Can I Wear a Necklace Through Airport Security? What about other jewelry?

Many people wear jewelry at all times, even if it is only a wedding ring, earrings set, bracelets or necklaces.

Increasingly these days people also have body piercings so they also wear jewelry there too.

But do you have to remove all of your jewelry, including body piercing jewelry, before going through airport security?

The Quick Answer: Can you wear jewelry through airport security? According to the TSA, metal jewelry, particularly gold and silver, will not set off the metal detector alarms but it is not unusual for bulky jewelry to set them off, particularly if they contain metals such as steel.

How much jewelry can you take on a plane?

Firstly, there are no specific TSA jewelry rules, as such, so you can take as much jewelry as you want with you through the security checkpoint.

That is unless you are flying from the UK and have the Queen’s Crown Jewels in your carry on, in which case you may have a problem!

This passenger is asking the TSA, using their Twitter service, if they can pack jewelry in their carry on bag through airport security and also is there a limit on how much jewelry they can carry:

Can you wear jewelry through airport security?

The question is can you wear jewelry through TSA checkpoints rather than putting it in a tray or inside your carry on to go through the x-ray machine.

The best advice would be to use common sense. If you are wearing any particularly oversized metallic jewelry containing a lot of metal then to save the hassle of setting off alarms when you walk through the metal detector then you are probably best to take it off and place it in your carry on bag.

It is not advised to leave any expensive jewelry loose in a security tray when it goes through the x-ray machine.

If you are just wearing jewelry that comprises a few rings and non-bulky necklaces, bracelets and earrings then you should not set off the alarms.

What will happen if you set off the alarm?

If you wear jewelry and you do set off the alarms at airport security then it really isn’t a big deal. You will probably just have an additional pat down by a TSA officer or the TSA agent may just carry out checks using a metal detector wand.

This is a reply to a passenger who asked TSA “Can you wear jewelry through TSA checkpoints?”:

In some cases you may be asked to pass through one of the advanced imaging technology scanners, also known as millimeter-wave scanners (see Wikipedia) but that is unlikely.

You can choose not to use one of these machines as the TSA state “If you choose to not be screened through the advanced imaging technology or you alarm the walk-through metal detector, you will undergo a pat-down screening instead.”

The TSA state the following on their website tsa.gov about going through security wearing jewelry and not needing to remove jewelry in most cases:

“Jewelry – even a ring with a sparkly diamond in a tiny square box – can be carried through the checkpoint. However, TSA does not recommend wearing bulky jewelry or large belt buckles because that may trigger an alarm resulting in the need for a pat-down. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and who wants to be forever separated from their BFF!?! Go ahead…leave the bling on through screening!”

TSA rules for wearing jewelry

Can I wear a necklace through airport security?

Unless you are wearing a very chunky necklace that contains some form of iron or other magnetic material you should not experience any difficulties wearing a necklace through the TSA checkpoint.

Can you wear earrings through TSA checkpoint?

Earrings can be worn when you pass through the TSA security checkpoint. You will not need to remove them and put them in your carry on bag.

Can I wear my ring through airport security?

You will be able to leave your wedding ring on when you pass through security. That is just as well as many people would struggle to get their wedding rings off. If you had to the TSA would have to supply lubricant for those people!

What about other rings? Unless you are someone with very large rings on every finger you should not have a problem wearing a ring through the airport security checkpoint.

Can you wear gold jewelry through airport security?

Gold is one of the metals which does not normally set off metal detectors at the airport so you should be able to wear your gold jewelry without experiencing any problems, even if you are a rapper!

Can you wear body piercing jewelry through airport security?

There are no restrictions on wearing body piercing jewelry through airport security. But you should be aware that if the metal detector alarm sounds you will be subjected to a further security check which may involve a security agent using a metal detector wand, a pat down or passing through a body scanner.

The TSA website states the following:

“Certain metal body piercings may cause the machines to alarm and a pat-down may be required. If additional screening is required, you may be asked to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down.”

Do you have to remove your watch at airport security?

You do not actually need to remove a watch, even a chunky one with a metallic strap but it may make passing through security quicker if you do. So take it off and place it in your carry on bag.

The TSA state on Twitter that “Watches aren’t required to be removed for screening. However, removing items such as watches, wallets, belts, bulky jewelry, money, keys and cell phones may reduce the need for additional screening.”

Traveling internationally with jewelry

If you are traveling internationally into the US then you should declare jewelry that is worth over $10,000 at Customs. If you have purchased it while overseas then you might have to pay some duty on it. If you purchased it in the US (or have previously paid duty on it) and simply took it with you you should still declare it but show the original purchase receipt.

It is similar if flying into Europe where a 10,000 Euro declaration limit is in place.

How to travel with expensive jewelry

If you will be taking particularly expensive jewelry on a flight with you and you are worried that potential thieves may spot it when it is screened you can ask a TSA agent to be screened privately.

You should make sure you have insurance on the jewelry that covers you when traveling. You should also take photos of each piece as identification should they be stolen or lost.

Should you put jewelry in checked baggage?

The best advice is to never put expensive or fine jewelry or any other valuable items in your checked bags. Always keep them with you in your carry on bag, purse or pocket (or wear them).

If you put them in your checked luggage there is always the chance that the bag may go missing or the bag opened and the jewelry stolen. This passenger had that very thing happen to her when her bag was opened by the TSA airport security:

Can you take jewelry pliers through airport security?

If you like to make your own jewelry and plan to make some while you are away then it would not seem unreasonable that you would want to take jewelry pliers with you, as this passenger asked:

https://youtu.be/0Aa1jEN80jU

Summary

Generally, you can go through airport security with most jewelry made of gold and silver without a problem.

But you should be aware that there is a small chance that you may set off the alarm when you pass through particularly sensitive metal detectors. If that happens then you may require a further screening check by TSA officers.

FAQs

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