Is it safe to take expensive jewlery
Mar 15th, 2006, 01:30 AM
#21
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The thing about diamonds is that they are assessed by the Four Cs
cut, clarity, carat and colour.
A five carat diamond with superior colour and clarity would be way beyond the budget of somebody using this board.
With diamonds, size isn't the main quality .
cut, clarity, carat and colour.
A five carat diamond with superior colour and clarity would be way beyond the budget of somebody using this board.
With diamonds, size isn't the main quality .
Mar 15th, 2006, 02:23 AM
#22
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A bit off topic, but I can remember a TV interview with Elizabeth Taylor.
She said that she had asked for a perfect diamond and that Richard Burton had found one for her.
It was actually not very big, but she said that it was flawless, and was in the highest category for colour and clarity.
She said that she had asked for a perfect diamond and that Richard Burton had found one for her.
It was actually not very big, but she said that it was flawless, and was in the highest category for colour and clarity.
Mar 15th, 2006, 06:18 AM
#24
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I never take any jewelry with me that I would hate to loose such as big diamonds, or heirlooms. I am such a clutz - I don't have to worry about it being stolen - I just loose it when I take it off. I wear a simple wedding band. I just feel more comfortable.
Mar 15th, 2006, 06:26 AM
#25
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I would worry more about the attention a ring that large would attract. While it may not be feasible that a pickpocket steal the ring, it would probably show them that it's worth their while to attempt to steal a wallet, etc.
Mar 15th, 2006, 06:51 AM
#26
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I take off all the jewelry that I would absolutely hate to lose for value or sentimental reasons. It would just be too upsetting to me to lose certain sentimental jewelry.
Also probably a hot topic but there are alot of mis/displaced immigrants w/o income in, say, Rome these days and maybe they don't know the rules of not physically assaulting a tourist. Generally the alleys are safe but I wouldn't want to be flashing diamonds as I stroll along them at night.
Also probably a hot topic but there are alot of mis/displaced immigrants w/o income in, say, Rome these days and maybe they don't know the rules of not physically assaulting a tourist. Generally the alleys are safe but I wouldn't want to be flashing diamonds as I stroll along them at night.
Mar 15th, 2006, 07:03 AM
#28
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I only wear jewelry that I will not take off - same earrings, watch, necklace, bracelet, etc., and low key. If you are worried about it - leave it home. Why do you want the extra stress of worrying about it. Me personally would never want to remember my trip as the one where I lost...............
Mar 15th, 2006, 07:25 AM
#29
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I wore my 2 carat solitaire engagement ring in Germany and in northern Italy (and Rome) with no problems at all. I do tend to spin it around backwards when on trains/metros. I did not bring it with me last May when we visited Naples and southern Italy. In retrospect, I honestly don't believe anything would have happened if I had but I didn't want to invite trouble. My band is diamond too but it fits so well that someone really would have to pull off my finger to get at it, LOL ;-) If the ring is insured then go ahead and wear it if you want to. A 5 carat ring IS going to stand out a little so just take some extra precautions such as turning it around when you're on public transportation. LoveItaly's idea of the purse pouch is excellent too
Mar 15th, 2006, 08:05 AM
#30
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Wow - a deja vu experience. I was talking to another friend in the travel business last week (different companies) re bringing jewelry on vacation. I'm against taking the big, gaudy, expensive stuff (so is my friend). Too much going on in the world right now, so why bring more attention to yourself?
This next thing is gross: my friend tells me that last year, a woman on one of their trips had her hand cut off by someone who wanted her large diamond ring. It was tight on her finger, and wouldn't come off without a struggle...so they cut off her hand instead. Now let me say that I'm more than a bit skeptical about this story...mostly because I'm SURE something would have been written about it in the trade papers or the regular media if it had really happened.
But re bringing attention to yourself, I escorted a group a few years ago (to Cancun) where one couple's room was robbed in the middle of the night ($2500 jewelry and $1500 in cash)...the couple slept through it! The couple didn't lock anything up since they were in the room. The thief climbed over the 3rd floor balcony and found everything on the dresser...they never caught him. I think the reason they were targeted was because she wore lots of large (LARGE), expensive jewelry. Not a good idea.
If you can afford (monetarily and/or emotionally) to lose your ring, then take it. It wouldn't be my choice.
This next thing is gross: my friend tells me that last year, a woman on one of their trips had her hand cut off by someone who wanted her large diamond ring. It was tight on her finger, and wouldn't come off without a struggle...so they cut off her hand instead. Now let me say that I'm more than a bit skeptical about this story...mostly because I'm SURE something would have been written about it in the trade papers or the regular media if it had really happened.
But re bringing attention to yourself, I escorted a group a few years ago (to Cancun) where one couple's room was robbed in the middle of the night ($2500 jewelry and $1500 in cash)...the couple slept through it! The couple didn't lock anything up since they were in the room. The thief climbed over the 3rd floor balcony and found everything on the dresser...they never caught him. I think the reason they were targeted was because she wore lots of large (LARGE), expensive jewelry. Not a good idea.
