I think it is a great idea to have an "alternative" engagement ring but not only for travel, an alternative could be worn to places like an amusement park, concerts, etc 
Opinions on faux engagement rings for certain travel
- Thread starter Chi town Chanel
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
My husband and I are moving overseas for a year and I've been advised to leave diamonds at home. Not really because I'm afraid of losing my rings or having them stolen...but because they might cause people to wonder what other valuables we've got! I'll be wearing my coordinates collection ring as my wedding band for a year
I think getting a decoy is a great idea. I travel a lot and I am very careful about my jewellery but things still happen - things get stolen from hotel rooms, easily lost because the surroundings are strange and of course, stolen. As much as we think we blend in, many times a criminal can tell if we are not local. I leave flashy stuff at home, even if it's semi-precious and less expensive. I choose platinum or white gold as anybody doing a quick assessment will quicker think it's silver. Be careful with obvious brands - if you are carrying a Chanel purse then of course they won't think you're wearing silver. It's easier to snatch something off your wrist first. Then your neck. Rings are trickier as they have to grab your hand. Trust me, you do NOT want to experience a robbery in a foreign country. Get something beautiful but understated. Diamonds should be fine as they are often not worth the trouble of the robbery as the price they fetch tends to be low. Again, depends on the country. Remember though, in many countries, diamonds larger than a carat is rare! This may work for or against you.
I have my set I wear when I'm at home and a way cheaper set for when I travel. More or less for if I misplace it! But my 'travel' set is more conservative that my 5ct engagement ring. More like a 1ctw ring and a .75ctw band. I think its the smart thing to do. I do the same with purses etc...
I was at Macys buying a pair of gold hoops and they had all kind of faux jewelry that was set in real gold. I didn't view any up close, but they looked really pretty beneath the glass! My set isn't huge by any means but I wear mine even when traveling. I don't really worry about those things, maybe I should...
Over my day-to-day I wear fairly formal clothes and classic jewellery pieces. When on holidays I prefer to have fun with less expensive pieces, big statement rings, semi-precious stones, fresh water pearls, big necklaces and lots and lots of bracelets, etc... If my engagement set is too much for the location/occasion I use just a simple wedding band and play with other 'fun' pieces. If you enjoy planning what you going to wear, I am sure you will have fun wearing different accessories
I'm only engaged so no wedding band yet... but I have a 'work' ring that I use because although I do love the bling of my solitaire, it just isn't practical to wear in the hospital setting. Granted I WILL wear it when I'm doing a less hands on job. But for those days when I'm anticipating taking gloves on and off 50x a day or if I'm working in a hospital in a lower socioeconomic area (as I am right now for the next 10 weeks)... I've found I'm just not comfortable with my flashy e-ring. It attracts too much attention and I'm not sure that's a good thing when there are families living off welfare and struggling with sick children all around me.
I know this is a little different to what you're asking but I thought it may be vaguely relevant..!
For reference, my e-ring is 1.5ct on my size 4 finger so it looks fairly hefty on me... and my 'work' ring is a vintage 5 stone band totaling 0.5ct
Just looks like a pretty sparkly little band!
I know this is a little different to what you're asking but I thought it may be vaguely relevant..!
For reference, my e-ring is 1.5ct on my size 4 finger so it looks fairly hefty on me... and my 'work' ring is a vintage 5 stone band totaling 0.5ct
Just looks like a pretty sparkly little band!
When I travel I pack a strand of faux pearls and the cz studs I got to test out what carat weight I wanted to get in the real thing. I don't go places I feel unsafe, but rather than worry about losing a stone (which can happen anywhere I know, but it would darken the vacation memories) or housekeeping knocking it behind a dresser (or worse) if I must have jewelry I have more peace of mind taking inexpensive pieces that look realistic. I also never take sentimental pieces even if they only cost $15 (thinking of the faux pearls my grandparents gave me years ago).
However, I travel alone, so I am also more cautious about attracting attention so I go minimal even with the fakes.
However, I travel alone, so I am also more cautious about attracting attention so I go minimal even with the fakes.
Wherever I go on vacation I consider the circumstances and try to plan accordingly. For example I wouldn't wear my e ring in the ocean or anything. There's a time and a place KWIM?
I was hoping to find something that is a fun alternative to my regular set. Sometimes I like to dress up on vacation and I get enjoyment from that. I was looking for suggestions, and I didn't want people to start making suggestions over $1k. There are lots of fantasy CZ sets that are over that price.
That being said, it doesn't need to be an e ring set. It could be a really interesting band or an inexpensive gemstone. Just something fun and not too expensive.
I wouldn't spend $1K on a faux ring personally. Check out Diamonique jewelry on QVC. You can get faux diamonds in silver or real gold for way less. Some are quite lovely & "real" looking and you won't feel bad about losing them accidentally. And they've got a lifetime warranty, something my jeweler didn't give me on my real diamond.
I have some Diamonique pieces I wear when traveling. They're fun and they look great. Although I haven't bought any new pieces in at least ten years, so not sure of the quality these days.
Do they still offer the lifetime warranty? Years ago I had a Diamonique ring in which the main stone clouded up. I called QVC. They said they would first have to do a search of their microfilm order archive for my original ordering info, and if they replaced it they would replace it with a ring currently in stock. Since the ring had a lot of gold, and there wasn't anything currently in stock that was similar, I said no. I figured out that I could have replaced the stone with a stock stone from WinkCZ for less money and hassle.
I have had jewelry stolen from my purse and hotel room while traveling, so I've learned my lesson. When you're traveling you're in a new place and out of your usual routine so it's easy to leave things behind on counters and tables. I never travel with anything that would bum me out if it were lost. I say, OP, that if you want to buy fun, fake jewelry for travel, go for it. But I wouldn't spend more than $100 on a CZ piece, if that. And I wouldn't buy anything incredibly flashy because you don't want potential thieves assuming it's real.
If you like color, Judith Ripka has some fun pieces in silver. Tiffany also has the Sparklers Collection in gold or silver and Paloma Picasso's Olive Leaf Collection in yellow gold. Hope this helps.