CrimeJun 21, 2023
Police Investigating More Than a Dozen Smash-and-Grab Robberies in NJCrimeJun 30, 2023
Ahead of the Holiday Weekend, JSA Shares Security Advice
Jewelers need to make sure their cameras are working, and someone has to respond to any and all alerts from the alarm company, JSA said.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance gave tips on preventing burglaries over the upcoming long weekend and shared other security advice in a webinar held earlier this week called “Protecting Your Store: Essential Security Measures.” Jewelers of America and The Plumb Club hosted the webinar.
New York—The importance of responding to alarms and inspecting the roof were just a couple of the security tips Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy and Vice President Scott Guginsky shared during a webinar held Wednesday afternoon.
The webinar followed the release of JSA’s annual crime report for 2022, a record year for the number of crimes committed against jewelers, and came just ahead of what will be a long holiday weekend for many stores, which will be closed Tuesday for July 4.
On the whole, jewelry crime is evenly distributed throughout the year. There is no week or month that’s inherently more or less dangerous than any other, Kennedy said during the webinar.
There is, however, sometimes a spike in burglaries over long weekends, as criminals are aware jewelry stores will be closed—and empty—for more than just a day or two.
“Historically, we’ve had burglaries over Fourth of July weekend,” Guginsky said.
A burglary is defined as a crime in which the perpetrator enters or hides in a premises to commit a crime after closing. This includes safe attacks and three-minute burglaries, named for the amount of time they take to commit.
The number of burglaries reported to JSA increased 56 percent between 2021 and 2022, the organization’s annual report shows, while dollars losses grew 29 percent to $42.7 million.
In order to help prevent burglaries, especially over holiday weekends, Guginsky said jewelers must respond to all types of notifications from their alarm company such as power interruptions—burglars have and will cut a store’s power lines in order to disable the alarm system—and motion sensors being tripped.
If the owner is not available, then an employee needs to respond. Guginsky said stores should have an in-case-of-alert list that the alarm company can go down until they reach someone, particularly during holidays when multiple people might be on vacation.
“These holidays weekends, we see that problem,” he said.
And, he said, whoever responds to the alarm needs to go to the store with the police and inspect all the entrances as well as the roof, in the event the perpetrators are attempting to enter the store through the top.
They also should alert the police that the suspects could be near the store, watching to see if and how the owner or employees respond when the power lines are cut.
Guginsky also recommended that stores have line security and talk to their alarm company about installing a back-up battery for the alarm that will last at least 72 hours in the event power to the store is cut.
Related stories will be right here …
The webinar followed the release of JSA’s annual crime report for 2022, a record year for the number of crimes committed against jewelers, and came just ahead of what will be a long holiday weekend for many stores, which will be closed Tuesday for July 4.
On the whole, jewelry crime is evenly distributed throughout the year. There is no week or month that’s inherently more or less dangerous than any other, Kennedy said during the webinar.
There is, however, sometimes a spike in burglaries over long weekends, as criminals are aware jewelry stores will be closed—and empty—for more than just a day or two.
“Historically, we’ve had burglaries over Fourth of July weekend,” Guginsky said.
A burglary is defined as a crime in which the perpetrator enters or hides in a premises to commit a crime after closing. This includes safe attacks and three-minute burglaries, named for the amount of time they take to commit.
The number of burglaries reported to JSA increased 56 percent between 2021 and 2022, the organization’s annual report shows, while dollars losses grew 29 percent to $42.7 million.
In order to help prevent burglaries, especially over holiday weekends, Guginsky said jewelers must respond to all types of notifications from their alarm company such as power interruptions—burglars have and will cut a store’s power lines in order to disable the alarm system—and motion sensors being tripped.
If the owner is not available, then an employee needs to respond. Guginsky said stores should have an in-case-of-alert list that the alarm company can go down until they reach someone, particularly during holidays when multiple people might be on vacation.
“These holidays weekends, we see that problem,” he said.
And, he said, whoever responds to the alarm needs to go to the store with the police and inspect all the entrances as well as the roof, in the event the perpetrators are attempting to enter the store through the top.
They also should alert the police that the suspects could be near the store, watching to see if and how the owner or employees respond when the power lines are cut.
Guginsky also recommended that stores have line security and talk to their alarm company about installing a back-up battery for the alarm that will last at least 72 hours in the event power to the store is cut.
In addition to giving advice for protecting stores over the long weekend, Guginsky and Kennedy shared general security advice that’s applicable all year-round.
Tips included safe safety—they recommend having a TRTL 30x6 and not positioning it alongside and outside wall or a wall that’s shared with a neighboring business—and calling it to the landlord’s attention if the business next to a jewelry store is empty.
“You can’t just leave a vacant store next to a jewelry store,” Kennedy said. “It’s all ingredients for disaster.”
He also noted the importance of testing alarms and cameras to make sure they are recording, and of keeping surveillance video for a minimum of 30 days and storing it securely in the cloud.
The full recording of “Protecting Your Store” webinar is available in The Plumb Club’s Jeweler’s Resource Center (navigate to the “View” area) and on the organization’s website.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
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.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark 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 QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
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.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative 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.
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.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
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.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
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.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
