What to do with e-ring in Hawaii?

[LittleRiver]

I know there have been threads on this in the past, but I couldn't find anything recent. FI and I are leaving for Hawaii in a week and I am unsure what to do with my e-ring! I know, I know, I should leave it at home, but we are going directly from Hawaii to visit FI's family for Thanksgiving. This will be our first time seeing them since we got engaged, and I want to show off my ring!

We will be on the beach every day, but not doing anything super active like snorkeling or hiking. Also, we are staying at an apartment-type rental suite, so we will not have housekeeping staff in and out of our suite daily (although of course management would have access). No safe in the suite or the management office.

What would PS do?

ETA: The ring is insured through JM.

 

[Skippy123]

Does the ring fit secure when your hands are wet? Mine doesn't so I don't wear it on the beach. I guess it depends on that answer. I am glad you have it insured!

 

[zoebartlett]

I'd wear my engagement ring. Unless I was traveling in a really unsafe area, I'd keep my ring on. The only thing that might make me think twice about wearing it was if I was going swimming (my rings slip off very easily in the water). I suppose you could hide your ring somewhere in your suite but you might feel better knowing it was with you at all times.

 

[aviastar]

Don't wear it at the beach; the sand will ding up your mounting and even if you aren't surfing or snorkeling water is the surest way to have the whole ring slip right off your finger without you even noticing!

Can you take a lockable jewelry box or travel document case to put the ring (and money and cards and anything else you don't need at the beach) in, then hide that in the room? Then at least you can 1) tell immediately if it's been tampered with and 2) assure your insurance you took necessary precautions in case something does happen.

Enjoy your trip, Hawaii is heaven on earth!

 

[bee*]

I'd wear it. I wear mine any time I'm on the beach and so I'd keep it on. I'd be too afraid of it getting stolen or lost if I took it off.

 

[Bliss]

I would wear it to the beach, but refrain from making any sand castles! Your MM e-ring is PERFECT in so many ways. Sand is pretty up there on the hardness scale - it can really scratch up your beautiful e-ring! I always wear mine on the beach but am always careful not to dig in the sand. One thing I do (unorthodox) is to loop a strong hair elastic around it (slip knot) and then loop it around my wrist - in the off chance that a wave knocked it off my hand, at least it would be anchored to my wrist! I know, crazy! But I didn't want to be without my rings on vacation!

How about one of those very thin cool velcro wristlets with a zippered safety pouch? They are so small and if you put it around your wrist tightly, it would be OK. I wouldn't feel relaxed on the beach knowing my e-ring was in my suite, though! I like having it on me!

But if you plan on surfing and being super active, maybe it's best to leave it at home. The worst thing would be to show up for Thanksgiving with no ring because you lost it! Congrats and have fun in Hawaii! My favorite vacation destination ever!!!!

They have wrist pouches much smaller and sleeker than these at running or travel stores, but here is a dorky version of what I'm talking about!

 

[Imdanny]

No I don't have any advice about traveling with jewelry, I just want to say I live in Hawaii. We have far less crime where I live on a neighbor island than on the mainland. Far less. Not close to comparable when it comes to violent crime. I KNOW you probably didn't mean it this way but your title made me think of some exotic place with high crime. Honolulu is a big city and certain precautions apply there, certain precautions apply everywhere, but This is actually a low crime place and f you come to the neighboor idlands you can wear whatever you want. Nobody is going to mug you. Plenty of women wear wrings. It's just another state in the US. IF you don't want to bother with it, just leave it at home. Otherwise, it's no big deal. Thank you for choosing Hawaii! Have a great time!

 

[Bliss]

No I don't have any advice about traveling with jewelry, I just want to say I live in Hawaii. We have far less crime where I live on a neighbor island than on the mainland. Far less. Not close to comparable when it comes to violent crime. I KNOW you probably didn't mean it this way but your title made me think of some exotic place with high crime. Honolulu is a big city and certain precautions apply there, certain precautions apply everywhere, but This is actually a low crime place and f you come to the neighboor idlands you can wear whatever you want. Nobody is going to mug you. Plenty of women wear wrings. It's just another state in the US. IF you don't want to bother with it, just leave it at home. Otherwise, it's no big deal. Thank you for choosing Hawaii! Have a great time!

You are SOOOO lucky, Imdanny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had no idea you lived in paradise!!!! The next PS GTG is at your house!

 

[Imdanny]

Bliss, LOL!!!

Yes, it is a blessing to be able to live here.

I like your "pocket" things! Great idea!

 

[Amys Bling]

I'd wear my engagement ring. Unless I was traveling in a really unsafe area, I'd keep my ring on. The only thing that might make me think twice about wearing it was if I was going swimming (my rings slip off very easily in the water). I suppose you could hide your ring somewhere in your suite but you might feel better knowing it was with you at all times.

