SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
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
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