If you can afford (monetarily and/or emotionally) to lose your ring, then take it. It wouldn't be my choice.
Mar 15th, 2006, 11:46 AM
#31
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Rome crawls with pickpockets. While it takes a Neapolitan to take ring off your finger without your knowing about it, the diamonds will alert Roman pickpockets to the value of the rest of your gear. Leave it (at home) locked in a safe. Pickpockets are essentially unknown in Tuscany outside of Florence and Siena, and they are fairly rare in both of those places.
Mar 15th, 2006, 12:01 PM
#33
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The story, "someone" had their finger or hand cutoff so their ring could be stolen has been floating around as long as I can remember. Strange there is never any news reports regarding these horrible crime stories.
And Seaurchin is correct, Rome does have a lot of immigrants etc. and one does want to be careful. But we have a lot of immigrants and lots of crime in California too, a lot caused by residents.
And if I never wore any piece of jewelry that held sentimental value for me I would not wear any of my jewelry as ever piece I own has been handed down to me by family members or purchased for me by my husband or family members with the exception of a couple of pieces I purchased for myself.
Just a side note. I have a beautiful gold cross that was in my father's London family since the mid 1850's. It was passed down to me. I wore it to Italy. I was in the region of Veneto and the chain broke. I mentioned it to a good friend whom I was staying with. She took me to the jewelry store that she has always used the next day and we left my cross there so the chain could be repaired.
About 4 days went by and I was wondering when I would get this precious cross back. My friend and her husband and I had gone to dinner that 4th night and on the way home to their home the husband stopped outside of a small bar where the local fellows sat and played cards and drank until the early morning hours. Friend's husband owned the property on that block, the owners of the bar rented the space from him.
So friend's husband goes into the bar, this was about midnight, comes out a moment later and hands me a small package. Inside was a small jewelry box with my cross and the repaired chain.
The jewelry store owner had brought it to us, we were not home, so he left it with the barowner and called my friends husband to tell him where to pick it up. My dear London born and bred paternal grandmother would have had a heart attack if she had known where her family's cross ended up I am sure.
And Seaurchin is correct, Rome does have a lot of immigrants etc. and one does want to be careful. But we have a lot of immigrants and lots of crime in California too, a lot caused by residents.
And if I never wore any piece of jewelry that held sentimental value for me I would not wear any of my jewelry as ever piece I own has been handed down to me by family members or purchased for me by my husband or family members with the exception of a couple of pieces I purchased for myself.
Just a side note. I have a beautiful gold cross that was in my father's London family since the mid 1850's. It was passed down to me. I wore it to Italy. I was in the region of Veneto and the chain broke. I mentioned it to a good friend whom I was staying with. She took me to the jewelry store that she has always used the next day and we left my cross there so the chain could be repaired.
About 4 days went by and I was wondering when I would get this precious cross back. My friend and her husband and I had gone to dinner that 4th night and on the way home to their home the husband stopped outside of a small bar where the local fellows sat and played cards and drank until the early morning hours. Friend's husband owned the property on that block, the owners of the bar rented the space from him.
So friend's husband goes into the bar, this was about midnight, comes out a moment later and hands me a small package. Inside was a small jewelry box with my cross and the repaired chain.
The jewelry store owner had brought it to us, we were not home, so he left it with the barowner and called my friends husband to tell him where to pick it up. My dear London born and bred paternal grandmother would have had a heart attack if she had known where her family's cross ended up I am sure.
Mar 15th, 2006, 12:32 PM
#35
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Having taken two trips to Italy and Paris recently I can tell you that after I returned home both times, I realized I could have worn my 4 carat wedding ring but both times I left it at home and wore a plain gold band.
I am returning to Paris again this year and will once again wear the plain gold band.
I figure it brings less attention to me if I don't wear it and I do it for safety reasons.
I am returning to Paris again this year and will once again wear the plain gold band.
I figure it brings less attention to me if I don't wear it and I do it for safety reasons.
Mar 15th, 2006, 01:10 PM
#36
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I would bet there's less chance of a house being robbed then misplacing/losing jewelry while on a trip.
Besides, there are plenty of places to hide jewelry in a home that any thief wouldn't take the time to search out. Not to mention that many people have safe deposit boxes--which is where Mrs. Fly's gems go when we travel.
Besides, there are plenty of places to hide jewelry in a home that any thief wouldn't take the time to search out. Not to mention that many people have safe deposit boxes--which is where Mrs. Fly's gems go when we travel.
Mar 15th, 2006, 01:29 PM
#37
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As long as you have insurance you have nothing to worry about. I always wear expensive watches abroad and take the same care and attention as I do at home.
Also, Italians always wear their "best jewellery" as everyday jewellery so it's not as if you'll stick out.
Also, Italians always wear their "best jewellery" as everyday jewellery so it's not as if you'll stick out.
Mar 15th, 2006, 02:02 PM
#40
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generally speaking, most europeans don't even think to look at the engagement ring. large solitaires are much more coveted in the US and therefore attract alot more attention. europeans don't care as much about having a large engagement ring, so it makes sense they wouldn't look there. p.s.: they will however notice a black gucci suit in florence!
