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.
CrimeAug 11, 2020
Sneak Thief Wanted for Hitting Stores in 7 States
The suspect has been on the JSA’s radar since last fall.
Kansas City, Mo.—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance is on the lookout for a man authorities say has stolen jewelry from retailers in a spree spanning seven states.
On Monday, JSA issued an alert about the suspect taking a 3-carat diamond from a jewelry store in the Kansas City, Missouri area late last month.
According to the bulletin, he visited the store on July 30, the day before the theft, and was “all over the board” on what he wanted to see.
When the suspect returned the next day, he parked his car, a white Pontiac sedan, in the parking lot of a shopping center across the street.
JSA said he entered the store wearing a baseball cap and the kind of face mask worn to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which he did not have on the previous day, President John J. Kennedy noted.
He ignored the owner’s greeting—Kennedy said he was “very gruff”—and headed straight into the bridal room.
With all staff members busy waiting on customers in the other room, the suspect grabbed a set of keys from behind the showcase and quickly returned to the customer side, JSA said.
After a few tries, he was able to unlock the showcase, took the diamond ring and put the keys back in the drawer.
No one at the store noticed the ring was missing until the next day. 
When the pandemic first spurred the widespread wearing of masks in early spring, Kennedy told jewelers not to view customers’ mask-wearing as a potential threat on its own but instead to look out for masks coupled with other common red flags.
In this case, the suspect came into the store the day before with no apparent agenda, wore a ballcap in addition to the mask and more suspiciously, Kennedy said, parked across the street instead of in front of the store, presumably so employees wouldn’t see his vehicle (which was captured on the store’s exterior cameras anyway).
In addition, showcase keys should be kept with the owner or employees or locked up somewhere in the store, not left in the lock, on the counter, in a drawer or hanging from a hook. 
thefts at jewelry stores was last seen driving this white Pontiac sedan.The suspect is believed to have pulled off similar thefts in at least eight or nine jewelry stores spanning seven states: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, North Carolina and Oklahoma.
He is described as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s with a distinct speech pattern or speech impediment of some sort.
He first came on the JSA’s radar in fall 2019 when he allegedly pocketed loose diamonds at a jewelry store in Manlius, New York and stole a watch from another store in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“He is strictly a sneak thief,” Kennedy said.
This suspect doesn’t pull a gun or smash up the showcases; he simply gets his hands into open showcases or uses keys to reach in and grab a couple items.
Kennedy also noted the suspect, who is believed to be working alone, is mobile, as he’s been able to hit stores spanning from New York to Oklahoma.
He is described as a white male in his late 30s or early 40s with a distinct speech pattern or speech impediment of some sort.
He first came on the JSA’s radar in fall 2019 when he allegedly pocketed loose diamonds at a jewelry store in Manlius, New York and stole a watch from another store in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“He is strictly a sneak thief,” Kennedy said.
This suspect doesn’t pull a gun or smash up the showcases; he simply gets his hands into open showcases or uses keys to reach in and grab a couple items.
Kennedy also noted the suspect, who is believed to be working alone, is mobile, as he’s been able to hit stores spanning from New York to Oklahoma.
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
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 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
