Is it safe to wear good jewelry in NYC?
 

I have always heard that it is not safe to wear good jewelry in NYC, but people live there and they must wear wedding rings, bracelets, earrings etc.every day and special pieces for special events! Will miss wearing my usual 2 rings and bracelet, but would miss them more if stolen. Staying with a friend so hotel theft not an issue. Thanks.

As save as an other big city. Unless you travel with 10 million dollars of jewelry.

I would assume that you don't mean exceedingly expensive jewelry. I generally think of it this way: unless you are in the 1%, and you travel with a diamond necklace, there will be a lot more people in NYC with that make more tempting targets than you.

That said, though, I don't travel with jewelry much. Not because of theft, but because it's so very easy to misplace when you are in an unfamiliar environment. If this jewelry is something you never take off (wedding ring, cross) I wouldn't hesitate. If it's "dress up" jewelry that has a sentimental value, your better off leaving it home.

I'm sorry but this whole Kim Kardashian "thing" is getting out of hand. And that "friend" of yours? Are they bonded and insured?

If your wedding rings contain large stones, turn them around so the stones are hidden if you're in a situation where your feel uneasy and think they might attract
attention.

Seriously? Even DeBlasio hasn't ruined NYC to the point where it's Chicago or Detroit or Oakland. Instead, NYC is still one of the safest large cities in the country. This question assumes that NYC is the same as it was 25 years ago. It's not.

I don't really understand how anyone can wear 2 rings and a bracelet 24/7 or why they would want to. This sounds uncomfortable to me, not to mention totally inappropriate in many situations (ie gym or at the beach) and in bad taste. If you mean your wedding and engagement ring, I understand that, I don't get why you need to wear an obviously expensive bracelet every day of your life (you wouldn't be mentioning it if it didn't have some kind of real jewels in it, I would presume).

But if you must, I don't see any problem with it in NYC myself, nor worry that people will be ripping your hands off, as long as you don't take them off anywhere but at your friend's--because the problem most people have is that when they are in a different place and out of their routine, they might put something in a place and forget it. And even at your friends' it could get misplaced if you are out of your routine.


Some people actually don't have "special pieces" for special occasions, as they rarely go to balls or coronations.

Good lord, this thread!

I wear two rings and a bracelet most days, sometimes more bracelets than that, and yes, to the gym as well. How is anyone's *opinion* on this relevant?

The question is, is it safe, and yes, it is, full stop.

I never hesitate to wear jewelry in NYC.
My wedding and engagement rings only come off for surgery and then, only because the hospital requires it.

I would not hesitate to wear any type of jewelery in NYC.

Where and when will you be in "NYC"?

I don't think anyone here can guarantee safety of valuable personal possessions 100%. Depends what kind of jewelry we're talking about. Where you plan to be. If you'll be walking the streets in bad neighborhoods after midnight alone. You get my drift.

As mentioned above, when traveling, someone losing something as you move around, staying in a new place, is more likely that you might misplace something (falls behind the dresser, down the sink drain, etc.) than have your wedding ring stolen off your hand by a stranger on the street.

I am reminded that travel is less worrisome for those who don't wear expensive jewelry and who are not overly concerned about how others will perceive what they are wearing.

HTtY

How very self-satisfied of you, HTty.

I assume you are either unmarried or wear a cigar band for a wedding ring. No engagement ring for you, nor Apple watch, nor any watch of any value whatsoever, sentimental or otherwise. Like the Dalai Lama, you are free of attachment.

For the rest of us, the question was safety. Many, many women wear wedding and engagement rings, and a watch and earrings that are not disposable junk. Many consider this stuff to be their "good" jewelry and would be loathe to expose themselves to danger while wearing them.

This is not foolish, nor is it Kardashian like, and any comments along these lines must be immediately dismissed as trollery.

What you said, Newbe. My jewelry is certainly not Kardashian-like, but most of it is neither disposable nor replaceable. Like I said, I'd be more worried about loss, but I think safety is a valid worry.

Also, I live with the expectation that I will not be victimized (unless I state the obvious on this forum).

"Free from attachment!" I like that. I guess that describes me except for my beloveds.

HTtY

Normal jewelry is safe, since most women in NYC wear it everyday with no problem.

If you are talking about very large rings, or large stones, ostentatious bracelets or necklaces - then you risk attracting attention. And yes, someone may ry to pull it off in the subway or follow you home at night.

But I am assuming you are talking about normal jewelry - not Kardashian type or even close to. If it's the latter than you should travel in a chauffeured limo to match the jewelry.

(A friend of mine had a homeless man try to rip the mink coat off her back in the middle of second avenue at lunch time. Luckily for her is was an ancient coat of her mother's and came apart in his hands - and was essentially worthless. He had apparently followed her from the subway and decided the mangy coat would make his fortune. This was many years ago and was/is extremely rare - but if you flash a lot of bling around you are asking for trouble anyplace in the world.)

Caveat: Most locals would consider flashing a lot of bling on a daily basis to be tacky in the extreme.

After losing (not stolen) several pieces of jewelry that had sentimental value, I now take only fun jewelry when I travel. It might have some monetary value, but no personal attachment. If you are really concerned, wear what you want, just be watchful of taking it off or accidently dropping it someplace.

I think some people are confusing expensive with ostentatious

You can get very flashy "bling" at Ross or Nordstrom Rack for less that $20, or you can have a simple one-carat diamond engagement ring that costs $20.000+. I don't think there is much risk wearing either in NYC, but certainly, I'd cover it up when on the subway or walking in deserted areas.

I personally think carrying an expensive handbag (or a knock off that looks like one) puts you more at risk for random theft, no matter what city.

NYC has been very safe for some time and people wear everyday jewelry all the time. HOWEVER, there have recently ( last 2 weeks or so) been a spate of necklace snatchings on the subway. I am now more careful/aware of what I'm wearing and where I'm going. I do not wear good necklaces on the subway and if I'm wearing "fancy" rings, I either turn them or wear gloves ( it's starting to get cool enough). If you're going to be worried, bring some nice costume jewelry. It's often more fashionable anyway.

I stand by my deleted post.