extended exposure to heat and direct sunlight can impact certain gemstones over time.

Some stones, including opal, pearls, amber, kunzite, and amethyst can become dehydrated or fade with prolonged exposure to intense sunlight.

Pearls deserve special attention because they're organic gemstones. Heat, chemicals, sunscreen, perfume, and prolonged dryness can affect their natural luster. If you're wearing pearls on vacation, save them for dinner by the water or shopping in town. 

Traveling with Heirloom Jewelry

If you're bringing a treasured family heirloom on vacation, give it a quick inspection before you leave.

• Check that clasps close securely.
• Make sure stones aren't loose.
• Look for worn prongs or stretched pearl strands.

It's much easier to prevent a loss than to replace a treasured family piece.

Pack Jewelry Like a Pro

A few simple habits can prevent tangles and scratches.

• Store necklaces individually to prevent tangling.
• Keep earrings together in a travel jewelry case.
• Place rings in padded compartments.
• Never toss loose jewelry into a cosmetic bag.
• Keep fine jewelry in your carry-on—never in checked luggage.
• If your hotel room has a safe, use it for pieces you're not wearing.

A compact travel jewelry organizer is one of the smartest accessories you can pack.

Give Your Jewelry a Little TLC When You Get Home

After vacation, treat your jewelry to a little post trip care.

Wipe away sunscreen, salt, and everyday residue with a soft polishing cloth.

Bring your favorite pieces in for a professional cleaning and inspection if they've been exposed to heavy wear during your travels.

A quick check of prongs, clasps, and settings can help prevent future repairs and keep your jewelry sparkling all year long.

Wherever Summer Takes You...

The best travel jewelry is the jewelry you'll actually wear.

Build a thoughtful capsule collection, choosing versatile pieces, and don't be afraid to travel with beautiful alternatives like Lafonn while leaving your most valuable jewelry safely at home.

We're happy to help you curate the perfect vacation jewelry wardrobe, from timeless gold essentials and colorful gemstones to sparkling Lafonn styles that are ideal for travel.