CrimeNov 08, 2021
Police Searching for Suspect in Jewelry Store Bomb Scare CrimeNov 22, 2021
CA Malls See Wave of Smash-and-Grabs Carried Out by Groups
The latest happened Nov. 15, when nine suspects smashed up the showcases at a mall jewelry store in Concord, California.
New York—Small gangs of smash-and-grab robbers have been hitting mall jewelry stores in recent months, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said, including a recent robbery involving nine suspects who targeted a store in California.
According to the Concord Police Department, on Nov. 15 around 7:30 p.m., nine people armed with hammers entered the Iceberg Diamonds store in Sun Valley Mall.
They started smashing the display cases and stealing jewelry. Employees who tried to intervene were kept back by the robbers.
Some customers inside the mall called 911, mistaking the sound of the hammers hitting the showcases and glass breaking for gunshots.
No one was injured in the robbery, but the nine individuals escaped before police arrived, Concord PD said.
In its most recent email alert, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance noted the Concord robbery is one of several smash-and-grabs carried out by groups of three to seven individuals—or, in this case, nine—at mall jewelry stores in California.
According to JSA, there were similar incidences in Milpitas, California on May 20; Hayward on May 21; Daly City on Sept. 15; and San Jose on Oct. 28 and 29.
Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the Concord Police Department, on Nov. 15 around 7:30 p.m., nine people armed with hammers entered the Iceberg Diamonds store in Sun Valley Mall.
They started smashing the display cases and stealing jewelry. Employees who tried to intervene were kept back by the robbers.
Some customers inside the mall called 911, mistaking the sound of the hammers hitting the showcases and glass breaking for gunshots.
No one was injured in the robbery, but the nine individuals escaped before police arrived, Concord PD said.
In its most recent email alert, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance noted the Concord robbery is one of several smash-and-grabs carried out by groups of three to seven individuals—or, in this case, nine—at mall jewelry stores in California.
According to JSA, there were similar incidences in Milpitas, California on May 20; Hayward on May 21; Daly City on Sept. 15; and San Jose on Oct. 28 and 29.
Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
In the same email alert that included information on the Concord robbery, JSA noted another recent smash-and-grab, this one committed by a lone male suspect at a jewelry store in Tacoma, Washington on Nov. 16.
JSA has a list of tips for staying safe and mitigating losses in the event of a grab-and-run robbery. They include the following.
— Do not resist in a smash-and-grab robbery. A hammer can be a dangerous weapon and the suspects may be armed with guns as well.
— Audible glass breakage alarms on showcases can scare away smash-and-grab robbers.
— Place cameras at eye level both inside and outside the store. Ceiling cameras are not as effective, as they generally capture useless photos of the top of heads or hats.
— Spread out high-end watches and loose diamonds among several showcases. This can help reduce loss in the event of a smash and grab.
— Use burglary-resistant laminated glass on the front and sides of showcases as well as special frames that can withstand many blows with a hammer.
JSA said it hasn’t seen robbers take retaliatory action when laminated glass is used.
The right glass and frames can prevent grab-and-run robberies entirely or will only yield enough to create a small opening. This reduces the amount of product robbers can grab and could result in them getting cut when they reach in, leaving behind DNA evidence in the form of blood.
For more security recommendations, including holiday- and event-specific safety tips, watch National Jeweler’s latest webinar featuring Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff in conversation with JSA President John J. Kennedy and Berkley Asset Protection co-founder and Executive Vice President Greg Smith.
CrimeNov 02, 2021
Graff Gets Hit by Ransomware Attack
CrimeOct 27, 2021
How Jewelers Can Travel with Jewelry SafelyMore on Crime
The Latest
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
