MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
OtherApr 06, 2014
8 takeaways from the JSA’s 2013 crime stats
The number of reported incidences of jewelry crime fell again in 2013, continuing a trend that began in the 1990s.
New York--The number of reported incidences of jewelry crime fell again in 2013, continuing a trend that began in the 1990s.
According to the 2013 crime report prepared by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, the total number of crimes reported decreased from 1,538 in 2012 to 1,414 in 2013, an 8 percent decline.
Dollar losses, however, climbed 11 percent from $60.2 million to $66.5 million due to an increased number of bolder, if not more sophisticated, million- and multi-million dollar incidences.
What follows is National Jeweler’s breakdown of the 2013 statistics compiled by the JSA and what jewelers can learn by looking inside the numbers.
1. The main trend is down. While statistics in certain categories rose year-over-year, JSA President John J. Kennedy said overall, jewelry crime is declining and has been for a number of years. Factors contributing to the drop include an increase in law enforcement efforts to pursue cases of jewelry crime, and the advent of the Internet, which has enabled police and jewelers to share information more easily. Twenty years ago, the JSA would put out about four pictures of jewelry suspects a year. Kennedy said last year, they circulated 142 photos, including digital pictures from stores and snaps taken with cell phone cameras. “I think the Internet has had a big effect on crime enforcement,” he said.
2. The thefts in 2013 were larger. While overall crime was down, dollars losses were up 11 percent. This was due to an increased number of million- and multi-million-dollar robberies and burglaries, including a few high-dollar grab-and-runs and a rise in the number of rooftop burglaries. Kennedy said the crimes in 2013 were, if not more sophisticated, at the least very bold.
3. Leaving out merchandise in showcases overnight is a bad idea. In 2013, the JSA statistics show that the number of rooftop burglaries climbed from 18 in 2012 to 34, an 89 percent increase. Florida had the most rooftop burglaries of any state with 15. Kennedy said many of the rooftop invasions involved the theft of product that remained in showcases after hours. He also noted that the increase in rooftop burglaries contributed to the year-over-year increase in dollar losses because they usually are high-dollar crimes. Perpetrators have more time to spend in the store before they are detected.
4. Just covering the display cases with cloth doesn’t work. Putting merchandise away in
a safe is the best course of action. Kennedy noted that the perpetrators involved in rooftop burglaries often have their targets picked out ahead of time, selecting stores with high-value products that they know remains in cases overnight. “People think they can leave out hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of product, and it gets taken,” he said.
5. Showing only one item at a time is still advisable. In 2013, there were 476 grab-and-run crimes, up 26 percent from 378 in 2012. The average loss from these incidences was $8,717. While many grab-and-runs involve the loss of only $3,000 to $5,000 in merchandise, they can be high-dollar crimes. One grab-and-run in New York, for example, resulted in a $100,000 loss. Jewelers are urged to show only one item at a time to reduce the threat of a grab-and-run.
6. The number of “tiger kidnappings” fell. Among the surprises in this year’s statistics was the drop-off in the number of so-called tiger kidnappings, where the perpetrator follows the jeweler to observe his or her patterns and then attacks them off-premises. Kennedy said while it initially appeared that these types of incidences were going to be a big problem for the industry, the trend reversed itself in 2013. Off-premises crimes were down overall, from 68 in 2012 to 40 in 2013, and home invasions of jewelers fell from nine to three. Kennedy said he doesn’t have a great amount of insight into why this happened. “Things vary and sometimes there’s no rational explanation for it,” he said.
7. It was a bad year for jewelry crime in North Carolina. California had the highest number of reported jewelry crimes in 2013 at 164. It is also the state with the most jewelry stores, and normally leads the country in crime because of this. The usual suspects followed: Florida (112 reported crimes in 2013), Texas (108) and New York (99). Kennedy said what was surprising to see was North Carolina coming in fifth with 78 reported crimes. He said this was due to a gang that was operating between Pennsylvania and Georgia and hitting the states in between, including Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. “That area … really got hit hard, much harder than usual,” Kennedy said. Only one state reported no jewelry crimes in 2013 and that was South Dakota.
8. Percentages don’t tell the whole story. Year-over-year, homicides of retailers and traveling salesmen rose from two in 2012 to five in 2013, but Kennedy cautions against seeing it as an overall indication that violence against jewelers is on the rise. A few of the homicides in 2013 involved unusual circumstances. The brutal July slaying of two jewelry store employees in San Francisco allegedly arose from a price dispute while the fatal shooting of a traveling salesman in California was a robbery gone wrong, Kennedy said. The suspect’s gun discharged when he was trying to break the window of the salesman’s car to rob him.
More on Other
The Latest
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
