Do You Need A Travel Engagement Ring? Maybe!

There’s a valuable lesson to be gleaned from Kim Kardashian’s recent court win in Paris against a crime ring who stole millions of dollars jewelry from her hotel room. Included in the items taken from Kardashian back in 2016 was her 18.88 carat diamond engagement ring from Kayne West, which a decade ago had an estimated price tag of over four million dollars. While most of us don’t have a multi-million-dollar jewelry collection like Kardashian, the heist does serve as a stark reminder to all of us about potential problems that can come when travelling with precious gems.

Wearing flashy jewelry while away from home in parts of the world unknown to you can pose a safety risk. According to Mercedes Smith, owner and designer at Toronto-based jewelry studio Alexis Gallery, with engagement ring centre stone size on the rise (two carats are now the norm thanks to lab grown diamonds), she’s hearing more from clients on the subject of being nervous to travel with their ring. Smith says this is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to your choice of engagement bling.

“We always encourage couples to think about lifestyle as a factor in their engagement ring decision making, and travel is a big consideration,” Smith shares. “A ring with a large centre stone can naturally trigger thoughts about how comfortable you will feel wearing it when travelling.”

Smith says there are two options to consider if you are questioning feeling safe wearing your engagement ring away from home. You can opt for a design and carat weight you are more comfortable wearing every day and everywhere or plan for a travel ring. “In my experience, most people opt for the latter, because who says no to more jewelry?”

Read on for Smith’s thoughts on creating a travel engagement ring and why it’s a great idea for both women and men to consider.

What type of design do you recommend for a travel engagement ring?

“We are all about custom, so a travel ring is going to look different for every person. For some, it’s as simple as finding a costume-grade dupe that reflects the design of their engagement ring. If you have a classic solitaire this option can work well. For a more intricate design making a replica ring with semi-fine materials, like swapping platinum for silver and diamonds for cubic zirconia, is a great option and perfect if you can’t imagine anything different on your finger. Another option is to plan for a boulder, more striking wedding band which can be a standalone piece. Think of detailing it with unique details like milgrain, engraving or fancy shaped diamonds. If you want a totally bespoke piece, I love the idea of a fun custom travel ring. People put a lot of pressure on their engagement ring to choose a timeless style. A standalone travel ring can take the pressure off and allow you to design something a bit more fun.”

If you want to create a unique travel engagement ring, how can you keep the budget in check?

“This is a time in the jewelry industry being redefined by new materials like lab grown diamonds which can have a big impact on bringing down budgets. The budget couples thought they ‘should’ spend on one ring is now perhaps enough for two. Couples today can re-evaluate things and how they are spending their money. I love the idea of playing with coloured gemstones to open the door to creative possibilities and help stretch your budget.”

Why is a travel wedding ring something men should also consider?

“Many men are opting for engagement rings too, as well as diamond-embellished wedding bands, which means they also need to think about travelling with their jewelry. The biggest factors most men need to consider with their rings are durability, fit and risk. Durability comes into play if you are wearing your ring when being active doing things like bike riding—a ring can be uncomfortable and get damaged. Climate fluctuations can affect fit and cause your ring to become too tight or too loose. And there’s always a risk factor of leaving that ring behind if you are on a trip with lots of stops along the way. Silicone rings are a great option that address all these concerns and while they may not be as sophisticated as gold and diamonds, they keep your finger from feeling lonely and signify your commitment to your partner.” —Alison McGill

Photo by @alexisgallery