CrimeApr 04, 2024
Police Searching for Suspects in $1M Mall HeistCrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
New York—The number of crimes perpetrated against the jewelry industry dropped significantly in 2023, though dollar losses remain at a decades-long high, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s annual crime report shows.
Released Tuesday, the report is an annual accounting of all the jewelry crimes reported to JSA in the past year, broken down by category and occurrence.
According to JSA, the number of jewelry crimes totaled 1,621 in 2023, down 27 percent from the record 2,211 incidences reported in 2022.
Despite the decline in the number of crimes, dollar losses were up 3 percent to an inflation-adjusted, 14-year high of $133.2 million, topping the $129.4 million in losses reported last year.
In an interview Tuesday, JSA President John J. Kennedy explained why dollars losses increased while the number of crimes plummeted.
He said the organization saw a massive drop in the number of grab-and-runs in 2023, which contributed to the overall decline in the number of crimes.
Grab-and-runs were down from 984 in 2022 to 663 in 2023, a 33 percent drop, more than any other category tracked by JSA.
Kennedy attributed the decline to fewer people wearing face masks now as compared with the years immediately proceeding the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you can’t wear a mask … you’re probably less likely to want to do it,” he said.
But there was also a significant increase in what JSA classifies as off-premises crimes, e.g., attacks against traveling salespeople or trunk show operators, retailers or their customers being robbed away from the store, and thefts at trade shows.
The number of these types of crimes rose 54 percent year-over-year, from 65 cases in 2022 to 100 cases in 2023, while dollar losses more than doubled, soaring to $40.4 million, compared with $19 million in 2022.
Related stories will be right here …
Released Tuesday, the report is an annual accounting of all the jewelry crimes reported to JSA in the past year, broken down by category and occurrence.
According to JSA, the number of jewelry crimes totaled 1,621 in 2023, down 27 percent from the record 2,211 incidences reported in 2022.
Despite the decline in the number of crimes, dollar losses were up 3 percent to an inflation-adjusted, 14-year high of $133.2 million, topping the $129.4 million in losses reported last year.
In an interview Tuesday, JSA President John J. Kennedy explained why dollars losses increased while the number of crimes plummeted.
He said the organization saw a massive drop in the number of grab-and-runs in 2023, which contributed to the overall decline in the number of crimes.
Grab-and-runs were down from 984 in 2022 to 663 in 2023, a 33 percent drop, more than any other category tracked by JSA.
Kennedy attributed the decline to fewer people wearing face masks now as compared with the years immediately proceeding the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you can’t wear a mask … you’re probably less likely to want to do it,” he said.
But there was also a significant increase in what JSA classifies as off-premises crimes, e.g., attacks against traveling salespeople or trunk show operators, retailers or their customers being robbed away from the store, and thefts at trade shows.
The number of these types of crimes rose 54 percent year-over-year, from 65 cases in 2022 to 100 cases in 2023, while dollar losses more than doubled, soaring to $40.4 million, compared with $19 million in 2022.
Kennedy pinpointed this increase as the main reason the industry saw dollar losses rise again in 2023.
Of these crimes, the majority, 71 percent, took place at either trade shows (41 percent) or involved a traveling salesperson (30 percent).
The number of reports of trade show losses doubled year-over-year (20 in 2022 vs. 41 in 2023) with dollar losses averaging $245,000.
“JSA has taken a more active role in working closely with trade show organizers to ensure proper security and safety concerns are addressed,” the organization noted in the report. “JSA also shares intelligence with law enforcement regarding the professional criminals who target trade shows.”
Kennedy said Tuesday that trade show organizers are making a “major effort” to tighten up security at shows from Las Vegas to Atlanta to Miami, particularly as it pertains to badges.
He also noted, as he does every year when the organization’s annual crime report is released, that while up year-over-year, the number of off-premises incidences remain well below the levels recorded in decades past.
In 1999, for example, there were 323 off-premises losses, the vast majority of which were attacks on traveling salespeople or trunk shows organizers.
In the report, JSA attributed the decline to dedicated interest by law enforcement, particularly the FBI; there being far fewer traveling jewelry salespeople on the road today; and greater education and sharing of information regarding suspects.
The jewelry industry lost only one member in 2023, Peter Damian Arguello, owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Arguello was shot to death in his store on the morning of Nov. 29. In late December, police arrested 41-year-old Charles Robinson Shay of Aurora, Colorado, in connection with Arguello’s death.
To read the report in full, visit the JSA website.
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
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.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
Weekly QuizJul 10, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 10, 2025
Penny Preville Celebrates 5 Decades of Jewelry DesignThe brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.
IndependentsJul 10, 2025
Steven Goldfarb to Retire, Close Alvin Goldfarb JewelerGoldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
LVMH Names New Chairman, CEO of the AmericasLongtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.
Events & AwardsJul 10, 2025
IAC Gold and Diamond Conference Returns to NYC Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
Hearts On Fire Appoints New Sales DirectorVickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.
SurveysJul 09, 2025
Jewelry Stays Strong as Luxury Market Slows, Bain & Co. Says Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.
Supplier BulletinJul 09, 2025
JCK Unwrapped: Trends, Insights & Post-Show TipsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
CollectionsJul 09, 2025
Cece Jewellery’s New Fruit Jewels Celebrate Life’s SweetnessThe “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So FarDiamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.
SourcingJul 09, 2025
Florida Couple Finds 3-Carat Diamond in ArkansasThey discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
SourcingJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
