Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
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
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
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.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
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.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
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.
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.
