Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2020
What to Do Before and After a Hurricane
As Hurricane Laura makes its way north, Berkley Asset Protection and Jewelers Mutual Group offer 26 tips for jewelers on preparing for, and dealing with, major storms.
Hurricane Laura made landfall early Thursday morning on the Texas-Louisiana border. As it moves north, here are tips for jewelers in its path on how to protect their stores, employees and goods. (Photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
New York—Hurricane Laura made landfall early Thursday morning near the Texas-Louisiana border.
The Category 4 storm is the second named hurricane of the year, following Hurricane Hanna in late July.
After “rapid intensification” over a 24-hour period into Wednesday, Laura lashed the coast with 140-mile-per-hour winds when it hit land.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the massive storm was downgraded to a Category 2 by Thursday morning but still had sustained winds of more than 100 mph and is expected to cause “catastrophic damage.”
Through the week, NOAA expects Laura to move up the Texas-Louisiana border and into Arkansas before heading east, through southeast Missouri, northern Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
Insurance companies Berkley Asset Protection and Jewelers Mutual Group offer tips to help retailers that are in the storm’s path prepare.
1. Stock up on emergency supplies if you haven’t already. This includes plywood for windows if there are no shutters, as well as mops, brooms, tarpaulins to cover key equipment and sandbags.
2. Keep an eye on TV, radio and online to monitor weather conditions and the issuing of watches and/or warnings.
3. Test generators, emergency lighting, uninterruptible power source equipment and sump pumps to make sure they’re functioning properly.
4. Put items that could be picked up by wind, such as store signs and outdoor furniture, inside the building.
5. Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you don’t have the latter, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
6. Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
7. Store jewelry inventory in the safe or in a bank.
8. Make sure the computer system is fully backed up and that a copy of key information—like inventory records, repairs, vendors, year-to-date sales, vendors and contacts—has been made to be kept in a safe place away from the store. Jewelers Mutual has a checklist of such material in its Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
9. Charge cell phones and download a weather app, like NOAA Now or NOAA Weather.
10. Give both your staff and local law enforcement your cell phone number.
11. Cover computers, machinery, supplies and other areas with tarps. Avoid storing materials on the floor if they could be damaged by water.
12. Fill your car’s gas tank and get extra cash out.
13. Create an evacuation plan and communicate it to your team, business neighbors and family members. Learn safe routes to travel inland.
14.
Evacuate if advised by authorities. Leave early, during daylight hours if possible. Be careful to avoid roads that are flooded or washed out.
15. Since most business insurance plans don’t cover flooding, consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, which must be purchased in advance.
16. Do not go near standing water or moving water, or attempt to drive across flowing water.
Berkley Asset Protection and Jewelers Mutual Group also have 10 tips for retailers that apply to after a hurricane has come through.
1. Do not return to the area until the authorities say it is safe to do so.
2. Survey for damage and take pictures of any damage to the building and its contents.
3. Contact your security company and insurance agent as soon as possible to report damage and review next steps.
4. Check for downed power lines and exposed electrical lines. Report loose or dangling power lines to the local utility company, police or fire department.
5. Before utilities are turned back on, check for gas leaks, look for electrical system damage and check for sewage and water line damage.
6. Complete temporary and immediate repairs to minimize hazards and ensure the building can be safely accessed.
7. Remove all debris as soon as the adjuster has been contacted, and separate damaged property from undamaged property, taking care to protect the latter.
8. Use the telephone only for emergency calls, keep abreast of the current situation, and account for all employees.
9. Critique your pre- and post-storm actions to find strengths and weaknesses and make necessary adjustments for the next emergency.
10. As you are setting up the store again, don’t forget to take COVID-19 protocols into account.
“Remember that COVID didn’t go away just because Laura showed up. You should still be taking the necessary precautions—wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing,” said Andrew Chipman, vice president of jewelers block at Berkley Asset Protection.
For additional help from either company, visit BerkleyAssetPro.com or JewelersMutual.com.
15. Since most business insurance plans don’t cover flooding, consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, which must be purchased in advance.
16. Do not go near standing water or moving water, or attempt to drive across flowing water.
Berkley Asset Protection and Jewelers Mutual Group also have 10 tips for retailers that apply to after a hurricane has come through.
1. Do not return to the area until the authorities say it is safe to do so.
2. Survey for damage and take pictures of any damage to the building and its contents.
3. Contact your security company and insurance agent as soon as possible to report damage and review next steps.
4. Check for downed power lines and exposed electrical lines. Report loose or dangling power lines to the local utility company, police or fire department.
5. Before utilities are turned back on, check for gas leaks, look for electrical system damage and check for sewage and water line damage.
6. Complete temporary and immediate repairs to minimize hazards and ensure the building can be safely accessed.
7. Remove all debris as soon as the adjuster has been contacted, and separate damaged property from undamaged property, taking care to protect the latter.
8. Use the telephone only for emergency calls, keep abreast of the current situation, and account for all employees.
9. Critique your pre- and post-storm actions to find strengths and weaknesses and make necessary adjustments for the next emergency.
10. As you are setting up the store again, don’t forget to take COVID-19 protocols into account.
“Remember that COVID didn’t go away just because Laura showed up. You should still be taking the necessary precautions—wearing a mask, washing hands, and social distancing,” said Andrew Chipman, vice president of jewelers block at Berkley Asset Protection.
For additional help from either company, visit BerkleyAssetPro.com or JewelersMutual.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
