Isabella_D

Two days ago my engagement ring was lost or stolen going through the departure security gate in Terminal 1. I had put my ring in a tray along with some other stuff. After going through the scanner I picked up the tray and my went suitcase and took it to a table nearby; I then took my things out of the tray, picked up my suitcase and took it to a nearby seat where I put my things in my bag and zipped it up. Realised I didn't have my ring, went back to table/tray but no ring there; searched through suitcase but not there either.

I tried talking to security officials, information, lost property, Guardia Civil, Police etc but noone really cared or helped thoroughly search for my ring. Police told me to call to make a denuncia but I see online that violent force must be involved in a robbery, not where the thief is unknown.

There was a security camera above the table where my tray was, and I really want airport staff/police to review this. I know that a civilian may have stolen it, but due to the especial unhelpfulness of security staff, I have reason to suspect that one of the stole it.

It is very valuable, both monetarily and sentimentally.

Does anyone have any advice for what I can do, people I can talk to who will LISTEN?

jamikins

I am so sorry this happened!! I don't have any advice unfortunately! Is there a reason you had to take it off to go through security?? I have never taken any jewellery off and haven't ever seen anyone being requested to do so, so I am just curious...

Best of luck!!

Isabella_D

I thought all metal items had to be removed, if I erred on the side of caution then it is obviously unfortunate given what happened - but that doesn't mean it was OK for my ring to be stolen!

Christina

That is really too bad, what a shock. I've never been asked to take off any jewelry at any airport, either, not even at Madrid, not even watches (but I don't wear real big stuff).

If you had insurance, I would hope they'd pay like any claim for something that is "lost" (as you don't even really know if anyone stole it, unfortunately, it could have just been brushed aside in that machine or fallen somewhere). Maybe it was stolen, the probably is you don't really even know that for a fact. I don't know what a denuncia is but there must be a way to report a loss even if not a robbery, so at least you'd have records of it.

Maybe someone else would know how you could get them to review the security camera. good luck

jamikins

Where did I say it was ok for your ring to be stolen???? It's a horrible thing to have happened to you!!

In future do not remove any jewellery unless asked and then don't leave it loose to attract any attn, put in a pocket of your purse...

I really hope you get the ring back!!!

Pegontheroad

What a shame! I'm quite paranoid about the location of my belongings when I go through the security check, and I don't think I'd take off a ring.

P_M

I am so very sorry this happened, I can only imagine the sense of loss you must be feeling. I know this advice comes too late but like everyone else on this thread I have never had to remove jewellry when clearing security. I was just in Madrid a month ago and as usual I did not take off my rings.

I like Christina's idea for reviewing the security video but otherwise I don't think you have much recourse. I'm sorry and I really hate this for you.

MelJ

I'm so sorry this happened to you and, if nothing else, take a little comfort in the fact that you have provided a cautionary tale for those who seldom travel. We have always brought a plastic bag into which my husband drops our watches, change, money clip, etc. I never take off my rings or earrings and I've never set anything off.

To be doubly safe, we slip the plastic bag into my purse as it goes on the scanner. No way I'll forget to pick up my purse! One other thing I do, which may seem silly, but I put my engagement ring behind my wedding band so that if anything slips off at any point (washing, etc.) it will be the band and not the diamond ring.

I do hope this turns out well for you. My friend threw her engagement ring in the trash by mistake once and her homeowners insurance reimbursed her.

Good luck.

Cathinjoetown

As far as your insurance is convpcerned, report it stolen, assume the odds are 60-40 that is was stolen and you did report it.

P_M

On the very odd chance it was found by an honest person who turned it in, you might get it back. I wouldn't count on that but there's no harm in trying.

