Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
CrimeOct 27, 2020
JSA Says There’s Been a Spike in Distraction Thefts
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance also offered tips for preventing such thefts in a recent email alert about the uptick.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has noticed, and is tracking, an uptick in the number of distraction thefts at jewelry stores.
An email alert sent out Thursday by JSA noted several such incidences across the country, starting in early August.
The New York Police Department is attempting to identify and apprehend the suspect.
The following month, a male suspect entered a jewelry store in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sept. 30 carrying a few plastic bags, according to JSA.
He placed the bags on a showcase and walked around the store. When he saw a tray of jewelry left out on a back counter, he moved his bags to that area and circled the store again.
He then rearranged and spread out the bags before reaching over for the tray, sliding it into a bag, and leaving the store.
About a week later, on Oct. 8, a man and a woman carrying a large shopping bag entered a mall jewelry store in Philadelphia.
The woman placed the bag on the counter next to the merchandise she wanted to see, while the man positioned himself so the bag was between him and the sales associate.
The showcase was left open during the sales presentation, and he reached into it twice and took merchandise.
The suspects were in the store for a total of three minutes.
The male suspect is described as about 35 years old, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds with glasses. The female is described as a being around the same age, 5 feet 5 inches tall and 180 pounds with long hair.
While being shown multiple men’s diamond rings, the male suspect placed items in his partner’s purse just before she left the store. The man denied having any rings and quickly left as well.
Those with more information about any of these incidents or the suspects are asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org.
In its email alert noting the rise in distraction thefts, JSA offered the following tips to jewelers.
1. Keep
showcases locked and merchandise put away, except when taking out or returning an item.
2. Beware of packages, coats and handbags left on the counter that block the view of a sales associate.
3. Keep an eye on customers wandering aimlessly—they might be looking for unlocked showcases or product left out.
4. Show only one item at a time.
5. Be aware that some thieves use small children to distract and try to show they aren’t a risk.
The JSA recently alerted the industry on increases in other jewelry crimes, including grab-and-run thefts and heists pulled off by “professional” burglars, meaning they involve more sophisticated tools and know-how, like rooftop burglaries.
2. Beware of packages, coats and handbags left on the counter that block the view of a sales associate.
3. Keep an eye on customers wandering aimlessly—they might be looking for unlocked showcases or product left out.
4. Show only one item at a time.
5. Be aware that some thieves use small children to distract and try to show they aren’t a risk.
The JSA recently alerted the industry on increases in other jewelry crimes, including grab-and-run thefts and heists pulled off by “professional” burglars, meaning they involve more sophisticated tools and know-how, like rooftop burglaries.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
