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
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
