Keep your rings on you, or in a small closed case that travels with you, when you move house. Do not pack them in a general moving box. A ring that disappears into a carton of books or kitchen things can take a long time to find, and sometimes is not found at all.
A house move is a day of open doors, many hands, and boxes that look the same. The safest habit is to treat the rings as you would a passport or a set of keys: something that stays in your own bag, or on your hand, until you are in the new place and have a proper spot for them.
Carry them, do not pack them with the rest
A labelled jewellery box in a van can draw the wrong kind of attention, and it can also be stacked in the wrong room. A small case inside a bag you wear or keep at your side is easier to watch. If more than one person is helping, agree who is carrying the case, so it does not end up in a coat pocket that leaves the house. Our guide to storing rings at home is useful once you arrive, and our notes on travel storage are useful for the journey itself, even if you are not going far.
Wearing them on moving day
If the rings fit well, and you will mostly be directing, driving or carrying light things, wearing them can be the simplest way to know where they are. If you will be lifting, scrubbing, or working with water, take them off and put them in the case. A ring that feels a little loose is easier to lose when your hands are tired or cold. If a ring becomes tight during a long day, do not force it, as we note in our guide to why a ring can feel tighter in warm weather or after a flight.
Papers, the original box, and the first night
Keep the certificate with your important papers, in the same bag if you can. The original ring box can travel with the ring. Do not send either to a loft, a garage, or a friend's spare room unless you have written down exactly where they are. On the first night, give the rings a definite place, even if the rest of the house is still in boxes. A closed box in a drawer you will open in the morning is enough.
If something goes missing, or you need a replacement
If a ring cannot be found, a photograph, the certificate, and your insurance documents are the practical starting point. We also have a guide to remaking a lost ring from the original design file if the piece was commissioned with us. If you would like help, message us. We work by video consultation and message, with no showroom. If you are also thinking about a new piece for the new house, you can look at stones in our diamond collection.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do with your rings when you move house?
Keep them on you, or in a small closed case that travels with you, rather than packing them in a general moving box. Treat rings as something you carry, not as something you tape up with the books.
Is it safe to pack rings in a labelled jewellery box in the van?
A labelled box in a van can draw attention, and it can also go missing in a pile of identical cartons. A small case in a bag you keep with you is much easier to look after.
Should you wear the rings for the whole of moving day?
You can, if they fit well and you will not be doing work that might knock or lose them. If you are lifting, cleaning or working with water, a closed case in your own bag is often calmer than wearing them through the day.
What about the certificate and the original box?
Keep the certificate with your important papers, and keep the original box with the ring if you can. Do not put either in a box that will be stored in a loft or a garage for months without a note of where it is.