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
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
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.
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
