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Industry News: JSA Says String Of Violent Robberies May Be Linked; AGS Adds Titleholders; More March 30, 2016 (0 comments)
JSA Alert: Violent SoCal Robberies May Be Connected
New York, NY—The Jewelers Security Alliance has issued a special alert warning that seven violent jewelry store robberies in southern California may be connected and that suspects (one pictured left) still may be at large.
The incidents, which began in January and continued into last week, share many similarities: all seven stores—ranging from independent to chain—were hit for high-end watches, all were smash-and-grabs, and the perpetrators in five of the seven incidents had guns and/or used pepper spray on employees.
The most recent event was March 22 in Malibu, where four male suspects used pepper spray. Previous robberies took place in Canoga Park, Torrance, San Diego, West Hollywood, Thousand Oaks, and Costa Mesa.
Four suspects have been arrested thus far. But JSA president John Kennedy says these gangs can be very large and they typically don’t stop until all members are caught. They also may not be based where the crimes occur; for example, a Detroit-based gang was allegedly responsible for a series of Rolex thefts spanning a territory from New England to Mississippi and Nebraska.
JSA reminds jewelers that if a robbery occurs, do not resist, cooperate fully, and try not to panic. Here are JSA’s lifesaving guidelines for what to do in a robbery:
- Obey the orders of the robber. Do not say or do anything, or even raise your hands, unless told to do so. Cooperate fully and try not to panic.
- Do not attempt to disarm the robber or reach for a concealed weapon. Assume that the robber will shoot without hesitation.
- Never do or say anything that would anger the robber. Example: do not stare at him and have him think that you are trying to memorize his facial characteristics.
- The less time the robbers are in the store, the less risk there is of injury. Once the robbers have your merchandise, they can be expected to leave quickly.
- Do not press a holdup alarm, if your premises has one, until the robbers have left the store and you have locked the door. If the police arrive while the robbers are in the store, or if the robbers return, a deadly hostage situation could develop.
- Expect to be threatened. One of the robber's weapons is the fear he creates. Robbers commonly say: "I'll kill you if you make a move!" This is a typical threat. Expect it. Keep calm.
- Frequently the robber will force the jeweler and his staff to a back room or washroom. Expect to be tied up or handcuffed, or told to lie on the floor. Do as you are told.
- If you are out of the robbers' sight, in a back room or elsewhere, stay where you are. Do not intrude on the crime scene.
- Do not chase the robbers or follow them out of the store.
- Call the police immediately after the robbers leave and you have locked the door. Do not wipe or try to clean the cases or other surfaces, or otherwise disturb the crime scene before the police respond, because you may destroy fingerprints or other valuable evidence. Try to memorize all the locations touched by the robbers so that you can advise the police about possible fingerprint evidence when they arrive.
- Try to keep witnesses present until the police arrive. At the least, obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Do not talk to the media or allow them to film in your premises. Refuse all media interviews.
- It is important to rehearse with all employees what they should do in a robbery. Being prepared may help prevent an employee from panicking and provoking violence.
AGS Certifies 167 New Titleholders; Will Recognize At Conclave
Las Vegas, NV—The American Gem Society (AGS) has certified 167 fully-credentialed new titleholders, who will be announced and recognized at the annual Titleholders’ Luncheon, which will be held April 14 during the upcoming Conclave in Washington, DC. All new titleholders have completed the rigorous certification process to earn their AGS titles, and upon completion of its annual Recertification Exam, AGS welcomes back over 2,100 titleholders and 58 of its milestone titleholders, some of whom have been recertified for over 30 years.
These individuals ensure the highest ethical and professional standards in the jewelry industry, and continue the Society’s vital mission of upholding ethics and consumer confidence in everyday business practices.
“Education is an important first step for so many people in the jewelry industry. It’s often also the stopping point in their professional development,” says Ruth Batson, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “The difference between an academic credential and a professional credential is an important distinction that sets AGS Titleholders apart from their peers. It is the foundation of Robert M. Shipley’s vision: professionalizing the jewelry trade through continuing education, business ethics, and consumer protection.”
Interest in AGS certification and membership is growing, marking an impressive trend toward accountability, professionalism and integrity in the fine jewelry industry, says the organization.
