Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
CrimeMay 12, 2020
Texas Jewelry Store Employee Shot in Armed Robbery
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has several recommendations for retailers as they reopen.
Austin, Texas—A recent armed robbery resulted in the shooting and hospitalization of one jewelry store employee in Austin.
According to the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, three suspects entered a jewelry store—identified in local news reports as Korman Fine Jewelry—around 5 p.m. last Thursday, May 7, and fired multiple shots.
One employee was hit and sustained serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
The employee was taken to the hospital and remained in stable condition as of Friday, according to the Austin-Travis County EMS.
Police have taken two suspects into custody—their names have not yet been released—and are looking for at least one more person involved in the robbery.
The investigation is ongoing.
In a news alert sent out Monday afternoon, JSA said despite the fact that only a small number of jewelry stores have reopened, it is seeing a “significant level” of violent jewelry crime.
The organization said as more stores reopen, criminals who have been idle for the past few months are likely to cause an “explosion of crime.”
JSA recommends stores that are reopening follow these safety tips.
1. Jewelers should keep the entrance locked and have an employee or security guard admit a very small number of people at a time; a buzzer system is helpful. In mall locations or those without a locked door, there should be an employee or security guard controlling the entranceway.
2. All admitted customers need to wear masks. If a jeweler wants someone to remove theirs, it needs to be removed outside of the store. JSA also noted there are some limitations, as some jurisdictions require masks be worn and people can’t be asked to remove them before others have moved away.
3. Criminals sometimes try to conceal their identity using more than a surgical mask. They often use hats, hoodies or sunglasses in addition to masks, and some wear scarves, bandanas or rolled T-shirts instead of masks. A jeweler who feels someone is trying to conceal their identity, or is not sufficiently protected without a mask, should not admit said person into the locked store, whether they remove the mask/scarf outside or not.
4. Social distancing needs to be maintained inside the store by employees and customers.
5. Install a camera that is focused to the outside of the store for security and to help with admitting customers.
6. Jewelers who have furloughed or laid off employees should consider if store and
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
showcase keys, alarm codes and safe combinations could become a security issue if they’re in the possession of former employees. The jeweler may need to make changes to prevent any misuse.
7. Jewelers might want to consider shortening or adjusting store hours, especially so their store isn’t the only open business in the neighborhood.
8. Retailers engaging in curbside pick-up should keep the following in mind:
--Look out for criminals who may be waiting nearby, probably in cars, and watching the store;
--Repairs or items ordered online or by phone should be paid by credit card prior to pick-up;
--Two employees should handle pick-ups, with one surveilling the area and handling the door while the other goes to the car to deliver the merchandise;
--Don’t have fixed or posted hours for pick-up; instead make them by appointment, with the car description and license plate number obtained beforehand;
-- Customers arranging for curbside pick-up should be given a designated area as close to the front of the store as possible and visible from inside the store;
--Know the details and limits of jewelers block insurance coverage when delivering merchandise outside the store;
--Let local police know when the store is reopening and that it will engage in curbside pick-up so additional patrols can be made to the store’s location.
9. Keep various COVID-19 supplies in the store: extra gloves and masks for employees and customers, hand sanitizer, disinfectant for wiping showcases and door handles, and jewelry cleaner for wiping jewelry and watches before and after presentation.
10. The basic security principles always preached by JSA will be more important than ever, the organization said in its alert. Follow these standard crime prevention procedures, even when operating with a reduced staff.
--Don’t resist in a robbery.
--Look for red flags to help spot criminals, like three or more people wanting to enter together, nervous behavior and body language, inappropriate clothing for the season and staring up at cameras.
--Follow opening and closing protocols with two employees.
--Keep all showcases locked, except when taking merchandise out or putting it back.
--Show one item at a time.
--Don’t bring goods home.
--Put goods away each night in a safe or vault or, at minimum, put less expensive merchandise in a locked drawer or closet out of sight.
--Respond to all alarms accompanied by security, alarm or police personnel. A full inspection of the interior and exterior of the premises is necessary.
7. Jewelers might want to consider shortening or adjusting store hours, especially so their store isn’t the only open business in the neighborhood.
8. Retailers engaging in curbside pick-up should keep the following in mind:
--Look out for criminals who may be waiting nearby, probably in cars, and watching the store;
--Repairs or items ordered online or by phone should be paid by credit card prior to pick-up;
--Two employees should handle pick-ups, with one surveilling the area and handling the door while the other goes to the car to deliver the merchandise;
--Don’t have fixed or posted hours for pick-up; instead make them by appointment, with the car description and license plate number obtained beforehand;
-- Customers arranging for curbside pick-up should be given a designated area as close to the front of the store as possible and visible from inside the store;
--Know the details and limits of jewelers block insurance coverage when delivering merchandise outside the store;
--Let local police know when the store is reopening and that it will engage in curbside pick-up so additional patrols can be made to the store’s location.
9. Keep various COVID-19 supplies in the store: extra gloves and masks for employees and customers, hand sanitizer, disinfectant for wiping showcases and door handles, and jewelry cleaner for wiping jewelry and watches before and after presentation.
10. The basic security principles always preached by JSA will be more important than ever, the organization said in its alert. Follow these standard crime prevention procedures, even when operating with a reduced staff.
--Don’t resist in a robbery.
--Look for red flags to help spot criminals, like three or more people wanting to enter together, nervous behavior and body language, inappropriate clothing for the season and staring up at cameras.
--Follow opening and closing protocols with two employees.
--Keep all showcases locked, except when taking merchandise out or putting it back.
--Show one item at a time.
--Don’t bring goods home.
--Put goods away each night in a safe or vault or, at minimum, put less expensive merchandise in a locked drawer or closet out of sight.
--Respond to all alarms accompanied by security, alarm or police personnel. A full inspection of the interior and exterior of the premises is necessary.
More on Crime
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
