Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
CrimeAug 07, 2019
For the First Time, JSA Issues Bulletin on Active Shooters
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance shared recommendations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following the mass shootings over the weekend that left 31 dead.
New York—For the first time in its 136-year history, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance has issued a bulletin providing recommendations for jewelers on what to do if their store or shopping plaza becomes the scene of a mass shooting.
JSA President John J. Kennedy told National Jeweler Tuesday that every time there has been a mass shooting in the United States in recent years, JSA has gotten a small number of inquires from members, calling up to ask: What do I do if this happens at my place of business?
That happened again this past Monday, after gunmen opened fire over the weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, leaving a total of 31 dead and dozens wounded.
“This pair of incidents included the site of a retailer, so we viewed it as especially relevant,” Kennedy said.
The mass shooting in Dayton took place on a street in the city’s popular nightlife area, the Oregon District, in the early-morning hours of Sunday, but the El Paso shooting happened in the middle of the day at a Walmart store crowded with shoppers.
JSA said the recommendations it is sharing were reprinted verbatim from a reference guide issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It said jewelry industry employers should share the DHS’s recommendations with employees so everyone knows how to respond.
When there is an active shooter, the DHS says, there are three options: run, hide or fight, which is the least recommended and only to be resorted to “when your life is in imminent danger.”
Those who chose to run should:
Have an escape route and plan in mind;
Leave their belongings behind;
Go, regardless of whether others agree to follow;
Help others escape, if possible;
Prevent others from entering the area where the active shooter is or may be;
Avoid attempting to move anyone who’s wounded;
Keep their hands visible; and
Call 911 when they are safe.
If individuals chose to hide, they should:
Pick an area out of the shooter’s view;
Lock the door or block the entry to their hiding place;
Silence their cell phones (including turning off vibrate mode); and
Remain quiet.
Fighting is a “last resort,” DHS said, and those who chose to do so should:
Attempt to incapacitate the shooter;
Act with as much physical aggression as possible;
Improvise weapons or throw items at the active shooter; and
Commit to their actions, understanding their lives depend on it.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Those who are able to call 911 during a mass shooting should tell operators the location of the active shooter as well as the number of shooters and a physical description of them, the number and type of weapons they have, and provide a count of potential victims.
The DHS said the first officers to arrive on the scene will not stop to help anybody who is injured; that will be handled by rescue teams who follow the initial officers.
When law enforcement arrives, survivors are advised to:
Remain calm, follow instructions and do not ask questions when being evacuated;
Drop anything in their hands, raise their hands and spread their fingers;
Keep hands visible at all times; and
Avoid quick movements toward officers as well as pointing, yelling or screaming.
It added that those who survive a mass shooting will likely be held in an area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses identified and questioned. They should not leave until they are told they can.
For more information, it is recommended employers contact their local law enforcement authorities or FBI field office.
The DHS said the first officers to arrive on the scene will not stop to help anybody who is injured; that will be handled by rescue teams who follow the initial officers.
When law enforcement arrives, survivors are advised to:
Remain calm, follow instructions and do not ask questions when being evacuated;
Drop anything in their hands, raise their hands and spread their fingers;
Keep hands visible at all times; and
Avoid quick movements toward officers as well as pointing, yelling or screaming.
It added that those who survive a mass shooting will likely be held in an area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses identified and questioned. They should not leave until they are told they can.
For more information, it is recommended employers contact their local law enforcement authorities or FBI field office.
More on Crime
The Latest
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
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.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
