We all have our arguments for keeping stuff on when going through security, whether it’s to look decent on the plane, because we have a meeting or supper waiting for us at our destination, or because we simply enjoy wearing jewelry.
Let’s get this out of the way early on!
Wearing jewelry through airport security is permitted!
However, “further screening” may be required of you if you set off the metal detector. An American TSA officer will often perform a pat-down search as part of this procedure.
Now you’ll be wondering, ” Can I wear jewelry through TSA?”
First of all, unlike shoes and electronics, jewelry is not specifically banned when going through airport security. If you are traveling through, you can probably wear jewelry, but if the safety alarm goes off, you should be ready to go through a full-body metal detector check.
But not all jewelry will trigger the security system.
If you’re confused about how to get jewelry through airport security, you’ve come to the right spot. Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know!
Can I Wear Jewelry Through TSA?
Small jewelry pieces and light will usually not set off the metal detector, while jewelry items that are larger and heavier may cause an alarm and prompt a more in-depth security check.
When going through airport security, jewelry is usually not a problem. Because of the materials they use, most pieces of jewelry will not trigger metal detectors.
Rarely can precious metals like gold, platinum, and pure silver trigger an alarm, and when they do, it’s often due to a combination with another metal. Jewelry that is completely pure and of high quality should be allowed in.
You can usually keep on jewelry like necklaces, earrings, watches, and bracelets while going through a metal detector. You can keep your jewelry on without taking it off and risking losing it if you put it in a drawer or box.
Of course, there are always going to be those rare cases where the alarm goes off due to an excess of material. The metal detector may still go off if a much larger object were to pass by it.
Should you take jewelry on a trip?
The first thing you need to decide is if you need to take your jewelry with you on your trip.
Not only is jewelry vulnerable to being lost or stolen when traveling, but it could also make one a target in some countries.
Thieves may target you specifically because of the jewelry you’re wearing or because they assume, incorrectly, that you have a lot of money and aren’t careful with it.
They will keep an eye on you for as long as they can and may be waiting to pounce the moment you relax your guard.
Unless you really must, I suggest you avoid bringing pricey jewelry on your trip.
You should think about the fact that roughly 20% of people have had fine jewelry stolen or lost while traveling while deciding whether or not to bring it with them. In other words, 20% of the population.
The Best Course of Action Regarding Heavy Metal Jewelry:
If you’re traveling through an airport with a metal detector, remove any large metal jewelry and put it in your carry-on instead of the bin provided.
This is because it helps to keep the line moving, reduces the likelihood that you’ll forget your bag by the bin, and eliminates the potential that it will be stolen (yes, this can happen at the airport).
Category of Jewelry (Rings, Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, Watches)
Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and watches are all fine to keep on, and you probably won’t have to take them off. These products are acceptable for use at airport security checkpoints.
The only exception is if the piece of jewelry is extremely large and made of a substantial amount of metal. Think rationally about whether or not any of your items might trigger the metal detector. In such a case, pack them in your carry-on.
Keep in mind that metal detectors can be programmed to be overly sensitive, so even if you have passed through metal detectors carrying the same jewelry in other airports without incident, you should still remove it before entering the terminal.
Material Classification for Jewelry (Gold vs. Silver vs. Other Metals)
A security scanner’s reaction to jewelry may surprise you. This is because the underlying technology of airport metal detectors, called pulse induction (PI), detects magnetic fields from the things being scanned.
Gold and silver are less likely than other metals to set off a metal detector’s alarm because they are not very magnetic.
When a piece of jewelry triggers the metal detector, what should you expect to happen?
It’s not a big problem if the metal detector goes off because of the jewelry you’re wearing when going through airport security. In most cases, a TSA employee will be able to tell you exactly what set off the metal detector.
If not, you will be pulled away for additional screening, which may involve a pat-down by a TSA officer, who may use a portable metal-detecting wand to scan your body.
Jewelry Carry-On Restrictions by the TSA:
When it comes to precious jewelry, the TSA isn’t too severe with its regulations. The large, heavy metal ones should be packed in a carry-on to avoid setting off the security scanner. You needn’t worry about losing or breaking your typical, little jewelry like earrings and wedding rings.
But how heavy does jewelry have to be for the alarm to sound?
The sort of metal utilized in its construction is a major factor here. The magnetic detecting gate is what you’ll use to get through security. Since silver and gold aren’t particularly magnetic, they shouldn’t set off the alarm.
However, some jewelry items include more iron than precious metals and may likely trigger the alarm. Regardless matter how big these are, plastic jewelry won’t set off the alarm because it doesn’t interfere with the magnetic field.
Due to the wide variety of jewelry available, you will need to use your best judgment to determine whether or not the pieces you plan to wear may trigger an alarm at the security checkpoint.
Similarly, TSA advises you to pack your metal jewelry in a pouch outside of your main carry-on bag. By having your belongings in such an order, you’ll speed up the screening procedure and make it easier on yourself.
Carrying Expensive Jewelry Properly:
It’s worth stressing that if at all possible, you shouldn’t bring your most valuable jewelry on a trip. Throughout your journey, you and your bags will be transferred between numerous people.
Keeping track of your valuables on such a journey can be a hassle, and losing them or having them stolen can be devastating to your psyche. Expensive jewelry, in particular, is a target for thieves.
In any case, there are measures you may take to protect yourself and your jewels if you absolutely must bring them along.
Cover your jewels with insurance:
Even if you don’t have any extremely valuable jewelry on you, it’s still a good idea to carry some sort of insurance. Get insurance that will reimburse you for the loss of your belongings in the event of as many disasters as possible.
It makes stocktaking:
Document all of your valuables by photographing them. This is a requirement of some policies, but doing it for yourself could be worthwhile as well. The stress of travel might make it difficult to keep track of what you bring with you and what you’d planned to bring but forgot.
If you start to worry that one of your priceless possessions has gone missing, you can rest easy knowing that you can always just check the inventory.
Protect it:
You can ask for a locker for your box so you can store it safely in your room.
Try not to show off:
If you have valuable jewelry on, you can also ask TSA for a private scan. If you have valuable jewelry on, you can also ask TSA for a private scan.
Conclusion:
So, if you want to go through airport security, remove your jewelry and put it in your carry-on luggage before you walk through the scanners.
If you want to avoid having to go through additional screening, it’s a good idea to take off any bulky jewelry and other accessories, such as watches and belts, that can set off the metal detector.
