ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
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
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
