PodcastsMay 20, 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.
Policies & IssuesNov 03, 2020
10 Safety Tips for Jewelers Ahead of Election Day
As a highly contentious election season comes to a head, Berkley Asset Protection shares tips for securing jewelry stores in the event of civil unrest.
R.F. Moeller Jewelers, which has two stores in the Minneapolis area, boarded up both locations in June after lootings occurred in the city following the death of George Floyd.
New York—As an election season unlike any other nears its close, murmurs of civil unrest on the horizon have retailers nationwide on high alert.
Business owners are wary of a repeat of the events that followed protests organized in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died at the hands of white police officers in Minneapolis in May.
Amid the peaceful protestors who rallied against racism and called for accountability in the face of police violence against Black Americans were pockets of individuals who damaged property and looted stores.
While some said the looting was opportunistic and detracted from the call for justice, others said peaceful protests have been ignored in the past and were angered that some people seemed more upset about the property damage than the loss of human life.
Cities across the U.S. are readying themselves in the event they face a similar situation on Election Day in a tense and deeply divided nation.
In downtown Los Angeles’ jewelry district, the International Jewelry Center and St. Vincent Jewelry Center buildings have both issued “civil disturbance precautions” to tenants.
Tiffany & Co., Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other high-end retailers have implemented additional security measures ahead of Election Day.
Police departments in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas and other cities are preparing in the event of any election-related disturbances.
RELATED CONTENT: Jewelers React to Nationwide Protests, Looting
Three out of four voters are concerned about post-election violence, according to a recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll, with only one in four respondents saying they are “very confident” there will be a peaceful transfer of power if Democratic challenger Joe Biden defeats President Donald Trump.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy said in a statement to National Jeweler that jewelers can remain open, but should continue to take all the usual protections.
Berkley Asset Protection, which specializes in insuring jewelry, fine art, and other high-value items, has compiled a list of tips for jewelers concerned about election-related unrest, some of which are just standard store security measures.
Put all merchandise away in a safe or vault.
“The civil unrest that we saw this summer centered around property damage and commotion. These individuals were not trained burglars,” Berkley Asset Protection noted.
By moving items into the safe or a vault, the building may sustain damage, but the merchandise will be safely tucked away.
Do not cover the showcases, as that may give the impression that valuable items are underneath.
Business owners are wary of a repeat of the events that followed protests organized in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died at the hands of white police officers in Minneapolis in May.
Amid the peaceful protestors who rallied against racism and called for accountability in the face of police violence against Black Americans were pockets of individuals who damaged property and looted stores.
While some said the looting was opportunistic and detracted from the call for justice, others said peaceful protests have been ignored in the past and were angered that some people seemed more upset about the property damage than the loss of human life.
Cities across the U.S. are readying themselves in the event they face a similar situation on Election Day in a tense and deeply divided nation.
In downtown Los Angeles’ jewelry district, the International Jewelry Center and St. Vincent Jewelry Center buildings have both issued “civil disturbance precautions” to tenants.
Tiffany & Co., Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other high-end retailers have implemented additional security measures ahead of Election Day.
Police departments in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas and other cities are preparing in the event of any election-related disturbances.
RELATED CONTENT: Jewelers React to Nationwide Protests, Looting
Three out of four voters are concerned about post-election violence, according to a recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll, with only one in four respondents saying they are “very confident” there will be a peaceful transfer of power if Democratic challenger Joe Biden defeats President Donald Trump.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy said in a statement to National Jeweler that jewelers can remain open, but should continue to take all the usual protections.
Berkley Asset Protection, which specializes in insuring jewelry, fine art, and other high-value items, has compiled a list of tips for jewelers concerned about election-related unrest, some of which are just standard store security measures.
Put all merchandise away in a safe or vault.
“The civil unrest that we saw this summer centered around property damage and commotion. These individuals were not trained burglars,” Berkley Asset Protection noted.
By moving items into the safe or a vault, the building may sustain damage, but the merchandise will be safely tucked away.
Do not cover the showcases, as that may give the impression that valuable items are underneath.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Leave them uncovered to show that the case is empty and encourage robbers to move along, something JSA always advises jewelers to do.
“By having a contingency plan to get all inventory safely secured, the store will be less of a target,” said Berkley Asset Protection.
Don’t forget about inventory records.
Move inventory records offsite or keep a backup in a cloud-based system, as they can be difficult to recreate.
Having the records on-hand also makes it easier to file a claim if there is any loss.
Keep in touch with the local authorities.
The company advised paying close attention to communications from local police departments.
Heed any warnings of a possible event and abide by the advice given. Have a direct line to local law enforcement saved on your phone and your employees’ phones.
“We saw incidents this summer where unrest flared up in the afternoon. Being caught by surprise, some jewelers did not have the proper amount of time to close their store and secure goods,” Berkley said.
Be mindful of local news as well to see if there is unrest in nearby areas.
Make it clear there is no jewelry inside the store.
If a storefront is boarded up, consider writing “No Jewelry Onsite” on the boards.
While jewelry stores are always a target, signage outside may dissuade people from breaking into the store.
Close before the evening comes.
Jewelers should consider operating with reduced hours so the store can be closed before the evening.
“The important thing is having a pulse of the local community and potential triggers to unrest, especially in larger metro areas,” Berkley said.
If the store alarm goes off, wait for the police before visiting the store.
Several instances of video surveillance show that jewelry store break-ins can happen in waves, said the company.
“The last thing you want to face is entering the store, which appears empty, to then be confronted with another wave of rioters.”
Value safety over property.
Do not sleep in your store or attempt to defend it in any way, said Berkeley Asset Protection.
Once the store is boarded up and the merchandise has been moved to a safe place, focus on personal safety.
Be sure security cameras are working properly.
It’s important to have working cameras, but also to have them set up in the right places, like near cash registers, on expensive showcases and at exterior doors.
Be sure they’re at the proper height to capture a person’s face.
Have a system in place that stores the images for at least 30 days that is backed up to the cloud or another system off the premises.
Keep employees in the know.
Jewelers need to have a plan of action for last-minute situations. Staff should be briefed on what to do in case of an emergency.
Go through the store’s security protocol on a regular basis so staff know what to do in the event of a real-life situation.
For more information about store safety, visit Berkley Asset Protection’s website.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal 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.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
