Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
CrimeNov 14, 2016
Off-Premises Attacks Spiked in Oct., JSA Says
There were eight attacks on traveling salespeople and jewelers away from their stores in October, about four times the monthly average seen so far this year.
New York--The number of attacks on traveling jewelry salespeople and retailers away from their stores spiked last month, prompting the Jewelers’ Security Alliance to issue a special alert and advisory.
According to the JSA, there were eight off-premises attacks in the month of October, about four times the monthly average recorded in January-September.
In one recent case, which the JSA described as “dramatic,” two salespeople driving onto a highway entrance ramp near the Seattle suburb of SeaTac were cut off by one car and struck from behind by another.
While one suspect stood nearby and pointed a handgun, two masked suspects approached the vehicle, broke two windows and assaulted the driver before grabbing a backpack containing diamonds and then puncturing the car’s tires.
Other attacks on traveling salespeople occurred in Lexington, Ky., Las Vegas and Chattanooga, Tenn.
The JSA also noted that a traveling salesperson was murdered earlier this year near the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, following a robbery attempt near the same airport the previous week.
Jewelers, meanwhile, were attacked off-premises in Roswell and Lilburn, Georgia; Thousand Oaks, California; and Naples, Florida.
The jeweler in Roswell got hit while leaving through the back door of her store while the jeweler in Lilburn was robbed in his home’s garage, the JSA said.
In the Naples robbery, four men wearing clown masks hid behind some bushes with a baseball bat and hit a jeweler’s SUV. As he walked to the back of the vehicle to inspect the source of the noise, the suspect struck him with bats, jumped into the SUV and drove off with his jewelry.
The JSA has 11 basic security recommendations for traveling salespeople and jewelers when they are carrying merchandise off-premises. They are the following.
1. Never resist in a robbery.
2. Traveling salespeople need to drive evasively after every sales call and before returning to their hotel, home or office. Drive slowly, cruise around the block, make U-turns, or pull into a fast-food restaurant or bank parking lot. Salespeople need to be aware of their surroundings--is anybody following the car?--and note that highway entrance and exit ramps provide a “favorable opportunity” for boxing in vehicles, the JSA said.
3. When driving to a retail store, scout the location. Park as close to the store as possible, do not enter by a rear or secluded entrance, and don’t stay in the car for any length of time before or after making sales calls.
4. Do not leave jewelry in an unattended vehicle.
According to the JSA, there were eight off-premises attacks in the month of October, about four times the monthly average recorded in January-September.
In one recent case, which the JSA described as “dramatic,” two salespeople driving onto a highway entrance ramp near the Seattle suburb of SeaTac were cut off by one car and struck from behind by another.
While one suspect stood nearby and pointed a handgun, two masked suspects approached the vehicle, broke two windows and assaulted the driver before grabbing a backpack containing diamonds and then puncturing the car’s tires.
Other attacks on traveling salespeople occurred in Lexington, Ky., Las Vegas and Chattanooga, Tenn.
The JSA also noted that a traveling salesperson was murdered earlier this year near the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, following a robbery attempt near the same airport the previous week.
Jewelers, meanwhile, were attacked off-premises in Roswell and Lilburn, Georgia; Thousand Oaks, California; and Naples, Florida.
The jeweler in Roswell got hit while leaving through the back door of her store while the jeweler in Lilburn was robbed in his home’s garage, the JSA said.
In the Naples robbery, four men wearing clown masks hid behind some bushes with a baseball bat and hit a jeweler’s SUV. As he walked to the back of the vehicle to inspect the source of the noise, the suspect struck him with bats, jumped into the SUV and drove off with his jewelry.
The JSA has 11 basic security recommendations for traveling salespeople and jewelers when they are carrying merchandise off-premises. They are the following.
1. Never resist in a robbery.
2. Traveling salespeople need to drive evasively after every sales call and before returning to their hotel, home or office. Drive slowly, cruise around the block, make U-turns, or pull into a fast-food restaurant or bank parking lot. Salespeople need to be aware of their surroundings--is anybody following the car?--and note that highway entrance and exit ramps provide a “favorable opportunity” for boxing in vehicles, the JSA said.
3. When driving to a retail store, scout the location. Park as close to the store as possible, do not enter by a rear or secluded entrance, and don’t stay in the car for any length of time before or after making sales calls.
4. Do not leave jewelry in an unattended vehicle.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
5. If jewelers or traveling salespeople think they are being followed, call 911 and tell the dispatcher the situation. If possible, make the call obvious to the suspects because criminals are less likely to pursue if they think their intended victim has called police.
6. Jewelers and salespeople who are having trouble with their trunk lock, door lock or ignition key, or have a flat tire, radiator trouble or have been bumped by another vehicle are likely being targeted for a crime. They should get themselves to a safe place.
7. Jewelers should not take valuable merchandise to their homes.
8. Even those not carrying merchandise should consider themselves a target if they are seen visiting a jewelry store while carrying a bag of any kind.
9. Gangs have been known to place global positioning system, or GPS, devices on salespeople’s cars. There are electronic devices that can detect their presence, and the JSA also recommends that traveling salespeople check under their cars regularly.
10. Keep travel plans confidential, including flights, departure and arrival times, hotels, rental cars and locations to be visited. This includes being careful about the type of information that’s shared on social media.
11. Do not gas up prior to returning a rental car, as it is important to limit exposure to potential crime. Buy the gas from the rental car company beforehand, or just return the car.
The Latest
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
