Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
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.
The Latest
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
