Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CrimeJan 05, 2021
Former Jewelry Wholesalers Charged With Setting Up Home Invasion
Police in Bowling Green, Kentucky arrested Jeffery and Patricia Weisman for allegedly planning the July 2020 robbery of their late friend’s home.
Bowling Green, Ky.—Police in Bowling Green, Kentucky have arrested four individuals in a July 2020 home invasion that involved stealing a safe containing about $1 million worth of antique jewelry.
Late last month, the Bowling Green Police Department charged Nicolas Enrique Cruz-Palacios and Javier Nunez, both 41 years old and from Old Hickory, Tennessee, along with Bowling Green couple Jeffery M. Weisman and Patricia Weisman in the robbery of a residence/home office that belonged to a late friend of the Weismans.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance reported on the home invasion in a crime alert sent out in August 2020.
According to JSA, at about 10:30 a.m. on July 13, three men disguised as delivery drivers knocked on the door of the residence/home office in Bowling Green.
The home belonged to the late Dr. Barbara G. Burch, the former provost of Western Kentucky University who died in January 2020 at the age of 81, leaving behind her husband.
One suspect allegedly pulled a gun on the employee who opened the door, tied her up and held her at gunpoint while the other two men wheeled out a large safe, loading it into a white van using a moving dolly.
The employee “suffered extensive injuries” during the robbery, JSA said, while the suspects—armed with knowledge of the house—spray-painted an exterior surveillance camera and used a portable Wi-Fi jammer to disable interior security cameras.
Cruz-Palacios and Nunez are alleged to have carried out the robbery. Online records from the Warren County Detention Center show they face charges of first-degree robbery, kidnapping, and second-degree assault.
Both men gave police the name of the third individual allegedly involved in the robbery, but they were not the same name, WNKY reported.
Cruz-Palacios and Nunez are being held on $25,000 cash bond each.
Jeffery, 70, and Patricia, 64—former jewelry wholesalers who knew, and were friends with, Burch—are alleged to have set up the robbery.
They face charges of complicity to first-degree robbery, complicity to kidnapping, complicity to second-degree assault and theft by unlawful taking. They have been released on $25,000 cash bond each.
The Weismans owned Boyer’s Wholesale and Barbara’s Tea Room, a business that sold antique jewelry and furniture and contained a café.
The tea room portion of the business was named after Burch, with the top of the menu reading: “Dedicated to my dear late friend Barbara Burch, who had the original idea for
this parlor,” a photo on the business’ Facebook page shows.
According to the page, the store/café held its grand opening in September but, by November, had announced it was going out of business due to “unforeseen circumstances” and liquidating all inventory. Its last day of operation was posted as Dec. 7.
According to the page, the store/café held its grand opening in September but, by November, had announced it was going out of business due to “unforeseen circumstances” and liquidating all inventory. Its last day of operation was posted as Dec. 7.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
