Planning a summer getaway?

As you pack your suitcase, don’t overlook one important travel decision: what jewelry to bring.

Experts recommend giving as much thought to protecting treasured engagement rings, diamond earrings, necklaces and bracelets as you do to planning your itinerary. For many travelers, that means leaving valuable pieces safely at home and choosing high-quality “travel jewelry” instead.

Siesta Key jeweler Mark Edwards, owner of Created Gems on Ocean Boulevard, has long encouraged customers to consider what he calls travel jewelry.

“Wearing beautiful, man-made jewelry that replicates the look of fine diamonds and gemstones takes the pressure and worry out of travel,” Edwards said.

A third-generation custom jewelry designer originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan, Edwards and his wife, Barbie, have owned Created Gems on Siesta Key for more than 25 years. Drawing on decades of experience in the jewelry industry, the couple built their business around creating elegant, affordable jewelry designed to be worn and enjoyed without the constant worry of loss or theft.

Created gemstones have become something of a well-kept secret among seasoned travelers, Edwards said. Many affluent customers choose to leave their priceless jewelry safely at home while wearing nearly identical created pieces on vacation.

He recalled that several years ago, cast members of The Real Housewives television series appeared on camera wearing jewelry from Created Gems. To viewers, the pieces looked indistinguishable from natural diamonds.

Created Gems is the exclusive distributor of trademarked Spektralyte Diamonds, which Edwards describes as permanent, D-flawless, lab-created diamonds that match the cut, clarity and faceting of high-quality natural diamonds.

Many of his customers wear Spektralyte jewelry every day.

“While on vacation, they travel knowing they don’t have to worry if their jewelry is lost or stolen because we can replicate the piece if needed,” Edwards said.

National Survey

A survey commissioned by Jewelers Mutual, a national jewelry insurance company, found that travel jewelry has become increasingly popular.

The survey included more than 1,500 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who own at least one piece of fine jewelry. Eighty percent of respondents said they wear travel jewelry while keeping their valuable pieces secured at home or in another safe location.

Diamond stud earrings and engagement rings are among the most commonly worn pieces of jewelry, but they are also among the easiest to lose.

According to the survey, 87% of women wear their engagement rings while traveling. Beaches, hotel rooms and vacation destinations are among the most common places where valuable jewelry is misplaced or lost.

“Wearing an engagement ring that looks just like the one you love, along with a beautiful everyday necklace, offers real peace of mind,” Edwards said.

He added that created jewelry also allows people to enjoy elegant accessories at weddings, galas and other formal events without worrying about wearing expensive heirlooms or irreplaceable pieces.

“We have a wide selection of exquisite necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings that anyone would envy,” Edwards said. “If someone loses one of our diamond stud earrings or accidentally leaves behind a bracelet, it can be replaced very affordably. Only you will know you’re not wearing the real thing.”

Expert Tips for Traveling with Jewelry

Whether your jewelry is natural or lab-created, security experts recommend wearing it on your person while traveling rather than packing it loosely in luggage.

A thief at an airport, hotel or busy tourist destination won’t stop to determine whether jewelry is genuine before attempting to steal it.

Chubb Insurance recommends storing valuable jewelry in a hotel’s main safe rather than an in-room safe whenever possible. The company also advises packing jewelry in plain, unmarked containers to reduce the risk of theft during transit.

If you must pack jewelry you won’t be wearing, place it in a zippered travel jewelry case and keep it in your carry-on luggage. Experts strongly discourage placing valuable jewelry in checked baggage.

It’s also wise to photograph and document valuable pieces before traveling in case an insurance claim becomes necessary.

“It’s wonderful to dress up and add beautiful jewelry for a special evening,” Edwards said. “Jewelry adds elegance to any occasion. There’s already enough to worry about when you’re traveling. Knowing you can wear something beautiful without worrying about losing it gives people tremendous peace of mind.”

Created Gems is located at 5212 Ocean Blvd. on Siesta Key. For more information, call 941-346-0988.