Post # 1
Member
350 posts
Helper bee
Hello all,
My husband and I are going to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon. I was born there and have a lot of extended family there and have spent a good amount of time in the country, although would still consider myself somewhat of a tourist.
Anyway, I have been debating what to do about traveling with my rings, particularly my engagement ring. It’s not the world’s fanciest ring or anything, but it is a diamond, and crime has risen dramatically in the DR in recent years. In particular there is a lot of petty theft and muggings and I am worried about it getting stolen. At the same time, it seems sad to not have my rings on our HONEYMOON plus I’m sure my family would love to see them!
Anyone else left their rings behind when traveling abroad?
Post # 3
Member
487 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: March 2009 - Byodo-In Temple, Luau Reception
If you’re concerned, I’d probably go with your initial gut instinct and leave the rings behind. You can always wear a “substitute” ring, something fake (maybe even something from Claires), on your honeymoon that way you still have a “I’m married” ring on your finger. :o)
Post # 4
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I wore mine to the dominican republic but I didn’t go venturing out into the city or anything. I’d turn it around if i felt uncomfortable. I turn mine inside out when i go to this pick-up style chinese restaurant down the street. I work in a crappy area with lots of crime and there are always lots of shady characters sitting around…and i dont’ like the stares my ring can ellicit from some of the derelicts hanging around.
But, if it’s not a big huge diamond or anything, I doubt anybody will relly notice and think it’s worth their time and effort to steal it.
I just wear mine everywhere….our resort in the DR was a honeymoon place and so many people went ringless! I would have felt sad and naked without mine!
Post # 5
Member
1509 posts
Bumble bee
If you feel concerned, don’t wear it. Buy a subsitute ring or just wear your wedding band. Also, as long as you have it insured, you will be fine in any case, but if you don’t think you will be comfortable and will be worrying the whole time, leave it at home.
Post # 6
Member
350 posts
Helper bee
Thanks ladies! I like the idea of a substitute ring – maybe a cheap one from Claire’s! I wouldn’t want to go into the beach with my real rings anyway, for fear of them getting ruined somehow. This is probably what I will do. My photographer took some nice closeup shots of our rings so maybe I’ll just bring those if the family asks.
Post # 7
Member
572 posts
Busy bee
I would not wear my rings there. I would get a substitute.
Post # 8
Member
542 posts
Busy bee
My rings are staying behind when I travel, I’ve heard enough stories along the way. After traveling the Caribbean by myself a number of times, I also know better than to go without anything on my finger (some attention is nice though!) I found a lovely diamondique ring at the QVC store under 30 dollars, complete with a lifetime guarantee. I don’t know that I’d keep the receipt forever, but the saleslady sure did stress they would replace the ring!
Post # 9
Member
1901 posts
Buzzing bee
I agree with PP and suggest you get a substitute ring. There are so many things that can happen, not just theft. I’m sure you will want to go swimming, etc and then you will have to either where the ring in the water or leave it in the room safe, neither of which I would be comfortable with. I have a friend who lost her ring while swimming in a lake. Her hand got cold and it just slipped off.
Post # 10
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
By the way, if you get a substitute ring, how does that ward theft off any more than the real one? They may not REALIZE it’s a substitute/fake ring and still try to steal it from first glance. Something fake still draws attention to you, whereas something simple doesn’t even render a second though.
I think your best bet is a plain band just to ward off any undesirable attention.
Post # 11
Member
350 posts
Helper bee
Oh, I meant a substitute obviously crappy ring. Not like a cubic zirconium (sp?) but just like a fake, plain band maybe not even metal.
Post # 12
Member
542 posts
Busy bee
I wouldn’t get a huge fake ring to wear, just a simple smaller stone that gets the point across. I’ve had a friend who met people on vacation who had plain necklaces and chains stolen from their room. So I suppose if someone is really desperate- they’ll take whatever they can get their hands on, including a plain band. When I travel, I only take costume jewelry that I could stand parting with….if it doesn’t come home, no big deal. Sadly enough, the only piece of jewelry that’s ever been stolen from me was here at the gym, a $5 coconut bracelet I bought in St. Martin.
Post # 13
Member
350 posts
Helper bee
I was thinking something like this— how fun would these be?!
Post # 14
Member
1675 posts
Bumble bee
I’m actually wary of leaving my ring at home and the house being broken into while we’re on holiday!
I’ve travelled extensively in the third world (DR, India, Indonesia, Cambodia etc.) and have never encountered any problems with my jewelery. Any time I felt cause to be concerned I made sure my jewellery was locked up.
Also, so long as you have your ring on a separate insurance rider (which everyone should do!!) it would be covered in the case of theft.
Post # 15
Member
14183 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Those are fun!
Yeah, i just know that some people are like, “oh i have a fake ring!” and it looks real, ya know? so it’s just as *dangerous* i guess…I think those bright ones are fun =]. You could even do silver bands…they’re pretty inconspicuous
And yeah, people in 3rd world countries will steal ANYTHING of value.
It always amazes me how many people leave their stuff unlocked at the gym, by the way! I end up going through at least 5+ full lockers every day without a lock before I find one to stash my stuff in!
Post # 16
Member
350 posts
Helper bee
Yeah, not to bad mouth the DR, a country that I love, but some of my family members have been robbed at gunpoint so I am not taking any chances. You also hear stories about stuff being stolen out of the safes at some resorts so even the safe is not safe (haha.) We won’t be staying in a resort but a few days anyway. I didn’t wear any jewelry before I was engaged, and I backpacked through Southeast Asia, Central America and parts of Europe but without any jewelry so this is a totally new experience for me. I also leave behind ipods, laptops, etc although I know many who travel with them without any problems. Not worth the stress in my opinion.
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