Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
Policies & IssuesAug 05, 2013
Crime down 12 percent through first 6 months of year
Six months into 2013, statistics from the Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) show that the number of crimes against the jewelry industry has dropped, though the number of homicides is up and kidnappings and home invasions remain a threat.
New York--Six months into 2013, statistics from the Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) show that the number of crimes against the jewelry industry has dropped, though the number of homicides is up and kidnappings and home invasions remain a threat.
According to data released by the JSA last week, there were 740 crimes against the industry totaling $35.3 million in losses between Jan. 1 and June 30. (The JSA reports dollar losses at cost, not retail.)
That is down 12 percent from the same period last year when crimes numbered 844. In dollar terms, total losses are down 14 percent from $41.1 million.
Arrests are down from 273 to 211, a 23 percent drop.
JSA President John J. Kennedy called the decline in the number of crimes significant and attributed it to sharing of information among law enforcement and more well-informed jewelers.
“I don’t know how low you can go. It keeps getting lower and I don’t know where it’s going to stop,” he said.
He acknowledges that crime statistics won’t keep declining indefinitely. Eventually, the trend will reverse itself and that could start as soon as the second half of the year. “It’s impossible to predict,” he said.
Off-premises crimes against the industry, including kidnappings, home invasions and the robbery of traveling salesmen, is the category that has experienced the greatest half-year decline, from 37 incidents in the first six months of 2012 to 26 this year, a 30 percent decline.
Twenty-six is an all-time low for the category, which totaled 92 at the year’s halfway point just five years ago and used to account for as many dollar losses as all other industry crimes combined. Kennedy said the drop is due to more arrests of South American gangs, tougher immigration policies and a significant drop in the number of traveling salesmen.
“There are still fewer salesmen on the road. There’s fewer and fewer all the time,” he said.
While the number of off-premises crimes dropped, dollar losses increased from $5.5 million to $6.9 million, with two high-dollar incidences raising the overall average.
Kennedy warns that home invasions and kidnappings remain a threat to jewelers, with the JSA recording six such crimes since the beginning of the year.
Incidences of theft dropped 13 percent, from 461 to 402. Dollar losses in this category declined from $9 million to $5 million.
Robberies, defined as theft that involves
the use or force or fear, declined 11 percent, from 159 to 142, with dollar losses down from $19.8 million to $17.4 million. Burglaries, defined as entering a premises, usually at night, to steal something, fell from 187 to 170, a 9 percent drop. Dollar losses in this category fell from $6.8 million to $6.0 million.
While crime in the four categories tracked by JSA has declined year-over-year, two jewelers were murdered between Jan. 1 and June 30 following a year in which the JSA recorded zero homicides of jewelers.
A traveling jewelry salesman from Hong Kong was murdered in West Covina, Calif. in January, and Villa Rica, Ga. retailer Mitch Mobley was killed in his store in late June.
Three more jewelers have become homicide victims since June 30, bringing the to-date total for 2013 to five.
A clerk at National Jewelry Buyers in Albuquerque, N.M. was shot in a robbery in July while two employees of a San Francisco jewelry store, Victoga Inc., were killed by a customer who claimed he was overcharged, news reports state.
“That’s a lot. There are years we don’t have five,” Kennedy said, but adds there is not necessarily a specific reason homicide statistics have increased.
Taking a longer-range view of the statistics, Kennedy said he has noticed a shift in the geographical center of crime over the last few years from the West Coast to East Coast states, specifically Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina.
“We’ve seen a big concentration in that area, particularly in Pennsylvania,” he said.
The shift is due in part to gangs in certain areas of the country being put out of commission while gangs pop up elsewhere, he said.
While crime in the four categories tracked by JSA has declined year-over-year, two jewelers were murdered between Jan. 1 and June 30 following a year in which the JSA recorded zero homicides of jewelers.
A traveling jewelry salesman from Hong Kong was murdered in West Covina, Calif. in January, and Villa Rica, Ga. retailer Mitch Mobley was killed in his store in late June.
Three more jewelers have become homicide victims since June 30, bringing the to-date total for 2013 to five.
A clerk at National Jewelry Buyers in Albuquerque, N.M. was shot in a robbery in July while two employees of a San Francisco jewelry store, Victoga Inc., were killed by a customer who claimed he was overcharged, news reports state.
“That’s a lot. There are years we don’t have five,” Kennedy said, but adds there is not necessarily a specific reason homicide statistics have increased.
Taking a longer-range view of the statistics, Kennedy said he has noticed a shift in the geographical center of crime over the last few years from the West Coast to East Coast states, specifically Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina.
“We’ve seen a big concentration in that area, particularly in Pennsylvania,” he said.
The shift is due in part to gangs in certain areas of the country being put out of commission while gangs pop up elsewhere, he said.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
