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.”
Events & AwardsJul 27, 2016
Female Robber’s Accomplices Found Guilty
A federal jury in Florida returned the verdict against the three men who allegedly trained armed jewelry store robber Abigail Lee Kemp.
Panama City, Fla.--A federal jury in Florida returned a guilty verdict against the three men who allegedly trained and assisted the infamous female armed jewelry store robber, Abigail Lee Kemp.
Documents filed in federal court in Florida confirm that Lewis Jones III, along with brothers Larry Bernard and Michael Bernard Gilmore, were found guilty Monday of conspiracy to commit robberies affecting commerce along with multiple weapons charges.
The 25-year-old Kemp made headlines earlier this year because of the “extremely unusual” nature of the case--she would go into the stores alone and armed, and tie up the employees herself before stealing jewelry from the showcases and fleeing. This is unusual because jewelry store armed robberies are rarely carried out alone and almost never involve women, never mind women by themselves.
John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, said when the case first made headlines that Kemp is the only lone female robber he can remember.
Kemp and Jones were arrested together in Smyrna, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, on Jan. 8. Police picked up the Gilmore brothers in mid-February.
Earlier this month, the 25-year-old Kemp entered a guilty plea in federal court and then testified against her accomplices at their trial.
According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, Kemp told the jury that Jones and the Gilmore brothers, who owned a window tinting shop in Atlanta, recruited her for the robberies and then trained her, teaching her how to hold a gun and what jewels to grab.
Defense attorneys argued, however, that jurors shouldn’t listen to Kemp, painting her as a scorned ex-lover of Jones, a drug user and someone who was lying in exchange for a lighter sentence, NWFDailyNews.com reported.
In the end, the jury found Jones and the Gilmores guilty in connection with a total of six jewelry store robberies, in Woodstock and Dawsonville, Ga.; Sevierville, Tenn.; Panama City, Fla.; Mebane, N.C. and the South Carolina town of Bluffton.
Their sentencing is set for Oct. 12 while Kemp’s is scheduled to take place Oct. 10.
Jonathan Dingus, the Panama City-based attorney who represented Larry Gilmore, said his client is facing as much as 53 years behind bars, which essentially is a life sentence for the 43 year old.
He said if he does file any appeals in the case, it won’t happen until after sentencing.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
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.
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.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
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.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
