Going to NY city soon - I don't wear jewelry except for an engagement ring which has a diamond of pretty good size (nearly 2k). Haven't been in NY for ages, so I don't know whether it's safe to wear something like this or if I'd be better off leaving it at home.

Advice?

sue: ya gotta be kidding, right?

Sue honey,
(not bragging just the facts)
my wedding band contains a 4k stone.I never take it off.I live in NYC.
Maybe if you were in the worst of neighborhoods(believe me-you won't be)in the middle of the night, you might worry.But there is no real reason to be concerned.BUT- if it interferes with your good time in NY, then leave the ring at home!
This city is full of women with all kinds of jewelry that you and I just dream about and they wear it!!

I pity the fool that wears jewelery in NY

What NoNames doesn't know is that those rich and famous women are famous for wearing huge knock-off's for day-to-day wear. The good stuff is in the safe for special occasions when they are in their limos.

Leave it home.

IKnow has no idea if NONames is one of those rich women or not, or what is a knock off or not.
I wear my rings and necklaces to the city all the time, never had a problem, don't know anyone who has.
This is almost an urban legend by now-women who live in NY do not obsess over what jewelry is safe to wear out anymore.

I think this issue has been covered before on this forum, but I'll try to summarize.

Basically, you have to ask yourself two questions. Are you concerned about the monetary issue if the ring is stolen? If so, then an insurance policy can usually take care of that.

However, for many people, it's more of a sentimental value or safety issue. In that case, you're better off leaving anything of value at home. Insurance doesn't give you back a piece that has sentimental value. Personally, I never travel with my good jewelry on the theory that no amount of insurance will compensate if I'm injured or killed in the course of a robbery. And if that's not enough to convince you, ask yourself this: Who knows you in NY? Are you trying to impress strangers?

This is just MHO, and what ever you decide, I hope you have a great time!

Just want to add to my previous post to clarify a point. When I say that I don't travel with good jewelry, I'm not in any way suggesting that wearing fake diamonds are safer than wearing the real thing. I still think that could place you at risk for injury. What I meant to say was that when I travel (and I this is not limited to NYC) I generally just wear some nice silver or enamel pieces.

I appreciate the concern you might have but think about it: many many women who live/work in NYC wear their engagement rings and other jewelry every day just like you do when you are at home. I am willing to bet you are in more danger of having the ring stolen from your house while you are on vacation than from your person while you are in NYC. (after all, don't most break-ins happen while people are on vacation?).

I would not think twice about wearing it.

Oh, sorry, i forgot to add that I am not randomly providing advice. I worked in NYC for 2 years, and lived just outside of there (In Hoboken NJ) and thus visited NY frequently for 5 years.

sue:
My engagement ring is insured and never leaves my finger. I have worked in NYC for over 17 years. I ride the subway every day.
I (thank God) have never had a problem of any kind.
My very smart Mother told me a long time ago that if someone wants to steal something from you, give it to them. Your jewelry or money is replacable. You are not.
I would be upset if it was stolen, be it from me or my home. But that is why I pay for insurance.
God luck and enjoy your visit with us.

Thanks for all the input, particularly the reminder that women who live in NY wear their engagement rings all the time. As an infrequent visitor to NY, I don't think it was an unreasonable question but maybe I've lived in the rural west that I've lost touch with the realities of being in NYC.

Since I am definitely not trying to "impress strangers" (the ring is just such an everyday part of me) and because the sentimental value is significant, in order to be sensible and comfortable, I may just lock it up.

Annie: reading your message may cause me to reconsider. I may just take your pragmatic view to heart and go on as I normally do at home, ring on finger. Thank you.

I agree with annie! if NYC is your hometown, you wear your jewelry, but if you visit, it isn't safe?
Whatever makes you comfortable is the best advice I think.
I have lived in NYC for 30 years, and have worn my rings every day, everywhere I went, and have never been robbed.
Would you wear that ring to London or Paris?

sue;
You are Welcome! Hope you have a grand time while you are here!

If you get in a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, just twist the stone to the inside of you hand so it looks like you are wearing a plane band from the outside.

Don't worry, Sue - the average rock size in Manhattan is >2 carats so yours won't stand out.

Leave your jewelry at home. What is your address?

There was a long stretch of time when people didn't wear their jewelry in public places like subways, or walking in crowds. Robberies were frequent, there was alot of chain-snatching (from around people's necks), etc.

It hasn't been like that for some time. Years. I no longer would think about removing jewelry to go on the subway, or about turning a ring so a stone didn't show (which is great advice).

I myself would take a really good piece of jewelry on a trip only if I planned to wear it all the time--what I wouldn't do is leave it in a hotel room.
I would be okay about leaving it in an in-room safe however.

Elizabeth,
Obviously a person with common sense wouldnt leave a piece of jewelry sitting out in a hotel room but I also think the in-room safes are not as secure as one would think. I would never leave my jewelry in them when i was out. i use in room safes for return travel docs, cell phones, palm pilots, second set of cash and camera. nothing sentimental. when i travel, i ask if this is lost or stolen (other than my person and jewelry on me at all times) how upset or how much of an inconvenience is it to replace. if its too much...its too much of a mental distraction to take and worry about.