FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
CrimeOct 01, 2019
8 Things to Know About Jewelry Crime in 2018
The JSA’s annual report details the most common crime perpetrated against the industry, the states with the most and least incidences, and more.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s annual crime report is out, and it paints a picture of an industry that is safer than it has been in decades.
Though the number of overall crimes was up slightly, dollar losses dropped dramatically and violence against jewelers hit a low not seen in decades. 
Safer, after all, is a relative term when applied to the jewelry industry; there still were nearly 1,500 burglaries, robberies and thefts last year.
“It’s still a very dangerous business, and it will always be a dangerous business,” he said. “You have to follow all the proper security protocol or else you’re going to be a victim at some point.”
Below are eight takeaways from JSA’s annual crime report for 2018. The report charts statistics on crimes that occurred between Jan. 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2018 and were reported to JSA.
1. Dollar losses dropped 26 percent year-over-year.
Dollar losses fell for the third consecutive year in 2018, and dropped significantly compared with the prior year.
In 2016, losses totaled $75.8 million. That number slipped to $73.9 million in 2017 before plummeting to $53.4 million last year.
Kennedy said the reason for the drop in dollar losses is that JSA, through support from the industry, has been able to hire and pay a full-time crime analyst. This, combined with other upgrades, allows the organization to give more information to the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. And that, in turn, helps them zero in on large, organized theft gangs.
“You’re not going to stop someone who’s going to go in and grab a diamond ring, but the big-dollar gangs, if you get them, you stop innumerable future crimes, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Information sharing online, whether by the trade press or on social media, also helps, he said.
2. The number of incidences involving violence (a gun, another weapon, etc.) also declined.
In 2016, losses totaled $75.8 million. That number slipped to $73.9 million in 2017 before plummeting to $53.4 million last year.
Kennedy said the reason for the drop in dollar losses is that JSA, through support from the industry, has been able to hire and pay a full-time crime analyst. This, combined with other upgrades, allows the organization to give more information to the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. And that, in turn, helps them zero in on large, organized theft gangs.
“You’re not going to stop someone who’s going to go in and grab a diamond ring, but the big-dollar gangs, if you get them, you stop innumerable future crimes, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Information sharing online, whether by the trade press or on social media, also helps, he said.
2. The number of incidences involving violence (a gun, another weapon, etc.) also declined.
The percentage of robberies in which the perpetrators pulled a gun was 36 percent last year, down from 50 percent in 2017 and 62 percent in 2016.
Robberies involving other forms of violence stood at 18 percent, down from 28 percent and 32 percent in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Kennedy called the trend
Robberies involving other forms of violence stood at 18 percent, down from 28 percent and 32 percent in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Kennedy called the trend
“very significant” and said it is due in part to stiffer penalties for crimes involving guns.
It also means fewer jewelers and traveling salespeople getting killed on the job.
Last year, only one member of the jewelry industry lost his life during a robbery, 32-year-old Jason Cullen, who was killed at his family’s Highland, California store in January 2018. The last time there was only a single person killed in the industry was 1980.
The number of jewelers shot but not fatally also fell, from five to three.
Two robbers were killed by jewelers in the commission of a crime in 2018, up from one in 2017.
3. But the total number of crimes rose.
It also means fewer jewelers and traveling salespeople getting killed on the job.
Last year, only one member of the jewelry industry lost his life during a robbery, 32-year-old Jason Cullen, who was killed at his family’s Highland, California store in January 2018. The last time there was only a single person killed in the industry was 1980.
The number of jewelers shot but not fatally also fell, from five to three.
Two robbers were killed by jewelers in the commission of a crime in 2018, up from one in 2017.
3. But the total number of crimes rose.
The total number of crimes was up 3 percent year-over-year, from 1,394 to 1,441.
Theft, defined as the taking of property without force or fear as in a grab-and-run or a diamond switch, accounted for 68 percent of all jewelry crime in 2018.
There were 984 thefts reported to JSA, compared with 214 burglaries, 209 robberies and 34 off-premises crimes. (A burglary is when the perpetrators enter the premises after hours with intent to commit a crime while robberies involve the taking of property by force or fear. Off-premises crimes include attacks on traveling salespeople, designers doing trunk shows and companies exhibiting at jewelry trade shows.)
