CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
OtherAug 10, 2014
Arrests for jewelry crimes hit record level
Crimes against jewelers dropped in the first half of the year while the number of criminals being apprehended nearly doubled, Jewelers’ Security Alliance statistics for Jan. 1 to June 30 show.
New York--Crimes against jewelers dropped in the first half of the year while the number of criminals being apprehended nearly doubled, Jewelers’ Security Alliance statistics for Jan. 1 to June 30 show.
According to the figures, which were released last week by the JSA, the total number of crimes against the jewelry industry fell from 740 in the first six months of 2013 to 641 this year, a 13 percent drop.
JSA President John J. Kennedy said the reason for the drop in crime is the increase in another statistic the JSA tracks: arrests of jewelry criminals, particularly the prolific gangs that work in packs.
“That has a dramatic, cumulative effect on reducing crime,” he said. “You take out a bunch of people, you have less crime.”
Arrests rose from 211 in the first six months of 2013 to 374 in the first six months of 2014, a 77 percent increase.
Kennedy said the JSA has been tracking arrest statistics for about 15 years and can’t remember another six-month period with this many arrests. In fact, he says, the highest total number of arrests JSA has recorded for an entire year has been about 540 or 550; if arrests continue at the same pace, they will top 700 this year.
What is aiding authorities in being able to track down those who are wanted is increased communication from the JSA and local jewelry associations made possible by the Internet, which allows all parties involved to share information and high-quality photos quickly.
Two recent examples include the mid-July arrest of two alleged members of a ring that was using stolen identities to apply for in-store credit cards and then make big purchases. Police apprehended the suspects after local jewelers associations in Texas and North Carolina circulated the alerts the JSA distributed about the gang, which is believed to be responsible for more than $1 million in losses at multiple stores.
A similar sharing of alerts led to the arrest of three people wanted in a string of jewelry thefts across multiple states.
“It’s the sharing of information that does it,” Kennedy says.
In addition to the drop in crime, total dollar losses also declined in the period, slipping 4 percent from $35.3 million to $34 million.
Kennedy says dollar losses declined less dramatically than overall crime because the gangs still operating are targeting higher-end stores. “Their selection
process has improved,” he says. “They know what product is highly desirable in the marketplace…and gravitate toward those stores.”
Looking at the categories of crimes individually, robberies, burglaries and thefts all fell in the first six months of the year, JSA statistics show.
The number of robberies, which has been on a steady decline since 2011, dropped from 142 last year to 131 through the first six months of 2014. Burglaries fell from 170 to 127 and thefts were down from 402 to 355.
One jeweler was killed in the first half of the year--29-year-old Muhammad H. Baig was shot during a robbery at Victoria Jewelers in Richmond, Va.--compared with two in the same period last year.
The only category in which there was an increase was off-premise crimes which were up slightly, from 26 to 28.
Notwithstanding the very small increase in the first six months of this year, off-premise crimes have been on a steady decline since 2009, the JSA’s six-year comparison of statistics for Jan. 1 to June 30 shows. This is due to the decreasing number of traveling jewelry salesmen on the road, Kennedy says.
In 2011 and 2012 there was a spike in one type of off-premise crime: “tiger” kidnappings, incidences in which criminals conduct surveillance of jewelers and/or their employees, kidnap them when they are away from the store and force them to return and empty the safes.
Kennedy said, though, that reports of tiger kidnappings have dissipated in recent months due to the fact that many of those responsible have been arrested and now are in jail.
More on Other
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
