EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