4. The most common crime was …
Theft, defined as the taking of property without force or fear as in a grab-and-run or a diamond switch, accounted for 68 percent of all jewelry crime in 2018.
There were 984 thefts reported to JSA, compared with 214 burglaries, 209 robberies and 34 off-premises crimes. (A burglary is when the perpetrators enter the premises after hours with intent to commit a crime while robberies involve the taking of property by force or fear. Off-premises crimes include attacks on traveling salespeople, designers doing trunk shows and companies exhibiting at jewelry trade shows.)
4. The most common crime was …
The grab-and-run theft. There were 641 last year—up from 556 in 2017—and they accounted for 65 percent of all thefts and 44 percent of all jewelry crimes.
The average grab-and-run loss was $8,142, and one incident in Texas resulted in a loss of $106,300.
5. The number of smash-and-grab robberies nearly doubled.
The average grab-and-run loss was $8,142, and one incident in Texas resulted in a loss of $106,300.
5. The number of smash-and-grab robberies nearly doubled.
Incidences in which the perpetrators broke through showcases or windows to steal jewelry rose from 71 in 2017 to 129 in 2018, an 82 percent increase. Arrests of smash-and-grab criminals also were up, from 28 to 65.
For all robberies, not just smash-and-grabs, the greatest number occurred between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.
Kennedy said this is mainly due to perpetrators hitting mall chain stores late in the day, hoping the mall and the store are not crowded, the staff is tired and, in the fall and winter months, it’s dark outside.
He noted that closing time has always been a “very dangerous time” for jewelers.
6. Off-premises crimes continued to decline.
For all robberies, not just smash-and-grabs, the greatest number occurred between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m.
Kennedy said this is mainly due to perpetrators hitting mall chain stores late in the day, hoping the mall and the store are not crowded, the staff is tired and, in the fall and winter months, it’s dark outside.
He noted that closing time has always been a “very dangerous time” for jewelers.
6. Off-premises crimes continued to decline.
In recent years, it’s a trend that holds true every year. Changing distribution channels mean fewer traveling jewelry salespeople on the road and a decline in the number of off-premises crimes.
There were 34 cases reported to JSA in 2018, down from 39 in 2017, with parking lots standing as the most common place of occurrence for off-premises attacks, followed by highways/streets and residences.
Dollar losses dropped by 60 percent to $7.2 million.
The 34 cases consisted of 22 robberies and 12 thefts, including the notable theft of a 20-carat diamond from a Las Vegas jewelry trade show in June 2018, a loss totaling $580,000.
Seven out of the 12 thefts involved merchandise stolen from unattended vehicles, which is not generally covered by insurance, JSA noted.
7. A high percentage of crime is concentrated in a handful of states.
There were 34 cases reported to JSA in 2018, down from 39 in 2017, with parking lots standing as the most common place of occurrence for off-premises attacks, followed by highways/streets and residences.
Dollar losses dropped by 60 percent to $7.2 million.
The 34 cases consisted of 22 robberies and 12 thefts, including the notable theft of a 20-carat diamond from a Las Vegas jewelry trade show in June 2018, a loss totaling $580,000.
Seven out of the 12 thefts involved merchandise stolen from unattended vehicles, which is not generally covered by insurance, JSA noted.
7. A high percentage of crime is concentrated in a handful of states.
Kennedy said while temporary “hot spots” for crime pop up from time to time, most crimes generally happen where the most jewelry stores are, and those are where the people are.
California and Texas, which are the two most populous states in the U.S., topped the lists for most jewelry store robberies and most burglaries.
The most active states for off-premises losses were California (35 percent), Florida (9 percent), Illinois (9 percent) and New York (9 percent). These four states accounted for 62 percent of all off-premises crimes.
8. The JSA received no reports of jewelry crimes from three U.S. states in 2018.
California and Texas, which are the two most populous states in the U.S., topped the lists for most jewelry store robberies and most burglaries.
The most active states for off-premises losses were California (35 percent), Florida (9 percent), Illinois (9 percent) and New York (9 percent). These four states accounted for 62 percent of all off-premises crimes.
8. The JSA received no reports of jewelry crimes from three U.S. states in 2018.
They were: Idaho, Vermont and Wyoming, which are three of the least populated states.
More on Crime
The Latest
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
