Lost my vca Alhambra necklace

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T

Tr2163

Member
Aug 22, 2014
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#1
I traveled to Indonesia last month and lost all the jewelries I brought with me including the Alhambra necklace in a pouch. I kept the pouch inside my cosmetic bag. We were traveling from Java to Bali and I made a mistake checking in my bag at the airport. The next day I realized that they were stolen. It was devastating !!!! I almost got a panic attack when I found out everything was gone! Luckily vca was the only expensive jewelry I put into the pouch. I brought my cartier love necklace and sweet Alhambra bracelet with me as well but I wore it to the flight that day.

I contacted both hotels and the airline. After several weeks investigation they had no result and I had to accept it. I just came back home and DH bought a new one for me. Sometimes I still can’t help thinking where my necklace was.
 
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#2
Oh my goodness I’m so sorry :( That’s devastating. I never put valuables in my checked bag because I’m scared of theft but I always thought I was being paranoid. I can’t believe it actually happened. Are you sure you didn’t leave it in the hotel safe or anywhere else? I can’t believe they stole it out of the luggage!
 
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#4
Tr2163 said:
I traveled to Indonesia last month and lost all the jewelries I brought with me including the Alhambra necklace in a pouch. I kept the pouch inside my cosmetic bag. We were traveling from Java to Bali and I made a mistake checking in my bag at the airport. The next day I realized that they were stolen. It was devastating !!!! I almost got a panic attack when I found out everything was gone! Luckily vca was the only expensive jewelry I put into the pouch. I brought my cartier love necklace and sweet Alhambra bracelet with me as well but I wore it to the flight that day.

I contacted both hotels and the airline. After several weeks investigation they had no result and I had to accept it. I just came back home and DH bought a new one for me. Sometimes I still can’t help thinking where my necklace was.
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I’m so sorry to hear this!! Unfortunately this is a very common occurrence for valuable goods inside of checked baggages, especially in Indonesia. I always keep all my valuables with me worn or locked in my carry on. Indonesia is notorious for doing the X-ray scans on all luggages that get checked in (hence why they always take so long to come out) and the staff there happens to know what expensive branded things look like. They will open your luggage and steal it with no remorse, it’s happened to many relatives and friends of mine. I even have a hard time with the customs there sometimes because they assume all my bags are new and therefore taxable. A lot of these countries look for ways to make extra cash from innocent people so we as travelers just have to be vigilant.

It’s so heartbreaking to have your sentimental things stolen, and such a violation of privacy. I never understood why people got off on stealing or doing bad things that harm others. Regardless I do believe in karma so I hope the universe will settle that score with the guilty parties when their time is due. I know a new one won’t exactly “replace” the one you lost but I hope you get to make many more beautiful memories with your new piece.

ETA: it’s not just in third world countries but even the TSA here in the US have stolen things in checked luggage before, it’s happened within my circles. It will be hard to prove they stole it so filing a complaint leads to nowhere. Always keep your valuables on your person or carry on! Never in checked luggage, it’s too risky.
 
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#6
I’m so sorry to hear this. How distressing.

At least your hubby bought you a new necklace — and it was available to purchase. I rarely travel with items that are difficult or too sentimental to replace. When I travel, I always travel with my jewelry on my person or in the safe.

I even do a jewelry count. So where ever/ whenever I moved locations, I would count off. I just got home from a two-week vacation in Japan. I brought or bought 7 pieces of jewelry with me, so I was constantly counting. I brought the Perlee Interchangeable necklace. The other interchangeable rings were in a zipper compartment in the interior of my backpack.

Best of luck with your new necklace — and safe future travels.
 
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#7
I didn’t use the safe. I remember well that I saw the pouch the morning when I checked out. The hotel insisted that they didn’t find it, they even showed me a three pages document of investigation results after a few weeks. So I guess it is very likely that someone took it at the Bali airport when the checked bags came in.
 
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#8
Sorry your stuff has gone missing. I get distressed too in these situations as I am very careful with my things. Nothing more you can do now except enjoy your replacement necklace and learn for next time you travel.
Note that for travelling it is best to not put anything in your checked bags you would be sad loosing. With jewellery I wear all pieces at all times when I travel - even when sleeping or in the pool. I know too many people who have forgetter pieces, had pieces stolen, etc. It is not worth the risk and stress for me.
 
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#11
I am sorry to hear about this, but I will voice the unpopular opinion. The travel mantra is to never take anything with you that you can't afford to loose. It is best to leave your valuables at home and instead pack inexpensive pieces - it is basic common sense. I never pack anything of value when I travel (and I am a seasoned traveler with 95 countries behind my belt) - luggage gets lost/delayed all the time, there are so many reports in the media about items being stolen from the hotels/airlines. I would be very surprised if your jewelry would be intact after your journey. Just use this experience as "lessons learned" and exercise your judgment accordingly when you travel next time. Best of luck.
 
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#13
Im very sorry to hear about your experience. Such a bad luck. Bali is a popular insta place so I understand if people want to look dress up to look their best when they are in Bali.
I don’t wear bracelet or rings that when I’m travelling because I know I’m forgetful. I Only wear Jewelry that i dont need to take off at all (necklace and earrings). And I am very casual so when Im travelling sometimes I look like a poor tourist..who carry an LV or hermes bag :D. Which I don’t mind because I am not into instagram or youtube. But I especially dont wear many jewelry when I go to Indonesia because usually I do water based activities there (beach, snorkeling, waterfalls, rivers, amazing swimming pools!, etc).
I hope the replacement jewelry can cheer you up and this experience wont stop you from coming to Indonesia again. Its a very beautiful place. All the best!
 
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#14
I know it's tempting to rock your designer pieces while on vacay BUT do try to look less "expensive" when going through the airport. They profile you as you're checking in and your check in bag is now a prime target. Anything of value I hand carry and/or wear on me.
Sorry you had to go through this...Your hubby is wonderful for getting you a replacement piece! :smile:
 
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#15
For years I had no idea that this could happen but my sister in law with electronic and non jewelry items had something stolen out of her checked in suitcase in the US. Unfortunately it has made me paranoid about checking anything and like others on the chain, I just wear pieces that will go with the majority of my outfits on vacation and do not check anything in my luggage. Your husband is a great guy.
 
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