Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
String of Smash-and-Grab Robberies Moving East
The suspects have hit stores in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
New York--The string of smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies that started in the Midwest has been spreading east, the Jewelers Security Alliance said.
Beginning last October, there have been 20 incidents total.
The robberies started in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio but have now moved into Kentucky, Massachusetts, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
The JSA has released images of three suspects they believe to be involved in the latest robbery—three African-Americans, two males and possibly one female who held the door—in Pittsburgh on Feb. 22.
In that incident, the two male suspects smashed open a high-end watch case with hammers and took the merchandise, leaving in less than two minutes.
Almost all of the 20 smash-and-grabs that have occurred since October have taken place near closing time, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
In many of these smash-and-grabs, suspects approached stores wearing masks or visibly holding tools like hammers. The JSA advised jewelers to lock doors and install buzzers for customer entry, or to station security guards at the front door during evening hours and lock doors if a suspicious person approaches.
Other tips JSA had for jewelers include: not resisting, as the suspects could be armed with additional weapons including guns; using showcases with burglary-resistant, laminated glass that can withstand many blows, which the JSA said it has not seen result in retaliatory action from would-be robbers; spreading high-end merchandise across different cases to reduce monetary losses; and installing eye-level security cameras, which capture far better images for identifying suspects’ faces than ceiling-mounted cameras.
Those with any information regarding these crimes are asked to contact the JSA at 212-687-0328.
The Latest
In the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Co-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Along with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
DDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
Estimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
The highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
Recent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
Carrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
The competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
The high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.