Packing for air travel can be particularly challenging as you attempt to protect your valuable and often sentimental jewelry from harm without sacrificing too much space within your luggage. When you travel with jewelry, you want to ensure that it arrives at your destination and that it remains unharmed. The Transportation Security Administration recommends that airline passengers refrain from wearing jewelry that contains metal to expedite security checkpoints, but also recommends that you keep valuable items including jewelry with you rather than in checked baggage when you travel. Many people do not want to sacrifice having jewelry with them during travel, leading to the need for an efficient and protective way to secure jewelry in a carryon bag or purse.

One way to protect and transport jewelry conveniently is to purchase a jewelry travel case that is equipped to secure and protect the types and quantity of jewelry you will be carrying. Travel cases for jewelry are available from many sources and vary in capacity, price and design. In purchasing a travel case, be sure to take into consideration the types and amount of jewelry that will travel with you, and select a case that will accommodate your needs yet consume minimal space in your luggage.

Packing jewelry safely within your suitcase, however, does not have to involve investing in a jewelry case. You may safely and economically pack your jewelry by securing it with cardboard or heavy paper. Individual necklaces can be packed within cardboard enclosures created by first cutting cardboard rectangles that measure slightly more than twice the length of each chain. This may be accomplished by securing each necklace within two slits that have been cut at one end of each rectangle, and folding the rectangle in half to cover the chain. The cardboard enclosure can then be taped together or placed within a snug baggie that allows the chain minimal space to shift. Earrings and bracelets can be secured with cardboard or heavy paper in a similar manner. The goal is to create a sturdy enclosure that prevents necklaces from becoming entangled and protects all jewelry from harm brought on by potential compression and impact.

Keeping valuable items such as jewelry with you as you travel ensures that they will arrive with you at your destination in the improbable circumstance that your checked baggage does not. Whether you opt for the do-it-yourself approach or purchase a jewelry travel case to meet your needs, be aware that you may request a private security screening if you are traveling with large amounts of valuables and would prefer to protect your privacy.