Hi ghadley, always a question regarding jewelry when travelling. No sense having it if one can't enjoy it and yet noone wants to "lose" special jewelry. And I have a few times, but except for an earring it was never when I travelled.
A 5 carat diamond might attract more attention then you want. Something to think about. But you can always turn the ring around if you feel uncomfortable, I have done that with rings.
Regarding safety of jewelry this is what I do. I don't take a lot. What I don't wear I have in a special place in my purse so it is always with me.
I never ever take any jewelry off and lay it on a bathroom counter, a hotel bedroom dresser, nightstand, desk etc. If and when I take any jewelry off my person it immediately goes in the zippered place in my purse. And it stays there until I put it on again. That way I never have to worry about "forgetting it". Of course if my purse was stolen from me while out and about I would lose any jewelery I was not wearing but would also lose everything else, money, credit cards, atm cards, passport etc so life would be a big problem at that point.
Regarding travelling in Italy, Italian women love to wear jewelery, especially their 18K gold jewelery and do wear it all the time (those that own it). I know people will say "well they are not tourist and it is different" but really is it. If there is a person who is going to steal jewelry off your body they will do it no matter who it is.
Anyway, I am sure lots and lots of people here will disagree with my thoughts, but just wanted to share mine with you. And I have travelled many times to Italy since the 1970's and the only piece of jewelry I ever "lost" in Italy was a small hoop gold earring that went down the shower drain.