Sassafrass

I just can't tell you how sorry I feel for you. No matter how, why or who, losing something like an engagemnt ring is awful. The least they could have done was review the security tape. That would have told you something. I also doubt it was caught in the machine, but it is impossible to know. In a crazy way, that makes it even worse. I hope with time, it won't seem so bad.

johnnyomalley

I'm so sorry. Perhaps start with your insurance company and see what advice they give you. You could also try contacting the airport authority directly. They must have a lost item department.

I leave my good jewelry at home and have a fake ring that I wear for travelling.

BigRuss

In terms of retrieving it, won't happen unless you have serious connections with Spanish officialdom. It's terrible, but it's true.

File for insurance.

pookymimi

"I had put my ring in a tray along with some other stuff."

Why? Did somebody ask you to put it on the tray, why would you do that? Have you done that in the States before?

I'm very sorry, but lesson learned. Never take jewelry as those metals aren't an issue and be very suspicious of anybody who ever asks you to remove rings or earrings.

At this point I would grieve over it, throw a lots of pity parties and move on. You won't get it back as its long gone, call your insurance agency and report it stolen, don't tell them you willingly removed it as they may not cover it. Ask your fiance to provide the receipt so they see how expensive it is and the jewelry store can reproduce it to the T.

On a bright side it wasn't your wedding ring, that would hurt me the most.

A friend of mine got her wedding ring stolen at home by a friend of her daughter and the insurance cover to the last penny.

Christina

I can understand why someone who didn't travel a lot might think you had to remove jewelry if you are standing in line and watching people put their watches and belts in those trays. However, in the future, it would be a good idea if you plan to do that to not remove expensive jewelry unless required by the agents, or at least to put it inside something like your purse not just leaving it lying out in public.

yipper

I sympathize with you. I have an expensive watch and I am paranoid about having to take it off. I recently realized that I should put it in my purse. It took some time for the light to dawn. It is the first item I look for in the tray. Go for the insurance.

Sorry, Yipper

Micheline

She just had her ring stolen and she doesn't need any preaching! I'm so sorry Isabella.

nytraveler

I'm sorry you had this loss and hope it is fully insured.

I have never seen anyone take jewelry off going through security and it seems a very odd thing to do - certainly for something as small and valauble a a ring. (This isn;t like takig out a whole pocketful of change or a belt with a very large metal buckle.)

The purpose of the security team/camera is passenger safety - not theft - and I can't imagine that they will review this for your ring (even if it was clear enough to see what happened) - even if it was the Koh i- noor. One of my colleagues had her lap top taken when she was delayed for a moment going into the viewing booth (at DFW) and as soon as she spottted it went to the security guard. The response: file with your insurance company. This is NOT their purview.

When I travel the only valuable jewelty I take is what I will never take off - engagement and wedding rings. Everything else has minimal value - from a Mickey Mouse watch to a couple of pieces of costume jewelry.

pookymimi

"She just had her ring stolen and she doesn't need any preaching!"

I'm not preaching I'm just saying it like it is, I bet some here want to say much more to her than I'm sorry for your loss. Why sugar coating the fact she unaware made a mistake that it cost her to lose her engagement ring?

I'm even giving advice on filing with her insurance as I'm not even sure if they will cover her if she says she threw her valuable ring through the scanner, insurances are difficult to deal with if you haven't been robbed, but you've lost something and trying to get them to replace it.

I lost my wedding band several years ago, irreplaceable because I got in Chile, 18k gold and with a special engraving, It fell of my finger while driving. I couldn't find it after looking back and for on that street for days.
I grieved it and let it go. Today I only wear a simple diamond ring my husband got me three years ago, I didn't have the option to go back to get the exact band nor filing with the insurance.

My friend got her wedding ring stolen from her jewelry box, a ring that she'd had for over 25 years, she hadn't taken it off but just at home.

jubilada

She already knows she made a mistake, pookymimi. She is asking for help recovering it. Not good advice to tell her to commit insurance fraud, though, imo.

Alas, Isabella, I concur with the others that the security tape will not be made available to you. I think insurance is your only recourse. I am sorry this happened to you.