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
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
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.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
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.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
