Do you wear your good jewelery when abroad?

[purselover]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.

So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I only leave jewelry behind if it''s a place known for mugging. I didn''t wear any jewelry in Brazil, but I wore my regular jewlery when we went to Jamaica earlier this month. I agree most major cities probably aren''t that different than NYC where I''m obviously not going to leave my jewelry home everyday!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.

So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I don''t wear my ring when I go to the US - my insurer deems it to be too great a risk and won''t cover it there. I can wear it anywhere in Europe, though. I have no idea what the logic behind this is.

I know that tourists, however savvy they think they are, can stand out a mile to criminals. I tend not to wear anything that would make me look worth mugging when I travel anywhere I don''t know well.

 

[upgrade]

Date: 1/22/2010 1:33:12 PM
Author: MC

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.

So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I would be afraid of mugging! When we go on vacation, we tend to bring along more cash than normal, plus we don''t always know the area well enough to judge the safety level. For example, when we were visiting Vancouver BC, my Dh wanted to go to china town. Well, we discovered the route we took drove us right through (I think it was Hastings Street?) where there were tons of drugged out people outside on the roads.

Funny you mention that... Vancouver is generally one of the safer cities in the world... except for that one little pocket! It''s called the ''downtown eastside'' and Hastings St is one of the main roads through it. Not only could you not pay me enough to wear my ring there, I won''t even go there! I''ll drive through if I have to, but I would never walk through. I was thinking of that area when I wrote that I''ll wear my rings anywhere I go in Canada or the US. I just about added "because if it''s a place that''s not safe to wear my jewelry, I''m not going there anyway!'' I always think that tourists to Vancouver ought to be warned somehow that it''s a bad area, because how would you know just by looking at a map!?

 

[LGK]

Date: 1/22/2010 1:33:12 PM
Author: MC

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here's a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you're going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don't see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn't hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.

So do you leave it at home just because you don't want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I would be afraid of mugging! When we go on vacation, we tend to bring along more cash than normal, plus we don't always know the area well enough to judge the safety level. For example, when we were visiting Vancouver BC, my Dh wanted to go to china town. Well, we discovered the route we took drove us right through (I think it was Hastings Street?) where there were tons of drugged out people outside on the roads.

Ditto to what MC said. Yeah, if I'm travelling I'm walking around a lot more, I don't know what areas to avoid automatically, etc. I always leave my jewelry at home if I'm going somewhere other than a place I know well in the US. I wore my e-ring to Vegas when I went w/ my mom & her sisters, because I knew I was always going to be in a herd of women and probably not out walking at night, but otherwise, they stay home and the sterling band replaces them. (And yes, MC, that was Hastings St- we actually wandered into that area on foot- that was... interesting!)

I actually do usually bring a fake with, which I wear part of the time- like in airports and out to nice dinners etc, but most of the time it stays in my bag. (It's a nice quality fake so it is actually enjoyable to wear.) Mostly because we usually travel for extended lengths of time, and I would die of sparkly deprivation if I couldn't wear a sparkly thing sometimes!

So, in a nutshell, I'd never bring an e-ring to Brazil. But I would bring a fake to wear occasionally, because it wouldn't be a tragedy if it got lost.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 1/22/2010 12:31:11 PM
Author: sba771

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.


So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I wear my ring everywhere in Europe (including Italy and Greece which seem to be places people tend to not wear their rings) and the US. I also wore it when I lived in NYC and that included the subway in Brooklyn. For me Brazil sends up too many flags as I know so many people that have been robbed there.

I totally agree with this. I have no issues wearing my ring anywhere in the US, Europe, etc. Brazil, however, has so many bad stories associated with it that I would leave my jewelry at home for that trip.

I think the only time I would ever be mugged in the US or Europe is if I was walking around alone at 3am in a shady part of town - something I''m not going to do anyway! Haha. Someone''s much more likely to pick my pocket in a crowded area during the day than be able to get my ring off my finger.

 

[winternight]

Just a funny side story I wore a silver band on my honeymoon because we went on an African safari and believe me you don''t want to have to keep up with jewelry in the bush. Anyways my husband left his at home too and didn''t have time to get a cheap silver band. One of our drivers asked my husband if we were really married because he didn''t wear a ring!! OMG! Then the guy asked if I had an engaged ring. So inappropriate!

