Crime

Dollar Losses From Jewelry Crime Hit 13-Year High

CrimeJun 15, 2023

Dollar Losses From Jewelry Crime Hit 13-Year High

Losses totaled nearly $130 million while the number of crimes reached a record level, JSA’s annual report shows.

Stock image of police officers and crime scene tape
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance released its 2022 Annual Crime Report this week. According to the report, the number of crimes committed against jewelers and reported to JSA last year reached a record level.
New York—To anyone who owns a jewelry store in the United States, the numbers in the Jewelers’ Security Alliance 2022 crime report may not be surprising.

A total of 169 smash-and-grab robberies were reported to JSA in 2022, nearly double the number the organization recorded in 2021.

A total of 984 grab-and-run thefts, up from 842 the previous year, including one in Colorado that added up to a $725,000 loss.

There were also 28 safe attacks, compared with 17 in 2021.

All told, JSA recorded 2,211 crimes committed against U.S. jewelry firms in 2022, a record number for the 140-year-old organization, as noted at the JSA’s annual luncheon earlier this year, and a 31 percent increase over 2021.

Dollar losses also soared to an inflation-adjusted $129.4 million, an astounding 85 percent year-over-year increase and the highest total since 2009, when losses reached $132.6 million.

In an interview with National Jeweler Tuesday, JSA President John J. Kennedy said while there are no firm answers as to why crime rates fluctuate, for the jewelry industry, 2022 could signal a trend reversal.

“The losses have been on a general decline since the early ‘90s. Maybe we hit bottom,” he said. “It wasn’t going to go down forever; maybe it’s going to go up again.

“We may have entered a period where [losses] are on the rise and not on the fall.”

He also pointed out that while the number of overall crimes hit a high in 2022, the number of homicides and other violent crimes committed against jewelers, traveling jewelry salespeople, etc., are still well below the levels they were decades ago.

2022 Rise, Explained
Kennedy said myriad factors contributed to the increase in the number of jewelry crimes last year.

The further relaxing of restrictions on international travel in 2022 allowed criminal gangs from countries including Colombia, Chile and Romania to enter the country again, gangs whose members target trade shows, and commit burglaries and distraction thefts, he said.

In some jurisdictions, the increase in property crimes has been attributed to bail reform laws, though there is debate about how closely the two are linked

In addition, Kennedy said there is a “tremendous sense of lawlessness” in the U.S. today that stems in part from having a country in which there is a lot of anger, disagreements and violence in the air.  

“It’s part of the atmosphere, it’s part of the fabric of what’s going on, and it causes an increase in lawlessness,” he said. 

The sharp increase in dollar losses is, in part, due to the increase in the number of crimes, though it also has to do with which types of crimes are committed more frequently in a given year.

Kennedy said last year, there were more off-premises incidences (65 cases in 2022 vs. 34 in 2021), which typically result in higher losses ($19 million total vs. $13.1 million in 2021).   

There also were more robberies (260 in 2022 vs. 189 in 2021) and burglaries (484 vs. 311), both of which tend to result in bigger losses as well. (Robbery is defined as the taking of property from a person by the use of force and/or fear, while burglary involves entering a premises with intent to commit a crime.) 

Robbery dollar losses more than tripled year-over-year, $46.5 million in 2022 compared with $12.8 million in 2021, while burglary dollar losses rose to $42.7 million from $33.1 million, a 29 percent increase. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

Crime Trends of Note
Among the statistics in the 2022 crime report that stick out to Kennedy are smash-and-grab robberies and the “dramatic” increase in the number of crimes committed at jewelry trade shows.

Smash-and-grab robberies are frightening, often result in large losses, and can deter people from coming out to stores to shop, potentially resulting in a loss of business for jewelers.

The number of smash-and-grab robberies nearly doubled last year, with 169 reported to JSA compared with 85 in 2021.

The number of these robberies in which one or more of the perpetrators had a gun tripled, 33 in 2022 compared with 11 in 2021, though Kennedy noted the perpetrators do not often use their guns.

There also were more arrests of smash-and-grab robbery suspects last year, 76 vs. 46 in 2021.

The number of robberies, burglaries and thefts at trade shows, meanwhile, rose to 20 compared with just two reported to JSA in 2021.

The increase is due in part to shows being more robust than they were in 2021, when many events still were scaled down due to COVID, and it led to increased security at the Las Vegas shows this year. 

Trade shows were the most common setting for off-premises attacks against jewelers last year, accounting for 31 percent of all off-premises crimes, JSA statistics show. The average dollar loss from these incidences was $243,000.

Two members of the jewelry industry were killed on the job in 2022, compared with one in 2021 and two in 2020.

Arasb Shoughi, 60, was beaten during a robbery at his Queens, New York, store in late March 2022. He died in the hospital three weeks later.

In November, a jewelry store security guard, later publicly identified by family as 57-year-old Norman Thomas, was shot and killed while on the job in the River Oaks Mall in Calumet City, Illinois.

The Best Advice
Kennedy said trying to predict whether crime will go up or down in the future is, “like predicting the stock market. It’s very difficult to do.”

While he can’t reliably prognosticate on jewelry crime in 2023, he did note that so far this year, crimes against jewelers still are occurring regularly but not with quite as much frequency as they did in 2022.

He also cannot give a blanket crime prevention recommendation, as each type of crime has its own security protocols that need to be followed in order to prevent it or mitigate losses.

Kennedy, however, did recommend jewelers have regular staff meetings, either weekly or bi-weekly, in the morning before the store opens.

They can focus on one crime a week, discussing what to do in the event of a smash-and-grab robbery or how to prevent distraction thefts, for examples.

He also pointed to the recent online training program JSA launched in conjunction with Jewelers Mutual Group and UL Solutions.

The 16-module program, which Kennedy said takes four to five hours to complete, is free and open to anyone in the industry. It can be accessed via Jewelers Mutual’s website.

The full 2022 Annual Crime Report from JSA is available to download on the organization’s website.

The Latest

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Jewelers for Children logo
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ Challenge

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

IJO Vendor of the Year Allison-Kaufman
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the Year

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Watch
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in Manufacturer

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Pippa Small Myanmar Fish Cluster
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

LA Trading Day
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LA

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephanie Gottlieb Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut Diamond

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy