Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
CrimeOct 20, 2020
Why the Trade Has Been Getting Back Invoices from Brinks
National Jeweler speaks with a Brinks executive about a situation that has been causing major frustration for members of the jewelry industry.
New York—Over the past several months, many members of the fine jewelry industry have been receiving back invoices out of the blue from Brinks.
Some claim these invoices, which date as far back as 2015, were for charges that had already been paid, while others said they couldn’t get a clear explanation of what they were being charged for.
Either way, these invoices have been causing frustration and kicking up chatter, so National Jeweler went to Brinks to ask for an explanation.
In a recent phone interview, Jim Horgdal, president of Brink’s Global Services USA, explained the issue, which started with a former employee who was indicted for embezzlement, has been convicted and is now cooperating with Brinks Global Services on the issue.
The embezzlement scandal created several issues for the company, including the misrepresentation of its ledger.
This resulted in some cases in which customers who owed money ended up with a zero balance and vice versa, Horgdal said. Brinks has spent millions fixing the problem.
Additionally, a year ago, Brinks switched to a new ledger system.
Once reconciliation of the books was completed, the company loaded them into the new ledger and started communicating with customers about what the new records showed, sending out statements beginning in March.
“The conversations we’re having with our customers are, ‘Here is the ledger. We’ve gone through and spent the time and money to make sure all your payments were properly applied. This is the best information we have. If you have different information, additional information, please reach out to us and we will work with you to reconcile this.’”
In the industry, the Brinks back invoice issue has created quite a few headaches.
One colored stone wholesaler, who reached out to National Jeweler and asked not to be named, said when his company asked for copies of the invoices from Brinks that the latter claimed are unpaid from 2017, all they provided was a statement of the account.
Meanwhile, a jewelry appraiser who came forward said the issue he’s having concerns an invoice for a 2016 transaction in which Brinks didn’t make an overnight delivery on time.
The Brinks accounting department admitted to the error via email correspondence back when the transaction occurred, the appraiser said, but he no longer has access to the email account in which it is stored.
The issue went “fairly dormant” after that, he said, until recently when his company began receiving notices from a collection company that it owed money to Brinks.
When the appraiser asked the collection company for a copy of the original invoice, the company couldn’t provide it, he said.
What happened to the appraiser seems to be a common story among those affected by the Brinks back invoice issue—they’re not able to get a straight answer, or even talk to someone at Brinks for an explanation.
Horgdal said Brinks doesn’t have enough customer service employees to handle the volume of calls it’s been receiving, so it changed the system to route pertinent outreach from clients from customer service to credit collection to talk to the department directly to address the issue, Brinks said.
He added the collection agency has been advised to refer any requests for invoice copies to Brinks to address.
Horgdal also said they’ve also been trying to communicate as much as possible with the industry at large, working with various trade organizations—including a conference call in August with several industry leaders—as well as reaching out directly to clients whose email addresses they have to communicate ways to reach Brinks.
“We’ve sent out thousands of statements to thousands of customers. There is not one instance where we believe a customer doesn’t owe us money,” Horgdal said. “If they can show us otherwise, we’ll gladly correct the records.”
But it’s not easy for everyone who might not have retained documents to prove every payment for shipments a few years back.
One gemstone dealer and jewelry manufacturer in New York, who received invoices dated as far back as 2015, said his company keeps shipment records for two to three years but no longer, adding he believes this is normal in the industry.
It’s also a question of how much time business owners have to spend on an issue like this.
“For me to sit there and spend a week, maybe more, to pull up things from five years ago, analyze movement by movement, country to country, shipment by shipment, and then come up with things we’ve paid, it is absolutely not something I’m willing to accept,” that same dealer said.
To the former concern, Horgdal said Brinks has been able to “amicably settle” with many customers who are unable to provide evidence of past payment and reach an understanding where they provide other relevant information that might help the company validate past payments, including reports from their accounting system or email communications, among others.
There’s also has been chatter about Brinks holding packages until back invoices are paid.
To that, Horgdal said: “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Brinks has stressed to the industry that it won’t hold packages for any customer who is working with the company to resolve accounts receivable.
The bottom line, Horgdal said, is for industry members to at least be communicating with Brinks rather than ignoring the invoices.
For those with overdue balances, Brinks asks they contact their assigned collector to discuss the account and options.
To request copies of statements and/or invoices, customers can email Brinks at bgsus.docrequest@brinksinc.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
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.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
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.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 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.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
