The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America

Six Steps to Prevent Smash, Grab & Run Crime at Your Store

When your jewelry business is closed, it is still a target to criminals. Losses from smash-grab-and-run crimes account for a large portion of claims submitted to Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and seem to be on the rise. Jewelers Mutual recommends the following key precautions to decrease your risks.

Alarms are Not Enough
When you have a properly installed, working alarm system, you can decrease your risk of burglaries. Unfortunately, your alarm system will not deter a smash-grab-and-run burglar. Even inexperienced criminals can smash windows and take merchandise displayed in showcases in just a couple of minutes, long before police can respond to an alarm.

The best way to prevent a smash-grab-and-run crime is to store as much merchandise as possible in safes or vaults and protect glass doors and windows with physical barriers.

Follow these six key steps to avoid smash-grab-and-run crime:

Jewelry News Roundup for April

In case you missed it, our jewelry news roundup of top jewelry stories to hit the newscycle recently:

• Heiress Huguette M. Clark's auction took place April 17 at Christie's, setting records with the Clark Pink,  a 9 ct. cushion-cut, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond that received $15.7 million. It's no wonder Christie's named it the "a fairy tale collection,” it's value is only surpassed by Elizabeth Taylor's private collection. (National Jeweler)

• Curious about how to improve your products' sparkle? JCK Magazine "spotlights" LED lighting in its April issue. (JCK)

• A new report from Thomas Reuters GFMS projects that the price of gold isn't going anywhere -- but up -- in 2012. (JCK Online)

• Our friends at Responsible Jewellery Council published their 2012 Annual Report on Monday, which profiles profiles the first year of its comprehensive member certification system. (IDEX Online)
• And for those living under a rock: Brad Pitt finally presented a really big rock to Angelina Jolie. The $250,000 engagement ring, designed by Pitt and jeweler Robert Procop, is sure to set bridal trends. (Daily Mail UK)

Jewelry Trend: The Swinging Sensations of Tassel Jewelry

Tassel jewelry is sure to top the jewelry trend chart this spring. Feminine and flirty, tassel jewelry has mesmerizing movements that garner attention and become an outfit’s instant focal point. The tassel trend works well with earrings, necklaces and even bracelets -- and easily updates your merchandise selection and your customers' jewelry wardrobes.

Get more details on the styles pictured below at our Jewelry Trend Report page.

De Beers Class Action Settlement May Face Further Delays

UPDATE 4/5/2012:

There have been two petitions for certiorari filed. On April 2, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari that was filed by members of the indirect purchaser class. According to the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the denial of this petition means that the previous decision of the “en banc” Third Circuit Court of Appeals denying the class members’ attacks on the settlement will be reinstated.

However, the second petition for certiorari is still under consideration. Payment of claims will be delayed until the Supreme Court acts on this second petition.

Jewelers of America continues to follow the developments on the settlement closely, and will update our blog with any future developments.

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Jewelry News Roundup for March

In case you missed it, our jewelry news roundup of five top jewelry stories to hit the newscycle recently:

• The beginning of the month saw Warren Buffet referring to gold as a another bubble that will "inevitably pop" in his report to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. (JCK)
  
  
• Platinum price has topped gold for the first time in six months. (JCK)
  
  
• Reports from BaselWorld, which closed last Thursday, showed attendance up and enthusiasm on both sides of the aisles at the world's largest fine jewelry and watch show. Time magazine's slideshow displays Baselworld's top "Eye Candy;" JCK's Jennifer Heebner reveals the design trends she spotted at the show. (Time, JCK)
  
  
• An upcoming Christie's auction of Heiress Huguette M. Clark's "fairytale" jewelry collection on April 17th has excited the trade and consumer press. (National Jeweler, People.com)
  
  
• New Luxury Institute Report shows no correlation between strong social media presence and increased sales & profits (...yet!) (IDEX)