MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
CrimeJan 31, 2019
JSA Reports Jewelry Robbery Spikes in California, Colorado
A string of crimes over the past two weeks have rocked jewelry stores in both states.
New York—The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has reported a rash of jewelry robberies in two separate states.
In an alert sent Wednesday, the JSA warned of three gunpoint robberies that occurred between Jan. 25 and 29 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and eight smash-and-grab robberies between Jan. 12 and 22 across southern California.
In Colorado Springs, two armed suspects entered a jewelry store on Jan. 25 at noon. The JSA said one suspect hit an employee on the head before the duo made off with merchandise.
Later that day, four suspects—two with handguns—entered another jewelry store in the city, ordered store employees and customers to lie on the floor, then smashed showcases to remove the jewelry inside. They were out of the store within 30 seconds.
Four days later, five masked suspects entered another Colorado Springs jewelry store shortly after it opened.
The JSA said this time, one of the suspects fired a shot inside. The suspects smashed five showcases, removing their contents and clearing out the safe.
In southern California, the 10-day streak of smash-and-grab robberies started on Jan. 12, when two masked suspects robbed a San Diego store.
On Jan. 15, three suspects robbed a store in Whittier and on Jan. 18, three masked suspects hit a store in Pico Rivera, fleeing in a silver Hyundai Sonata.
That same day, four suspects—three male and one female—robbed a store in Los Angeles, assaulting the owner with a hammer before fleeing in a silver Lexus.
On Jan. 19, three masked suspects robbed a store in San Diego and on Jan. 20, three suspects armed with pepper spray robbed a San Bernadino store.
Then, on Jan. 21, seven suspects entered a Cerritos jewelry store and ordered sales associate and customers to lie on the floor before they began smashing showcases and clearing out merchandise. They left the scene in two separate vehicles.
The JSA said the final of the eight smash-and-grabs occurred on Jan. 22 at an Artesia store. There are five suspects wanted in that robbery.
The JSA outlined several measures jewelers can take to minimize their risk of robbery and stay safe if it happens.
The alliance recommends hiring armed, off-duty police offers and having entryway buzzers to deter robbers.
Jewelers should spread their high-end merchandise across several showcases to minimize potential losses in smash-and-grabs, and invest in burglary-resistant,
laminated glass and special frames that make them more difficult to break.
Showcase glass breakage alarms also can scare robbers away.
Most importantly, jewelry store owners and employees shouldn’t resist in the event of a robbery as suspects can be armed.
Showcase glass breakage alarms also can scare robbers away.
Most importantly, jewelry store owners and employees shouldn’t resist in the event of a robbery as suspects can be armed.
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
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.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
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.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