Agreed. Is it insured and can you hide it in a safe??

 

[mrs jam]

My husband proposed to me while we were vacationing on Maui. Unbeknownst to me, he carried my engagement ring around for half of our trip in a waterproof box thingie that he kept strapped to his swim trunks at all times. He's had things stolen from a hotel safe, so he didn't feel comfortable keeping it stashed away in the room. He went diving with the ring, our ids, and his cell phone tucked in the box. I think he got it at a dive shop. After he proposed, I wanted him to still carry my ring in his box. I definitely would not recommend swimming with your ring on or getting it all clogged with sand. Sand especially is so hard to clean out of all the little nooks and crannies!

 

[LittleRiver]

The only thing that might make me think twice about wearing it was if I was going swimming (my rings slip off very easily in the water).

That is exactly what I am afraid of! In fact, my mom lost her original wedding band in the ocean. I am not much of a swimmer but I am sure I will want to get in the water in Hawaii!

 

[LittleRiver]

One thing I do (unorthodox) is to loop a strong hair elastic around it (slip knot) and then loop it around my wrist - in the off chance that a wave knocked it off my hand, at least it would be anchored to my wrist! I know, crazy! But I didn't want to be without my rings on vacation!

How about one of those very thin cool velcro wristlets with a zippered safety pouch? They are so small and if you put it around your wrist tightly, it would be OK. I wouldn't feel relaxed on the beach knowing my e-ring was in my suite, though! I like having it on me!

I really like both of these ideas! I am not sure I understand the hair elastic method, I will have to test it out before we go! I really do not want to be without my ring on vacation but I also do not want to worry about it.

 

[LittleRiver]

No I don't have any advice about traveling with jewelry, I just want to say I live in Hawaii. We have far less crime where I live on a neighbor island than on the mainland. Far less. Not close to comparable when it comes to violent crime. I KNOW you probably didn't mean it this way but your title made me think of some exotic place with high crime. Honolulu is a big city and certain precautions apply there, certain precautions apply everywhere, but This is actually a low crime place and f you come to the neighboor idlands you can wear whatever you want. Nobody is going to mug you. Plenty of women wear wrings. It's just another state in the US. IF you don't want to bother with it, just leave it at home. Otherwise, it's no big deal. Thank you for choosing Hawaii! Have a great time!

Hawaii is probably safer than where I live (NYC)! I am more worried about sand, chlorine, ring slipping off in the ocean, etc. This is the first trip to Hawaii for both of us and we are so excited!! Hopefully the first of many! You are lucky to live there.

 

[LittleRiver]

Is it insured and can you hide it in a safe??

Amy, it is insured, but there is no safe available where we are staying. That is why I am thinking I may worry less if it is on me than if it is back in the rental!

 

[LittleRiver]

Thank you all for your replies! I am leaning toward keeping it with me on the beach, but possibly tucking it away in a wristlet or diving box or some other gear-y contraption so it does not get scratched up or fall off! I really do want to have the ring to show FI's mom at Thanksgiving.

 

[Bliss]

Waves are very powerful things, Little River!!!! Even a ring that fits very snug will get blown off by a huge wave. And waves in Hawaii are VERY powerful and unexpected. It can feel like an SUV hit you from behind suddenly - I was knocked off my feet many a time even in water just barely hitting my knees. And it can flip you over! Everything can get knocked off - including bikini tops! No, DF - I don't have any pics! It has never happened to me before, because I double knot those things!!!

I'll try to get a pic of my rubber band method...heehee. But I would recommend a wristlet like the surfers wear. Those things don't get knocked off. Think of those velcro ties they have to keep their surfboards attached to their ankles when they get knocked over. Get a very snug velcro pouch for your wrist and play in the water at will! So excited for you!!! If you get a velcro pouch, don't just put the ring in there, maybe put it in a baggie and THEN put it in the pouch? That way the tiny delicate thing won't be banging around in there and possibly slip or fall out of an errant zipper that snuck its way down...

 

[vsc]

I like the idea of the wrist pouch but I'd be sooo afraid of it opening up... I feel that the safest place is on your finger! How snug is it? How about buying a cheapo silver band that is the snuggest you can possibly put on your ring finger and wear it as a guard next to your ering when you plan to go in the water? That way there will be a lot less likelihood it will slip off your finger.

Also, you can wear your ring on a chain around your neck if you don't want it to get abraded by the sand...

 

[Lottie]

Have you got another ring that fits very snugly on your engagement finger? When you go to the beach you could wear it in front of your engagement ring so that it anchors it on and you don't need to worry about it coming loose. No advice about the sand I'm afraid, I don't wear my ring to the beach because watching it get clogged with sand bugs me.

I hope you have a lovely trip.

 

[LittleRiver]

Bliss, you are scaring me!

