With vacation season in full swing, millions of travelers are packing more than swimsuits and sunscreen. According to Jewelers Mutual Group's 2026 Travel Study, fine jewelry has become an essential part of the travel experience, but taking treasured pieces on the road also dramatically increases the chances of them being lost or stolen.
The study found that 85% of consumers always or sometimes travel with fine jewelry, while 40% purchased jewelry during a trip in the past year. Nearly six in 10 of those shoppers wore their newly acquired jewelry home, often before obtaining an appraisal or insurance coverage.
Unfortunately, travel also creates more opportunities for mishaps. Jewelers Mutual reported that travel-related jewelry losses are 2.5 times more likely to occur while jewelry is being worn than while it's packed. In fact, 61% of travelers were wearing their jewelry when it was lost, while 46% were wearing it when it was stolen.
The research also identified three locations where travelers should exercise extra caution. Thirty percent of travel jewelry losses (and 19% of thefts) occur near water, where sunscreen, cool water and perspiration can cause rings to slip from fingers. Hotels account for 20% of losses and 26% of thefts, while airports are responsible for 13% of losses and 15% of thefts.
"Jewelry loss while traveling is more common than most people expect, and it rarely happens the way they think it will," said Howard Stone, Vice President, Global Asset Protection and Claims at Jewelers Mutual. "The ring left on a poolside table. The necklace worn through a busy airport. These are the moments that matter, and [loss is] entirely preventable with the right habits."
The study also revealed a generational divide. Travelers ages 18 to 34 reported jewelry losses at two to three times the rate of older travelers, likely because younger consumers tend to wear jewelry more frequently and view it as an everyday fashion accessory.
For the many couples who regularly travel with their engagement rings — 87% of respondents said they bring theirs — Jewelers Mutual recommends a few simple precautions: Avoid wearing rings in or around pools, beaches or other bodies of water. When a ring isn't being worn, store it in the hotel's safe rather than leaving it on a bathroom counter or hotel room nightstand.
The insurer also recommends photographing jewelry before departure, carrying pieces only in a carry-on bag (never in checked luggage), using protective travel cases or soft pouches, and making sure valuable jewelry is covered by specialized jewelry insurance.
"What surprises many people after a loss is not that it happened—it's that they thought they were covered," Stone noted. "Standard homeowners and renters policies often fall short on jewelry, particularly for higher-value or one-of-a-kind pieces."
The Jewelers Mutual 2026 Travel Study was conducted in February 2026 via an online survey through Qualtrics. More than 1,500 respondents in the US aged 18+ responsible for making insurance decisions in their households were recruited via an online research panel and surveyed via online self-completion.
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