CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
CrimeAug 02, 2017
5 Things to Know about Jewelry Crime So Far This Year
National Jeweler shares five key points from the Jewelers Security Alliance’s mid-year report on crime.
New York--The number of crimes perpetrated against the jewelry industry are up slightly in the first six months of the year while dollar losses are down 12 percent, statistics from the Jewelers Security Alliance show.
Between Jan. 1 and June 30, there were 551 crimes reported to the JSA, compared with 528 in the same period last year, a 4 percent increase.
Dollar losses have totaled $27 million, down from $30.8 million a year ago.
The JSA’s mid-year report breaks down jewelry industry crimes into four categories:
--Robbery, the taking of property from a person by use of force or fear;
--Burglary, entering or being on premises after closing with intent to commit a crime;
--Theft, crimes like grab-and-runs, distraction thefts, diamond switches and sneak thefts that don’t involve force or fear; and
--Off-Premises Crime, attacks on traveling salespeople and jewelers when they are away from their stores.
It also gives totals for arrests (126 in the first half of 2017 versus 132 last year) and homicides.
Below, National Jeweler shares five key points from the report, with commentary from JSA President John J. Kennedy.
1. There were five homicides, and all of them happened between Jan. 5 and Feb. 26.
This is up from one jeweler and three robbers killed in the same period last year.
Those five deaths include the murders of three jewelers, one customer and one good Samaritan.
A 65-year-old customer was shot to death inside a Miami jewelry store in January. That same month, a jewelry store employee and a man who tried to stop a jewelry store robber who was running through the mall were killed in separate weekend robberies.
In February, 42-year-old Noah Ashene was stabbed to death during a robbery at the Memphis, Tennessee jewelry store where he worked, and Omid Gholian, 43, was found dead inside his New York City shop.
2. The number of off-premises crimes is at a six-year low, at least.
There have been 15 off-premises crimes so far in 2017.
That is down from 18 in the same period last year, and less than half of what the industry saw even just five years ago; in the first six months of 2012, off-premises crimes numbered 37.
Dollars losses from off-premises crimes remained relatively unchanged at $5.8 million.
“For the industry as a whole, it is very telling that off-premises crimes were really at an all-time low,” Kennedy said. It speaks to how the industry distribution system has changed,
and there are far fewer salespeople out on the road today.
He said even if the number of off-premises crimes double in the last half of the year, reaching 30, that is still well below the totals seen 15 or 20 years ago, when off-premises crimes numbered about 350 per year.
“The off-premises losses, 15 and 20 years ago, dollar-wise, were more than all of the other crimes against the industry combined.”
3. Robberies also are at a six-year low.
A total of 77 robberies were reported to the JSA in the first six months of 2017, compared with 91 last year, 132 in 2015, 131 in 2014, 142 in 2013 and 159 in 2012.
Kennedy said the number of smash-and-grab robberies involving high-end watches is down drastically from previous years.
Losses from robberies have totaled $8.4 million so far in 2017, down from $16.3 million in the same period last year.
4. The number of burglaries were down too, but dollars losses were up 56 percent.
There were 103 burglaries totaling $8.9 million in losses reported to the JSA in the first half of the year, compared with 107 burglaries and losses of $5.7 million last year.
Kennedy said this is due to a small number of very high-dollar burglaries in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.
5. Thefts are the highest they’ve been since 2014.
There were 356 cases of theft reported to the JSA in the first half of 2017, up from 310 in the same period last year and 294 in 2015.
Kennedy said part of it has to do with the bands of Roma, also known as gypsies, perpetrating distraction and sneak thefts at stores across the country, which the JSA has been issuing warnings about since last fall.
Also contributing to the increase in the number of thefts is more reporting of incidences of credit card fraud, which is classified as a theft.
He said even if the number of off-premises crimes double in the last half of the year, reaching 30, that is still well below the totals seen 15 or 20 years ago, when off-premises crimes numbered about 350 per year.
“The off-premises losses, 15 and 20 years ago, dollar-wise, were more than all of the other crimes against the industry combined.”
3. Robberies also are at a six-year low.
A total of 77 robberies were reported to the JSA in the first six months of 2017, compared with 91 last year, 132 in 2015, 131 in 2014, 142 in 2013 and 159 in 2012.
Kennedy said the number of smash-and-grab robberies involving high-end watches is down drastically from previous years.
Losses from robberies have totaled $8.4 million so far in 2017, down from $16.3 million in the same period last year.
4. The number of burglaries were down too, but dollars losses were up 56 percent.
There were 103 burglaries totaling $8.9 million in losses reported to the JSA in the first half of the year, compared with 107 burglaries and losses of $5.7 million last year.
Kennedy said this is due to a small number of very high-dollar burglaries in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.
5. Thefts are the highest they’ve been since 2014.
There were 356 cases of theft reported to the JSA in the first half of 2017, up from 310 in the same period last year and 294 in 2015.
Kennedy said part of it has to do with the bands of Roma, also known as gypsies, perpetrating distraction and sneak thefts at stores across the country, which the JSA has been issuing warnings about since last fall.
Also contributing to the increase in the number of thefts is more reporting of incidences of credit card fraud, which is classified as a theft.
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