What do you think about something like this? http://www.rei.com/product/800693/seattle-sports-e-merse-submersible-electronics-case Then I could tuck my ring (in a tiny baggie), room key, cash, etc. in this pouch and wear it around my neck while lounging on the beach and in the water. Not the most elegant solution, but do you think it would work???

 

[LittleRiver]

vsc and Lottie, I liked the idea of a second band on top of my e-ring to keep it on, but now I am worried about damage from sand! Gah! Who knew the beach was so dangerous?

 

[zoebartlett]

Here's another idea. Since you'll see your in-laws at the wedding and for however long until you leave for your honeymoon, you could ask them to take your engagement ring home with them. That way, you won't have to worry about it while you're in Hawaii, you know your ring will be safe, and you'll get to show it off when you see your husband's family for Thanksgiving.

 

[LittleRiver]

Here's another idea. Since you'll see your in-laws at the wedding and for however long until you leave for your honeymoon, you could ask them to take your engagement ring home with them. That way, you won't have to worry about it while you're in Hawaii, you know your ring will be safe, and you'll get to show it off when you see your husband's family for Thanksgiving.

Zoe, this trip is actually not our honeymoon! We just got engaged a month ago! We are taking a triangle trip from home to Hawaii to FI's family to home, so I won't see FMIL before we go.

 

[zoebartlett]

Here's another idea. Since you'll see your in-laws at the wedding and for however long until you leave for your honeymoon, you could ask them to take your engagement ring home with them. That way, you won't have to worry about it while you're in Hawaii, you know your ring will be safe, and you'll get to show it off when you see your husband's family for Thanksgiving.

Zoe, this trip is actually not our honeymoon! We just got engaged a month ago! We are taking a triangle trip from home to Hawaii to FI's family to home, so I won't see FMIL before we go.

Duh. I knew that too! Sorry! I guess I automatically equate Hawaii with honeymoons for some reason.

 

[Aoife]

I'm going to go against the trend here and suggest that you leave your ring concealed in the condo when you are heading to the beach. When I am in Hawaii, the last thing I want to be doing is restricting my activities at the beach because I am worrying about my jewelry. Of course, I'm not much for laying on the beach, and tend to spend more time in the water swimming or snorkeling, but the thought of the combination of abrasion from the sand, fingers shrinkage from the water, and sunscreen making everything slippery and goopy makes me leave anything I value and don't want to lose back in a safe place.

 

[missy]

This might be a stupid question but could you perhaps open a bank safe deposit box for the time you are in Hawaii? I would definitely not want to hide it in the hotel room. Just too risky IMO and since the hotel doesn't have a safe for guest's jewels this might be a suitable option. I also would not want to wear it on the beach. It would be difficult to have fun in the sand/sun/ocean knowing I was trying to protect my ER. I never wear it when we are engaged in activities like that- it would detract from my fun. Just my .02.

Enjoy your wonderful trip and come back with lots of pics please!!!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Just wear it! Life is too short to worry about all of this. It's insured so you're covered. As far as damage to the ring, life is FILLED with things that will scratch it up and that's just life... those are memories you are engraving into your ring... As for it slipping off in the water, I agree that getting another smaller band just to hold it on is a great idea. If any of my unsizable rings ever get too big for me, that's what I plan to do.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

Just wear it! Life is too short to worry about all of this. It's insured so you're covered. As far as damage to the ring, life is FILLED with things that will scratch it up and that's just life... those are memories you are engraving into your ring... As for it slipping off in the water, I agree that getting another smaller band just to hold it on is a great idea. If any of my unsizable rings ever get too big for me, that's what I plan to do.

I totally agree! I think you're overthinking this. Just wear it in good health and enjoy your trip. I doubt a bit of frolicking in the sand and ocean will damage your (perfect) ring beyond repair. Or, I can just join your FI and you can stay home with my DH and crazy kids in cold Ohio

 

[LittleRiver]

I guess I automatically equate Hawaii with honeymoons for some reason.

Me, too! I have been referring to this trip as our "pre-moon"

ETA: Did you go to Hawaii on your honeymoon Zoe?

 

[LittleRiver]

I'm going to go against the trend here and suggest that you leave your ring concealed in the condo when you are heading to the beach. When I am in Hawaii, the last thing I want to be doing is restricting my activities at the beach because I am worrying about my jewelry. Of course, I'm not much for laying on the beach, and tend to spend more time in the water swimming or snorkeling, but the thought of the combination of abrasion from the sand, fingers shrinkage from the water, and sunscreen making everything slippery and goopy makes me leave anything I value and don't want to lose back in a safe place.

Thank you for your perspective, Aoife. My concern is that I really don't have a secure place to leave the ring at the condo. I don't want to spend all day on the beach worrying that my ring will be gone when I get home! But on the other hand, I don't want to worry about damaging or losing my ring either! I will say that I am not super active and envision myself spending more time laying out than anything else.