CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
CrimeDec 09, 2020
In the Wake of the Cyberattack on Stuller, 5 Tips on Cybersecurity
From password security to tracking-number safety, here are five cybersecurity tips to keep in mind.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance shared tips on how to safely connect with customers online.
New York—Stuller was hit by a cyberattack over Thanksgiving weekend that delayed shipments, shut down the phone lines, and created other operational issues amid the holiday rush.
It took a few days for the massive manufacturer and supplier to get same-day shipping services on in-stock items and the phone lines back up and running.
While Stuller said there was no indication that sensitive business information was compromised—noting that customer credit cards on file are tokenized, encrypted, and not housed at Stuller—the stressful disruption came at the most critical time of the year for the supplier, underscoring the need for businesses today to invest in cybersecurity.
Stuller did not provide additional details on the specifics of the cyberattack.
In a COVID-19 world, and even before then, the ability to connect with customers online is crucial, whether one is running a consumer-facing retail store or a business-to-business operation.
Here are five expert tips on how to navigate the online world safely.
Ensure employees are adequately protected as they work from home.
Law enforcement officials have seen an uptick in fraud and hacking now that more people are working from home on computers or smartphones less secure than those in their office, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said in a recent memo.
Be sure all employees’ devices have updated protections in place, including firewall, malware, and spam protection.
Stop using the same password for everything.
JSA advises having “strong, unique” passwords.
When the password for everything is the same, it may be easy to remember, but it’s also easy for hackers to gain access to several accounts in one swoop.
Users may also want to set up two-factor or multi-factor authentication.
“If a cybercriminal were to gain access to your log-in credentials, they wouldn’t be able to compromise your account if they didn’t have access to a passcode that would be sent to your phone,” explained Ryan Ruddock, senior research assistant at JSA, during an October webinar on online scams.
If you’re unsure about an email, just don’t open it.
Be wary of email phishing scams, which are attempts to trick users into giving criminals access to personal information.
“The intention behind phishing is to acquire personally identifiable information. So that’s going to include credit card information, social security numbers, account log-in credentials, and, in some cases, intellectual property,” said Ruddock.
It’s the most common type of cybercrime, said Ruddock, noting that it doesn’t target specific individuals.
Criminals will send a mass email in the
hopes that some percentage will respond.
Misspellings and poor grammar are red flags to look for in phishing emails, he said, but also be wary of any email sent with a sense of urgency, pressuring users to act now, think later.
If an email doesn’t look trustworthy, don’t open it or click on any links. Delete it.
If a link in what is believed to be a phishing email is clicked, Ruddock recommended disconnecting from the WiFi, which could prevent malware from being installed on your computer, running an anti-virus scan, and changing passwords.
Also, be on the lookout for email spoofing, which involves an email sent from an address that’s almost, but not quite, identical to a genuine email address for a contact.
An email might look like it’s coming from longtime vendor, such as JohnSmith@jewelry.com, but upon closer inspection, it may actually read JohnSmith@jewellry.com.
If anything about the email seems off, it’s best to contact the vendor or customer by phone and be sure the request is genuine, JSA said.
Be careful with tracking numbers.
For any questions about a transaction, it’s best to reach out to the customer by phone via the number given at the time of purchase.
“You do not want to use the number given to you by the caller,” advised Ruddock.
JSA does not advise giving out the tracking number on a shipment. If a tracking number of a package is given to someone other than the customer, it may be possible for that person to redirect the merchandise.
JSA has also seen cases where a caller, pretending to be from a retail store, contacts a supplier and requests that a high-end item be sent to the store. The caller later diverts the shipment to a different address.
Set a limit on the number of times an address can be changed on a shipment, said Ruddock, and be clear with the shipper about how change of address requests should be handled.
Some companies, he said, have specified to their shipping company that if there are any attempts to change the address, the package should instead be returned to the company.
Make sure employees know the company’s cybersecurity policy.
Every company should have a written cybersecurity policy that is read and signed by employees, said JSA.
Be sure to regularly review the cyber-protocols with employees so everyone is on the same page.
Select cyber security firms also offer tests that allow employers to determine their employees’ ability to avoid phishing attacks and other scams.
Provide additional training to those employees who need it, advised Ruddock.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit the JSA website.
Misspellings and poor grammar are red flags to look for in phishing emails, he said, but also be wary of any email sent with a sense of urgency, pressuring users to act now, think later.
If an email doesn’t look trustworthy, don’t open it or click on any links. Delete it.
If a link in what is believed to be a phishing email is clicked, Ruddock recommended disconnecting from the WiFi, which could prevent malware from being installed on your computer, running an anti-virus scan, and changing passwords.
Also, be on the lookout for email spoofing, which involves an email sent from an address that’s almost, but not quite, identical to a genuine email address for a contact.
An email might look like it’s coming from longtime vendor, such as JohnSmith@jewelry.com, but upon closer inspection, it may actually read JohnSmith@jewellry.com.
If anything about the email seems off, it’s best to contact the vendor or customer by phone and be sure the request is genuine, JSA said.
Be careful with tracking numbers.
For any questions about a transaction, it’s best to reach out to the customer by phone via the number given at the time of purchase.
“You do not want to use the number given to you by the caller,” advised Ruddock.
JSA does not advise giving out the tracking number on a shipment. If a tracking number of a package is given to someone other than the customer, it may be possible for that person to redirect the merchandise.
JSA has also seen cases where a caller, pretending to be from a retail store, contacts a supplier and requests that a high-end item be sent to the store. The caller later diverts the shipment to a different address.
Set a limit on the number of times an address can be changed on a shipment, said Ruddock, and be clear with the shipper about how change of address requests should be handled.
Some companies, he said, have specified to their shipping company that if there are any attempts to change the address, the package should instead be returned to the company.
Make sure employees know the company’s cybersecurity policy.
Every company should have a written cybersecurity policy that is read and signed by employees, said JSA.
Be sure to regularly review the cyber-protocols with employees so everyone is on the same page.
Select cyber security firms also offer tests that allow employers to determine their employees’ ability to avoid phishing attacks and other scams.
Provide additional training to those employees who need it, advised Ruddock.
For more information about cybersecurity, visit the JSA website.
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
