CrimeSep 23, 2021
5 Men Who Fenced Stolen Diamonds Get 15 Years in Prison CrimeOct 27, 2021
How Jewelers Can Travel with Jewelry Safely
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has safety tips to share following a recent string of robberies.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has safety tips for jewelers who travel with merchandise.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has issued a list of safety tips for jewelers traveling with merchandise following a recent string of robberies.
A 67-year-old jeweler in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn was robbed around 12:30 p.m. by two men who approached his car and demanded he open his trunk, said JSA.
Following a struggle between them, the men grabbed two bags from the trunk and left in a black sedan with temporary New Jersey plates.
The incident took only 30 seconds, but the thieves took an estimated $1.2 million in jewelry.
A few miles away in the Bronx, a 27-year-old man was sitting in his car around 11 p.m. when he was approached by armed suspects. One shot in his direction while another forced him out of his car.
They drove a short distance before leaving the car with $120,000 worth of the man’s jewelry.
In Naperville, Illinois, a group of jewelry salespeople were leaving a hotel around 11 p.m. after a private showing.
Three masked individuals approached the group and stole cases of merchandise following a struggle with one of the jewelers, taking off in a van with two other people inside.
Last month in Worcester, Massachusetts, a traveling jewelry salesperson from Florida traveled to New Jersey. He rented a car in Newark and drove to Worcester, where he checked into a hotel.
The next morning, robbers were in his room, zip tying him before taking his jewelry, car keys, and his phone.
In light of these events, here are some security tips from the organization.
Don’t resist.
It’s the same advice JSA has given in many of its safety briefings, but it still holds true.
Jewelers should not resist during a robbery, at the risk of injury or death.
Do not chase after the thieves either.
“These criminals will not hesitate to use deadly force,” said JSA.
Adequate jewelry insurance should be able to make up for the loss.
“One uninsured crime loss can wipe out a lifetime of work,” warned JSA.
Drive safely.
When driving to and from locations with merchandise in tow, there are a few things salespeople should keep in mind,
After leaving a sales call, don’t drive straight back to a hotel, home, or office, but rather, drive evasively.
Drive slowly, take a few turns around the block, make a U-turn, or pull into the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant or a bank.
When traveling between home and a jewelry business, don’t always take the same route.
When you get to the destination, park as close to the door as possible.
Don’t enter or exit through a rear door or via a secluded entrance.
JSA also advises against sitting in your parked car for any length of time, before or after a sales call. Jewelry merchandise should also not be left in the car unattended.
Be wary of car trouble.
Whether it’s a flat tire or another car bumping into the vehicle, any car problems could be a sign that one is a crime target, so leave the car and get to someplace safe.
When returning a rental car, don’t gas up beforehand, said JSA.
Either just return to the car or purchase the gas through the rental car company.
“It is important to limit your exposure to risk as much as possible, whether at rental car companies, restaurants, hotels, parking lots and elsewhere,” said JSA.
Gangs have placed GPS devices on salespeople’s cars, said JSA, so take a look under the vehicle now and then.
There is technology available that can detect the presence of GPS devices.
Stay aware of the surroundings.
Jewelers carrying expensive merchandise should be especially mindful of who and what is around them.
Robbers may try distraction tactics. If someone asks for change or directions, move along.
When checking in at a hotel lobby, look around to see if anyone has followed. Do the same when driving.
Take note of any cars following one’s vehicle. It could be more than one car, said JSA, as gangs can use multiple vehicles.
Jewelers should call 911 if they get the sense someone is following them.
Make the call obvious to the suspicious person(s) and say, “I am about to be the victim of a robbery.”
If a suspect sees a victim using a cell phone in this instance, they’re less likely to pursue, said JSA.
Remember that even when not carrying jewelry, being in a jewelry store holding a bag makes one a target.
Jewelers should also avoid taking jewelry merchandise to their homes.
Loose lips sink ships.
Only share travel plans with the people who need to know them.
Information about flights, departure and arrival times, hotels, rental cars, and locations to be visited should be kept confidential.
Retailers and traveling salespeople should stay in touch with one another and work together to ensure everyone’s safety.
When a salesperson drives away from the store, for example, the retailer should keep an eye out to see if anyone is following them.
For more information, visit the JSA website.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
