IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
OtherDec 16, 2014
8 tips for having a safe trunk show
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., ISPS and Jewelers UnBlocked give pointers on having a safe trunk show during the holiday season and year-round.
New York--Trunks shows are a good way to showcase goods from a particular designer, or designers, to a motivated customer base.
But getting those motivated customers into the store means advertising, which anyone, including criminals, can see.
David Sexton, the vice president of loss prevention consulting at Jewelers Mutual; Itay Hendel, the CEO of ISPS, a global jewelry security training and risk prevention firm; and Jewelers UnBlocked President and CEO Patricia Low offered the following tips for trunk show safety during the holiday season and year-round.
1) Ship the jewelry if possible. Vendors/designers shipping their goods directly to the store via armored car is the safest solution. And then, even if almost everything sells, ship what remains back to the office. “Thieves may target you as you leave the event, assuming that you have valuables on your person,” said ISPS’s Hendel.
2) If the merchandise can’t be sent in advance, be vigilant. Have the designer or vendor call when they near the store, giving the staff time to scope out the parking lot for suspicious behavior. Have them park as close as possible to a store entrance that is visible and not secluded.
3) Offer assistance. Have one or two members of the staff help unload the merchandise and bring it into the store while another staff member keeps an eye out for potential risks. The store owner should offer their safe or vault for overnight storage, if necessary.
4) Share information with the local police department. Let the local police department know that the store will be having designers/vendors visiting and be specific about the threats that robbery gangs pose. If possible, ask for extra police presence for the designer’s arrival and departure.
5) Keep a guard up, literally. Hendel recommended posting security guards--preferably off-duty police officers in uniform--at the front of the trunk show site whenever possible, particularly if the show includes significant pieces. Sexton said that jewelers also should, if feasible and necessary, provide secure transportation to and from the airport, or even provide an escort out of town to make sure the designer isn’t being followed.
6) Split up the high-value merchandise. Don’t put all the most expensive pieces in one display case to avoid huge losses in the event of a smash-and-grab.
7) Escort them out. Exercise the same vigilance as when the designer was arriving: Check the parking lot for
suspicious individuals and walk the designer to their car. Sexton also recommended that the person doing the escorting have a cell phone in hand so they can call in any suspicious activity. Do not, he said, carry a gun as it might escalate violence from waiting thieves.
8) Get covered. Both store owners and designers need to check with their insurance professional in advance to ensure they are covered for events such as a trunk show.
More on Other
The Latest
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
