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

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

September Hong Kong jewelry show
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong Show

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

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.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Bench jeweler holding a bracelet and a tool
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

NY Now
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in August

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

National Associate of Jewelry Appraisers Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go Virtual

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Guinness
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGov

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

×

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