ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CrimeJan 03, 2017
Female Armed Robber Cops to More Crimes
Abigail Lee Kemp has pleaded guilty to robbing jewelry stores in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Security camera footage shows Abigail Lee Kemp committing robberies at two different jewelry stores. The 25-year-old Atlanta-area native has pleaded guilty to jewelry store robberies in three more states.
Panama City, Fla.--The lone female armed robber who victimized employees at multiple jewelry stores in 2015 and early 2016 has pleaded guilty to more charges.
Court papers show that in Florida federal court on Dec. 28, Abagail Lee Kemp entered a guilty plea to interference with commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery) for jewelry store robberies in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; and Mebane, North Carolina.
She also consented to have jurisdiction for those cases transferred to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
She faces up to 20 years behind bars for each count, a $250,000 fine for each and could be ordered to pay restitution for the stolen jewelry that was not recovered.
Kemp is being prosecuted in federal court and will be sentenced to serve her time in the federal prison system, which does not grant parole.
In July, the 25-year-old Kemp pleaded guilty in the same Florida federal court to conspiracy, robbery and weapons charges related to the August 2015 robbery of a jewelry store in Panama City, Fla.
Later that same month, the 25-year-old testified at trial against the three men who are said to have acted as lookouts and otherwise assisted her in the robberies.
Court papers show that in Florida federal court on Dec. 28, Abagail Lee Kemp entered a guilty plea to interference with commerce by robbery (also known as a Hobbs Act robbery) for jewelry store robberies in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Georgia; Bluffton, South Carolina; and Mebane, North Carolina.
She also consented to have jurisdiction for those cases transferred to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
She faces up to 20 years behind bars for each count, a $250,000 fine for each and could be ordered to pay restitution for the stolen jewelry that was not recovered.
Kemp is being prosecuted in federal court and will be sentenced to serve her time in the federal prison system, which does not grant parole.
In July, the 25-year-old Kemp pleaded guilty in the same Florida federal court to conspiracy, robbery and weapons charges related to the August 2015 robbery of a jewelry store in Panama City, Fla.
Later that same month, the 25-year-old testified at trial against the three men who are said to have acted as lookouts and otherwise assisted her in the robberies.
A jury found those men--36-year-old Lewis Jones III, with whom Kemp allegedly had a relationship, and brothers Larry Bernard Gilmore, 44, and Michael Bernard Gilmore, 47--guilty of conspiracy to commit robberies along with weapons charges.
The three reportedly trained Kemp, who grew up in the Atlanta suburbs, for the robberies at the Atlanta window tinting business that the Gilmore brothers owned, giving her pointers on handling a gun, tying people up and the best jewelry to steal.
Kemp has pleaded guilty to a total of five counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two charges of use of a firearm during a crime and one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Her sentencing is set for Jan. 13, court papers show.
The tale of the lone female armed robber first began circulating in September 2015, grabbing headlines in both the trade and consumer press because of the unusual nature of the crime.
It is not often, Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy said at the time, to see a lone individual go into a jewelry store and commit an armed robbery, and never before had he seen a woman do it by herself.
Kemp and her accomplices initially were linked to a total of six armed robberies, the last of which took place in January 2016 at a jewelry store in Mebane, North Carolina.
She was arrested a short time later at her apartment in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
