Jewelry on the Camino

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I noticed two threads lately surrounding jewelry: one, someone lost extremely important (sentimentally) earrings. In another, the OP wondered about wearing her engagement ring on her hand or on a gold chain. I would think twice about taking any jewelry that is very significant with you on a gold chain. I had two small gold religious medals that were extremely important to me. In addition to other reasons, they'd traveled with me through five wars. I had them on a fairly substantial gold chain, but I think it suffered from rubbing by the pack, and 18k gold is not exactly a sturdy metal. At one point I discovered they were gone. In retrospect I should have put them on a stainless steel chain, as they were when I deployed. At some point on the Camino the chain broke and I lost them; I was inconsolable for several days--and even now get teary eyed when I think about the loss. Had I a chance to do it over, I'd either wear them on my dog tag chain, or even just carry them in a bag with my passport. As for engagement rings (something I've never had to worry about), if it's really large just for safety sake from robbers I'd leave it at home and wear a plain silver wedding band type ring instead. You may want to consider leaving all rings behind (except wedding rings)--if you should injure your ring finger (jam or twist it in a fall, etc) it will swell rapidly, and if the ring is not able to be slid off quickly it can start to cut off blood flow to that finger.

 

[Tincatinker]

I wear my wedding-band. Nothing else. The Beloved is always in my heart and the ring she gave me is always on my finger.

 

[domigee]

I wear my wedding-band. Nothing else. The Beloved is always in my heart and the ring she gave me is always on my finger.

Same

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

so all you wedding band wearers: if you hurt that finger, even if it seems minor, immediately remove the wedding band and put it someplace safe. If your finger isn't too swollen the next day you can put it back on (if it slides on easily). In the meantime, that pale band of skin on that finger should keep you safe from Camino Romeos (or Juliets). If you can't remove it because it's already too swollen, elevate your hand above your heart, apply ice if available, try applying lotion, liquid soap/shampoo, oil, or other lubricant and see if you can get it off. There's a trick with winding string I used once in the field but it's complicated to explain without pictures. And we were all surprised it worked so get that ring off ASAP before the finger swells. If you can't get the ring off, get to a place where you can get medical help if your finger goes numb/turns blue, white, or for that matter any color it's not usually (ERs have a device to cut it off if they can't get it off any other way).

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Think silicone bands if your wedding ring means anything to you. They're cheap and no biggie if they break or get lost.

 

[KinkyOne]

My paternal grandmother died in January 2014. She was quite hard-core communist and ex-partisan (not in the woods but kind of undercover) during WW2. When I was about to embark for my 2014 Camino I thought to myself I want to pay some additional respect for her. I'm not religious (like Roman Catholic etc.) anyway but still believe in some sort of ..., whatever... My father was living with her for last few years and I've asked him for a piece of her "schmuck" (almost worthless jewelery money-wise) that she liked. He found it and I've taken it to Spain. Last evening before Cruz de Ferro I went into the depths of my backpack and couldn't find it. I've turned everything upside down to no avail. I knew where I've stashed it but there was nothing.

I did shed a tear or two at the Cruz but I was kind of reassured that her cheap bracelett went on her own way and that it must have been so. And to day I'm convienced about that.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Wedding ring only and simple 'sleeper' ear studs. No problem with rings chafing or having to take care of them. The only exception was after Santiago last year when Terry had bought me an eternity ring and I wore it too night and day, but on my other hand at night.
Anything else stays at home, earings etc and with mine sentimental value outweighs actual value.

 

[SYates]

Simple rule: Leave at home what you can't afford to lose. What you need to take, always wear. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Larazet]

You can buy some lovely inexpensive shell earrings on eBay!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Leave my rings at home. The only thing I wear is a necklase .
Wish you all well, Peter.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Rings on to keep the Romeos and Juliettes away? But that would defeit the purpose of the Camino for quite a few...

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

Simple rule: Leave at home what you can't afford to lose.

That's what I always tell people who are coming to Las Vegas!

 

[Diane Kinney]

Good advice about getting the ring off after an injury. On my first Camino, I fell (tripped) on the bridge coming into Santiago; the one with wooden slats. I went down hard on my left arm and hand. Nothing broken but started swelling immediately. I had on my wedding band and was reminded by a nurse walking with me to get it off right away. I did and it spent the rest of my trip (went to Italy after) pinned securely inside my bag.
I agree if you are afraid to lose it, leave it at home.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Rings on to keep the Romeos and Juliettes away? But that would defeit the purpose of the Camino for quite a few...

Yes, but I imagine not those true-hearted souls above who wear their wedding bands on the Camino