jewelry
 

I was told by a friend who entered Russia by coach from another country that she and other women were questioned about the jewelry they were wearing. Specifically the size and quality of any diamonds or any other precious stones they were carrying with them. I usually don't bring valuable jewelry with me when I travel, but my wedding ring has several very small diamonds. Has anyone heard of such a thing happening? I would like to avoid problems, but really don't want to leave my ring home.<BR>

Hi<BR>Whether or not anyone has heard of such a thing happening won't matter to you if it does happen to you.<BR><BR>I am no alarmist about safety and I don't even use security belts or hidden wallets when I travel, but I bring no very valuable or sentimental items with me when I travel, just one or two things that could be replaced without tears.<BR><BR>A plain gold band can do as a wedding band for a week or three. It's not that jewelry can't be stolen at home, it just that I don't want to fight insurance bureaucracy or file police reports on foreign soil. Mostly I don't want to spoil my trip.

Hi Lolo,<BR> Elaine has it right.

My experience was that entering Russia the experienced flight crews recommended that every personal item of value be declared so there would be no question leaving the country that you brought it in, rather than acquired, it there.<BR><BR>I also agree with elaine's perspective. I didn't carry or wear anything of inordinate value when I went to Russia, not much different than if I was traveling to Milan or Miami.

Look at it this way. An expensive piece of jewelry might well represent a year's pay, or more, to someone desperate. Crime is higher in Russia than in most of the current EU nations. I think you can add the former to the latter and come up with a very high risk factor. <BR>