Jewelers Board Of Trade Holds Annual Elections
Warwick, RI—The Jewelers Board of Trade has elected the following officers and directors to its board: chairman, Todd Wolleman of Leo Wolleman, Inc., New York, NY; first vice-chairman, Michael L. Kaplan, Rocket Jewelry Box, Inc., Bronx, NY; second vice-chairman: Ann S. Arnold of Arnold Advisory Group LLC, Norwood, NJ; president: Dione D. Kenyon; secretary: Brenda M. Pimentel; treasurer: Dione D. Kenyon. Richard Katz of Samuel Aaron, Inc., was also appointed to the JBT executive committee.
Newly elected to the Board for two-year terms were Ira Bergman, The Gordon Company, Inc., Pompano Beach, FL; David Bonney, Lux Bond & Green, Inc., West Hartford, CT; and Nilesh Sheth, Forever Collections, Inc., New York, NY. Re-elected to the board for a period of two years were Ann Arnold, Todd Wolleman, Anthony J. Capuano, Edward N. DeCristofaro, Roderick H. Lichtenfels, and Richard Weisenfeld. Board members continuing to serve their existing terms are Jared Ashland, Danielle Ingwer Cohen, Brian D. Fleming, Kevin Green, Michael Kaplan, Richard Katz, Richard LeStage, Avi Raz, and Pinny Rubin.
erving on the advisory board for two years are Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring (Div. of Interjewel USA, Inc.), New York, NY; Richard Greenwood, A. F. Greenwood Co., Inc., New York, NY; and F. Daniel Pharr, Pharr Valuation & Business Svcs. LLC, Richmond, VA.
Jewelers of America Announces Winners of National Retailer Design Competition
New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA) announces the winners of the CASE Awards, its annual national retailer design competition held during the JA New York Spring Show, March 13-15. The CASE Awards recognize JA retail members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design. Winners were selected out of 42 entries in five categories. The winners were determined by a judging panel of industry experts who judged the entries in a specific area of concentration. Voting in the category of Buyers’ Choice was open to all JA New York attendees with a separate ballot.
The 2016 CASE Awards winners are:
Jewelry Up to $2,000 and Buyers Choice, first place, a sterling silver ring (below) featuring an 8.70 carat oval blue chalcedony cabochon with 10 lavender round cut sapphires (0.61 ctw), designed by Lisa Perantoni of Khamis Fine Jewelers, Indianapolis, IN.
Jewelry $2,001 to $5,000, first place, a 14k white and rose gold and 18k yellow gold pendant (above) featuring a 3.73 carat orange sapphire surrounded by graduated color orange to yellow melee sapphires, designed by Jason Baskin of The Gem Vault, Flemington, NJ
Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000, first place, a 9.26 carat opal ring (below left) surrounded by 36 tsavorites (0.38 ctw) set in 18k yellow gold, designed by Ricardo Basta of Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry, Los Angeles, CA.
Jewelry $10,000 & Over, first place, a hand-fabricated 14k rose gold ring (above right) featuring a 2.52 carat rose cut pear center stone surrounded by round cut diamonds (1.45 ctw) and round black diamonds (0.34 ctw), designed by Jess Roussel of Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Gramercy, LA.
The 2016 CASE Awards were sponsored by Synchrony Financial and Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. CASE Award winners receive a trophy from JA. The competition is open only to JA retail members and their employees. For more information and to view the Winner’s Photo Gallery, visit www.jewelers.org/caseawards or contact Jewelers of America’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673.
CIBJO Revamps Website
Milan, Italy—CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has launched a new main website, www.cibjo.org, which represents a technological upgrade providing users with more information about the organization and the jewelry sector, as well as improved functionality.
The launch of the website is the first stage of a three-part upgrade of CIBJO's online presence. It will be followed by a members-only module to provide online services for members of the organization and its various commissions, and then by the release of a CIBJO mobile app.
The newly launched website will serve as a platform for CIBJO to deliver tools and services, including Blue Books of industry standards and nomenclature. For non-CIBJO members, certain of these are available at a nominal fee, payable via the website.
MJSA Expo Attendance Jumps 25 Percent
New York, NY—The MJSA Expo show saw an attendance increase of nearly 25% over the 2015 show, the organization reports. The show this year moved to the Javits Center and ran simultaneously with the JA New York and Lueur spring shows, March 13-15. Sponsored by MJSA, Expo featured vendors of bench tools, components, and contract services to the latest design and manufacturing technologies for jewelry manufacturers and designers. The event also offered a broad range of seminars, covering everything from traditional skills to the future of design and manufacturing.
Exhibitors praised the move; Stuller said they wrote 60% more business this year than last year. MJSA Expo will return to the Javits Center's River Pavilion March 12-14, 2017. For more information, visit MJSAExpo.org or call (800) 444-MJSA (6572).