This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Police make arrest in murder of Neb. jeweler
Police have arrested an 18-year-old man whom they suspect shot and killed a jewelry store owner during a robbery attempt at his store on Wednesday.
Omaha, Neb.--Police have arrested an 18-year-old man whom they suspect shot and killed a jewelry store owner during a robbery attempt at his store on Wednesday.
Jeweler James Minshall Sr., the 71-year-old owner of JR’s Jewelry & Gifts in Omaha, died of his injuries shortly after the shooting Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday, Omaha police arrested and booked Milton B. Dortch on suspicion of first-degree murder, suspicion of robbery and use of a weapon to commit a felony at the jewelry store, Omaha.com reported. Omaha police did not respond to request for comment on the case.
Dortch already was being sought for an earlier robbery at the time of the crime.
JR Jewelry store employees told local media that the robbery was botched. There was a customer and a few other employees in the store Wednesday when the thief walked in, threw a bag on the floor, brandished a gun and ordered the employees to put jewelry in the bag.
According to reports, while one employee began to fill the bag with goods, Minshall made a move toward the safe. That is when the suspect allegedly fired three shots toward him, striking him twice in the torso. The robber then ran out of the store, without the bag or any jewelry.
An employee of a nearby store said he saw a man run from the jewelry store, hop a fence and continue running, all before police arrived.
John Kennedy of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, which issued a crime alert on the Nebraska shooting hours before the suspect was arrested, provided National Jeweler with tips for dealing with this kind of a situation.
--Obey the orders of the robber. Do not say or do anything, or even raise your hands, unless told to do so. Cooperate fully and try not to panic.
--Do not attempt to disarm the robber or reach for a concealed weapon. Assume that the robber will shoot without hesitation.
--Never do or say anything that would anger the robber. For example, do not stare at him and have him think that you are trying to memorize his facial characteristics.
--The less time the robbers are in the store, the less risk there is of injury. Once the robbers have your merchandise, they can be expected to leave quickly.
--Do not press a holdup alarm, if your store has one, until the robbers have left
--Expect to be threatened. One of the robber’s weapons is the fear he creates, commonly saying “I’ll kill you if you make a move.” This is a typical threat; expect it and keep calm.
--Except to be tied up or handcuffed, and do as you’re told. Frequently the robber will force the jeweler and his staff to a back room or washroom and tell them to lie on the floor.
--If you are out of the robber’s sight, in a back room or elsewhere, stay where you are. Do not intrude on the crime scene.
--Do not chase or follow the robbers out of the store.
--It is important to rehearse with all employees what they should do in a robbery. Being prepared may help prevent an employee from panicking and provoking violence.
“Even if a jeweler follows all the rules to discourage robberies, the jeweler may still be a robbery target. JSA’s main advice if you do have a robbery is this: do not resist, and cooperate fully,” the organization said.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.