TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
CrimeOct 02, 2020
Tips for Burglary Prevention as Professionals ‘Return to Work’
JSA says there’s been an uptick in burglaries by skilled criminals after a period of dormancy due to COVID-19.
New York—As stores nationwide continue to reopen and perhaps even extend their hours, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance is urging retailers to review the safeguards they have in place to prevent burglaries.
In its weekly bulletin sent out Thursday, JSA shared a dozen recommendations for preventing burglaries or, at least, mitigating losses.
They included the following.
— Respond to all alarm signals promptly, and examine every possible point of entry—the doors, windows, roof and walls, including those that are shared with neighboring premises.
— Electrical junction boxes also need to be examined since some gangs cut or disconnect the power to disable alarm systems and cameras.
— Don’t leave merchandise out in showcases overnight and don’t cover them; it is safer if potential burglars can see that a store’s showcases are empty. Even less expensive merchandise needs to be put away out of sight, even if it’s just in a closet or drawer.
— Use some interior lighting when the store is closed so criminals who might be casing the store can see the showcases are empty, and police will be better able to spot any intruders.
— Don’t put the store’s safe or safes on an outside wall or a wall that’s shared with a neighboring business. Burglars break through walls to access them.
— Keep surveillance camera images stored on the cloud or in another remote location in the event burglars remove the surveillance equipment when leaving the store.
The tips came as JSA reported an uptick in burglaries as “professionals”—meaning criminals with more sophisticated tools and know-how—have begun to hit jewelry stores after a period of dormancy the organization believes was COVID-19 related.
Over the past two years, burglaries involving significant losses have been “especially frequent,” JSA President John J. Kennedy told National Jeweler on Thursday.
At the beginning of the year, before COVID-19 became widespread in the United States, JSA warned jewelers about a spate of rooftop burglaries that happened in late December through mid-January.
Kennedy said at the time rooftop burglaries had more than doubled from 2018 to 2019, while safe attacks in 2019 totaled 25, up from 13 in 2018, an increase that looked like it was set to continue into 2020.
But the coronavirus pandemic curtailed that activity, just like it did almost everything else.
“During COVID, stores were closed and merchandise locked away at night. There were fewer people on the streets
at night to provide some cover for burglars, and fencing was more difficult and markets disrupted,” Kennedy said.
The recent string of burglaries has hit stores from coast to coast. Different groups are carrying out these crimes, JSA said.
It detailed two in its bulletin that involved the suspects cutting through the roof or the wall.
On Sept. 25, burglars cut a hole in the roof of a store in Savannah, Georgia, dropped down into the store and proceeded to break into and empty the safe.
Police responded to an alarm signal at the store after midnight, walked around the perimeter and looked in the windows but left because they didn’t see anything, JSA said.
Employees discovered the hole and the emptied safe when they arrived to work in the morning.
Late Friday night on Sept. 25 or early Saturday morning on Sept. 26, burglars cut through the cement wall of a church located adjacent to a jewelry store in Grand Island, Nebraska, and cut into two safes.
Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or via email at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
The recent string of burglaries has hit stores from coast to coast. Different groups are carrying out these crimes, JSA said.
It detailed two in its bulletin that involved the suspects cutting through the roof or the wall.
On Sept. 25, burglars cut a hole in the roof of a store in Savannah, Georgia, dropped down into the store and proceeded to break into and empty the safe.
Police responded to an alarm signal at the store after midnight, walked around the perimeter and looked in the windows but left because they didn’t see anything, JSA said.
Employees discovered the hole and the emptied safe when they arrived to work in the morning.
Late Friday night on Sept. 25 or early Saturday morning on Sept. 26, burglars cut through the cement wall of a church located adjacent to a jewelry store in Grand Island, Nebraska, and cut into two safes.
Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or via email at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
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.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
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.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
