Marion Fasel, a jewelry archivist based in New York, experienced a personal loss when thieves robbed her office in 1992, taking an array of gems including a Les Must de Cartier watch she wore regularly. Despite the trauma, Fasel has continued to wear her favorite jewelry in public, emphasizing caution over avoidance. Her experience resonates amid a recent spate of high-profile jewelry thefts, including the theft of 27 pieces from France’s Lalique Museum and, less than a year earlier, the $100 million French crown jewels stolen from the Louvre by thieves disguised as construction workers.

Jewelry remains a frequent target for burglars despite an overall 13% decline in residential burglaries in the United States last year, according to FBI statistics. Scott Guginsky, a former NYPD detective sergeant and current executive vice president of the Jewelry Security Alliance, notes that after cash, jewelry is among the most sought-after items by thieves.

Protecting jewelry at home requires strategic planning. Guginsky advises discretion during home gatherings and maintenance work, as these occasions can present opportunities for theft. He highlights the primary bedroom closet as a typical initial target for burglars and recommends keeping a decoy safe there while storing valuable items elsewhere in the residence. Insurance provider Chubb suggests using safes weighing at least 750 pounds and rated TR TL-30×6 for resistance against professional burglary tools such as torches. Additionally, owners should maintain current appraisals with detailed specifications and estimated values, storing these documents separately from the jewelry to aid in recovery if stolen. Insurance policies generally cost about 1% to 2% of a piece’s value annually and offer financial protection against theft or damage.

When traveling, the risk of jewelry theft increases, particularly for those wearing conspicuous high-value items such as gold or luxury watches. Guginsky recommends keeping valuables in carry-on luggage to reduce the risk of loss. Fasel opts to pack each piece in small, clear bags to prevent scratching and facilitate identification. To minimize visibility and potential targeting in public spaces, she suggests wearing long sleeves to conceal watches and turning rings so that stones are not outward-facing. Brynn Wallner, founder of the watch-focused website Dimepiece, additionally advises traveling with less expensive alternatives to avoid risking prized items.

Hotel security precautions also play a role in protecting jewelry while on vacation. Tannie Ng, vice president of art, jewelry, and valuable collections at Chubb, recommends inquiring about private vault facilities rather than relying solely on in-room safes, which are often easily accessible to others. For further safety, travelers are urged to delay sharing travel photos on social media until after returning home, as real-time posts can indicate an absence and increase the risk of burglary.

Together, these measures offer a layered approach to safeguarding jewelry collections from theft in both domestic and travel contexts.