ColumnistsJan 04, 2022
The Smart Lab: 4 Online Shopping Predictions for 2022CrimeJan 10, 2022
What JSA’s Latest Crime Report Tells Us About 2022
JSA President John Kennedy talks crime trends following the release of the organization’s annual report.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance recently published its annual crime report for 2020, which was delayed because of COVID-19 but still provides insight about crime trends in the jewelry industry.
President John J. Kennedy said 2020 was a year in which there were more crimes against the jewelry industry, but dollar losses shrank.
He said there were more opportunists committing low-dollar crimes but fewer smash-and-grabs and safe attacks from professional gangs, which sent dollar losses soaring in 2019.
According to the JSA report, the total number of crimes rose nearly 20 percent (1,718 crimes in 2020 versus 1,438 crimes in 2019) but dollar losses were down 18 percent, totaling $83.2 million compared with $101 million in 2019.
The ability to wear a mask without attracting attention was a contributing factor, as were the economic strains brought about by the pandemic. Kennedy said some people who wouldn’t normally steal found themselves in dire circumstances.
Another factor in the 2020 incidences-to-losses ratio: the demonstrations that broke out in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and, in some cases, involved looting.
JSA received reports of 323 break-ins related to the civil unrest, accounting for more than half of all burglaries in 2020 (633).
However, dollar losses, which totaled $14.3 million, were not as high as they could have been because jewelers were vigilant about locking away merchandise. (There was also a great deal of property damage, JSA noted, though that is not included in its dollar losses total.)
Two jewelers and one guard were killed while on the job in 2020.
Connecticut jeweler Mark Vuono was murdered during an armed robbery at his store in March 2020.
Related stories will be right here …
President John J. Kennedy said 2020 was a year in which there were more crimes against the jewelry industry, but dollar losses shrank.
He said there were more opportunists committing low-dollar crimes but fewer smash-and-grabs and safe attacks from professional gangs, which sent dollar losses soaring in 2019.
According to the JSA report, the total number of crimes rose nearly 20 percent (1,718 crimes in 2020 versus 1,438 crimes in 2019) but dollar losses were down 18 percent, totaling $83.2 million compared with $101 million in 2019.
The ability to wear a mask without attracting attention was a contributing factor, as were the economic strains brought about by the pandemic. Kennedy said some people who wouldn’t normally steal found themselves in dire circumstances.
Another factor in the 2020 incidences-to-losses ratio: the demonstrations that broke out in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and, in some cases, involved looting.
JSA received reports of 323 break-ins related to the civil unrest, accounting for more than half of all burglaries in 2020 (633).
However, dollar losses, which totaled $14.3 million, were not as high as they could have been because jewelers were vigilant about locking away merchandise. (There was also a great deal of property damage, JSA noted, though that is not included in its dollar losses total.)
Two jewelers and one guard were killed while on the job in 2020.
Connecticut jeweler Mark Vuono was murdered during an armed robbery at his store in March 2020.
Retired police captain David Dorn was shot by looters while guarding a jewelry store in St. Louis in June 2020 and Eshagh Natanzadeh was murdered in his Beverly Hills jewelry store in November 2020.
Kennedy said one of the most important takeaways from 2020, as well as 2021, is that the most likely crime to happen in a jewelry store is a grab-and-run.
In 2020, there were 581 grab-and-runs, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all thefts reported to JSA.
While there’s not a lot jewelers can do about grab-and-run thefts, there are a couple basic security rules they should remind their staff about, including showing only one piece at a time and not leaving product—a tray of rings for example—out on the counter.
He also noted people are going to continue to wear masks without it being considered odd, making it even more important to follow proper protocols and look for other red flags.
The number of smash-and-grab robberies declined in 2020 (96 vs. 130 in 2019) due to the arrests of members of a large robbery ring operating out of Detroit.
Smash-and-grabs, however, remain a threat—there was a spike this holiday season—but Kennedy said jewelers can reduce their losses tremendously by having burglary-resistant glass on their showcases.
Kennedy said he expects to see a “considerable amount of crime” in 2022, from both opportunists who will take advantage of the ubiquitous mask-wearing and professional gangs that cut power lines to rob safes.
One final trend worth noting: while dollar losses and the number of crimes fluctuate year to year, jewelry crime continues to trend down overall.
The industry, Kennedy said, is in a better place than it was 25 or even 15 years ago, when annual losses regularly topped $100 million.
Kennedy credits the decline to the work of law enforcement, JSA, and the internet, which has made information sharing quicker and easier.
“That’s all helpful and it gets criminals off the street, which reduces crime, ultimately.”
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance normally publishes its annual crime report in May, but the report has been delayed the past two years because of staffing and logistical issues posed by COVID-19.
To download the 2020 report, visit the organization’s website.
The industry, Kennedy said, is in a better place than it was 25 or even 15 years ago, when annual losses regularly topped $100 million.
Kennedy credits the decline to the work of law enforcement, JSA, and the internet, which has made information sharing quicker and easier.
“That’s all helpful and it gets criminals off the street, which reduces crime, ultimately.”
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance normally publishes its annual crime report in May, but the report has been delayed the past two years because of staffing and logistical issues posed by COVID-19.
To download the 2020 report, visit the organization’s website.
More on Crime
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
