Events & AwardsMar 22, 2022
Gem Awards Celebrate 20 Years With One Big Happy PartyCrimeMar 28, 2022
Susan Jacques, Miami Detective Honored at JSA Luncheon
The annual event took place March 19 at the New York Yacht Club after being postponed from January due to COVID-19.
GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques (pictured) received JSA’s Industry Service Award while the James B. White Award went to Detective Robert Lanier of the Miami Beach Police Department. Both received their awards at JSA’s annual luncheon on March 19.
New York—For the first time since 2020, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance held its annual luncheon in person, honoring members of the jewelry industry and law enforcement who contribute to crime prevention.
The organization’s 23rd annual James B. White Award to Law Enforcement—an award named for the former longtime JSA president who died in 2002—went to Detective Robert Lanier of the Miami Beach Police Department.
JSA described Lanier as “an important resource for police throughout the U.S. concerning violent jewelry crime in South Florida.”
In his 32 years with the department, the detective has investigated numerous violent jewelry store robberies and attacks on traveling jewelry salespersons. He’s also led or participated in numerous Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, cases that resulted in arrests.
Lanier has worked on assignment in the FBI’s Miami field office and participated in undercover work related to the JIS shows in Miami Beach.
JSA’s 17th annual Industry Service Award went to Susan Jacques, president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America.
Jacques received the award for her support of a program that, Kennedy noted, does not receive a lot of publicity in the industry but is important to law enforcement.
GIA provides in-depth training on gemology and the jewelry industry to FBI and local law enforcement officers, a free service it’s been providing for years.
At the luncheon, Kennedy and two FBI veterans said these classes have trained hundreds of law enforcement personnel over the years, increasing their ability, and their understanding and interest in jewelry crime.
Related stories will be right here …
The organization’s 23rd annual James B. White Award to Law Enforcement—an award named for the former longtime JSA president who died in 2002—went to Detective Robert Lanier of the Miami Beach Police Department.
JSA described Lanier as “an important resource for police throughout the U.S. concerning violent jewelry crime in South Florida.”
In his 32 years with the department, the detective has investigated numerous violent jewelry store robberies and attacks on traveling jewelry salespersons. He’s also led or participated in numerous Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, cases that resulted in arrests.
Lanier has worked on assignment in the FBI’s Miami field office and participated in undercover work related to the JIS shows in Miami Beach.
JSA’s 17th annual Industry Service Award went to Susan Jacques, president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America.
Jacques received the award for her support of a program that, Kennedy noted, does not receive a lot of publicity in the industry but is important to law enforcement.
GIA provides in-depth training on gemology and the jewelry industry to FBI and local law enforcement officers, a free service it’s been providing for years.
At the luncheon, Kennedy and two FBI veterans said these classes have trained hundreds of law enforcement personnel over the years, increasing their ability, and their understanding and interest in jewelry crime.
JSA’s annual luncheon took place March 19 at the New York Yacht Club, the same day as the 24 Karat Club of New York City’s banquet and the day after the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s annual luncheon and the 20th annual Gem Awards.
More than 130 people attended.
All four events originally had been scheduled for January but were postponed due to concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Prior to the luncheon, JSA re-elected Steven Kaiser, now president and CEO of Kennedy North America, a branch of the Australian specialty jeweler, to a three-year term as chair.
Other JSA officers elected for three-year terms were: Alan Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers, vice chair; Mark Udell of London Jewelers, secretary; and David Tearle, GIA chief financial officer, treasurer.
More on Crime
The Latest
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