 

[Gleam]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here's a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you're going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don't see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn't hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.


So do you leave it at home just because you don't want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

In safe cities, especially in Europe, I wouldn't mind wearing my e-ring. There are actually very few places in the world where I'd travel to and feel I have toleave my e-ring at home. I haven't been to South American or other countries where security is more of a concern (Brazil is apparently the #1 market for bulletproof car windows!).

 

[yssie]

Date: 1/22/2010 7:26:59 PM
Author: Gleam

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.


So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

In safe cities, especially in Europe, I wouldn''t mind wearing my e-ring. There are actually very few places in the world where I''d travel to and feel I have toleave my e-ring at home. I haven''t been to South American or other countries where security is more of a concern (Brazil is apparently the #1 market for bulletproof car windows!).

really?

 

[upgrade]

Date: 1/22/2010 7:41:13 PM
Author: yssie

Date: 1/22/2010 7:26:59 PM
Author: Gleam

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.


So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

In safe cities, especially in Europe, I wouldn''t mind wearing my e-ring. There are actually very few places in the world where I''d travel to and feel I have toleave my e-ring at home. I haven''t been to South American or other countries where security is more of a concern (Brazil is apparently the #1 market for bulletproof car windows!).

really?

Doesn''t surprise me... I had a student once from Sao Paolo and she said she had been robbed/carjacked 7 times in her life. I do think it warrants mentioning, however, that someone who lives there is likely going to be visiting areas that tourists won''t.

 

[wsu12]

Interesting question..I wore my e-ring and wedding bands recently in Europe (All over Greece and Italy) and did not feel they were in jeopardy at any time.

PLEASE READ THIS:
My grandparents vacationed in Brazil in the eighties and they were mugged. My grandmother had a 6 ct emerald ring stolen, their camera, Rolex watches, wallets, etc. I strongly suggest leaving anything flashy and of value at home. With that said, my grandparents both commented on how stunningly beautiful Brazil is.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.


So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

I''d leave my jewelry home if I were going someplace where mugging was more likely. I took and wore jewelry in Madrid and Tokyo and had no problems or concerns, but if I were going to a place like Brazil, or Costa Rica where I''m planning on going for spring break, I''m not bringing anything with me.

 

[rainwood]

Date: 1/22/2010 11:33:18 AM
Author: elrohwen
Here''s a question for everyone - Now I understand leaving rings behind if you''re going somewhere known for mugging, but what about if you go to London? Or Berlin? etc. I don''t see those cities as anything different from NYC and I wouldn''t hesitate to wear my ring in NYC.

So do you leave it at home just because you don''t want to lose your ring in a foreign country? Or is it really fear of mugging?

El -
I never wear my diamond when traveling except the U.S., and sometimes not even then. Partly because it could attract unwanted attention, but mostly because I find travel to be hard on things, including jewelry. Handling baggage a lot, being in unfamiliar hotel rooms and bathrooms (I always take my jewelry off at night), and just banging into things more because you''re getting in and out of taxis, subways, buses, etc., hauling luggage in and out of public transport, up and down stairs, etc. I''d hate to have any of my good jewelry getting knocked or damaged, plus it''s one less thing to worry about. I have a wide sterling band that I love, and it comes with me on all foreign travel.

 

[SapphireLover]

Some good thoughts here. I am in the UK, so of course wear it my ring in London. My insurance policy states that I am covered in the rest of Europe and also for up to 30 days at a time elsewhere in the world. I''d wear it in America without thinking about it but had heard that tourist muggings are very very common in Brazil.

Wherever I go, I am sensible. If I think my ring will draw attention, then I turn it round so the diamond is in my palm and all you can see is the plain white gold band. My mum used to do this, especially when she went to the fish market. She sometimes wears a 3ct- ish sized stone, and the people running the fish stalls used to gasp when wasn''t thinking properly and put her palm out for her change and there was a huge diamond there.

 

[Kiley]

I spent some time living in Rio and I would definitely recommend NOT wearing anything that draws attention to yourself, including your engagement ring and any fancy jewelry, even Tiffany silver. It will be clear enough that you are not from around there, which will make you a target.