While Hollywood has turned jewelry and art heists into action-packed blockbusters, we can all agree that we’d never want to be on the receiving end of theft or burglary.
It can leave a homeowner emotionally traumatized and financially bereft, especially if the jewelry stolen is a sentimental piece. For businesses, theft can cost jewelry stores and jewelers millions of dollars each year.
Here’s what you need to know about jewelry and gem theft trends nationwide, including the states with the most cases — as well as a few tips on how to keep yourself protected, including at-home safes and insurance that can cover you when the worst happens.
What You Will Learn
- What Are the US States with the Most Jewelry Theft?
- Top States for Jewelry Store Theft
- Top States for Jewelry Burglaries
- Top States for Off-Premise Robberies
- Notable California Jewelry Thefts
- How Do You Protect Yourself from Jewelry Theft?
- Jewelry Theft FAQs
- Protect Your Jewelry Collection from Theft with BriteCo Jewelry Insurance
What Are the US States with the Most Jewelry Theft?
Each year, the Jewelers Security Alliance produces a jewelry crime statistics report that goes into quite a lot of detail regarding cases of theft throughout the country during the previous year.
In 2024, the Alliance found that US jewelry firms lost $142.5 million due to jewelry theft, a 7% increase over reported losses in 2023. However, despite the increase in dollars lost, the total number of crimes was actually down year over year by 12.4% — from 1,621 reported crimes in 2023 to 1,420 reported crimes in 2024.
Top States for Jewelry Store Theft
By and large, most of the country’s jewelry store robberies took place in just four states. The areas with the highest percentages of on-premise robberies in 2024 were:
Another interesting finding: Most theft occurred in January, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. And Thursdays were the most popular day for a robbery. In better news, the percentage of cases in which the perpetrator displayed a gun decreased year over year.
Top States for Jewelry Burglaries
Burglaries are defined differently from robberies; they are cases where a criminal knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime, while robberies are defined as a person taking property by use of force, fear, or when armed with a weapon.
When looking specifically at burglaries, similar states lead the pack, with a few extras added to the list. In 2024, the greatest number of jewelry burglaries took place in:
- California (15.4%)
- New York (8.2%)
- Texas (7.9%)
- Florida (5.6%)
- Illinois (5.6%)
- New Jersey (4.9%)
Top States for Off-Premise Robberies
When you look at off-premise robberies, including thefts that might occur while a jeweler is at a jewelry show, traveling, or even at their own home, the states with the most losses include:
- California (23.4%)
- Nevada (14.9%)
- New York (10.6%)
Are you noticing a pattern here? By and large, the US state with the most jewelry theft, no matter how you define it, is California.
Notable California Jewelry Thefts
It’s not just small-time burglaries that are making up California’s large share of overall jewelry thefts in the United States. The state has recently made headlines for some pretty massive jewelry thefts — some of them even historic.
The Largest US Jewelry Heist Ever
In June 2025, seven Southern California men were charged in what is being considered the largest jewelry heist ever in the United States. According to charges, the men stole gold, precious gemstones, and luxury watches adding up to a whopping $100 million in value.
The heist took place in 2022, after the men followed a semi-truck carrying the precious cargo, and then entered the truck and took its contents. The same year, it was suspected that the seven individuals also stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in electronics.
A Million-Dollar Jewelry Store Burglary
Another recent burglary, which occurred in June 2025, is far from a $100 million valuation, but stealing $1.5 million in diamonds and gold is no small potatoes.
This burglary took place in El Monte, California, when the criminals cut through a jewelry store roof to gain access, and then used power tools to open safes and take the desired products. The perpetrators are believed to be professionals, as they were careful to cover their tracks in the process, taking the store’s security alarms and cutting all access to the store’s internet and security cameras.
How Do You Protect Yourself from Jewelry Theft?
While it’s far more likely that a jewelry store is going to experience a devastating theft, homeowners need to be aware of the risk, too.
According to Bankrate, jewelry, precious metals, and gemstones are still some of the top 10 most common items that burglars take from private residences (alongside wallets/cash, high-end clothing, prescription drugs, car parts, electronics, firearms, personal documents, and power tools).
So how can you protect yourself from the unthinkable? You can invest in a safe, keep your jewelry in hidden spots, and invest in jewelry insurance.
Don’t Keep Your Jewelry in the Obvious Spots
An NBC New York poll completed by convicted burglars showed that 75% of criminals check your bedroom first to find valuable items to steal. The next place they look is any office, followed by the living room, and then the bathroom. Other experts told Reader’s Digest that additional popular spots include under your mattress, in your closet, and your dresser.
Don’t Leave Your Jewelry Out in the Open
Even if you don’t want to exactly hide your jewelry when you’re not wearing it, don’t just leave it sitting out in the open, on a dresser, or on a vanity. While it’s convenient, this leaves your jewelry at risk for far more than just theft. It also exposes it to potential loss or damage.
Invest in a Safe
Ideally, you’d invest in a safe for your precious jewelry, particularly one that’s not portable. (If it’s portable, a thief could simply pick it up and run with it.) If you need ideas for the best jewelry safe to buy, check out our top jewelry safe recommendations.
Get Jewelry Insurance to Cover the Gaps
Even with common safeguards, though, your jewelry could still be at risk. One foolproof preventative measure is investing in jewelry insurance that will cover the full cost of replacing stolen jewelry, and additionally protect your valuables in case of damage, loss, or simply misplacing it. The best option is specialized jewelry insurance policies like BriteCo offers, which have better payouts and zero deductibles as compared to homeowners or renters insurance.
Jewelry Theft FAQs
What Is the Biggest Jewelry Theft in Us History?
The biggest jewelry heist in US history took place in 2022 when seven men took about $100 million worth of jewelry from an armored truck in California. It’s also the state that experiences the most jewelry theft overall.
Does a Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Jewelry Theft?
Yes, your homeowners insurance policy will cover you in the event of a jewelry theft, but only to a small degree. Most policies have a limit and will only pay out a few thousand dollars. As such, if a piece of jewelry is stolen from your home and can’t be recovered, you’ll have to pay the majority of the cost to replace it. This is just one of the many ways a homeowners insurance policy falls short of a specialized jewelry insurance policy.
How Much Does Jewelry Insurance for Theft Cost?
You can expect to pay about 1-2% of your jewelry’s total value, per year, for a comprehensive specialized jewelry insurance policy.
Where Do Jewelry Thieves Take Stolen Jewelry?
Most jewelry thieves either sell the stolen jewelry themselves, or they take it to someone known as a “fence,” an individual who works in selling stolen goods.
Am I at Risk for Jewelry Theft?
Anyone who owns a precious piece of jewelry is at risk for jewelry theft — which is why an affordable and convenient jewelry insurance policy is always a good idea!
Protect Your Jewelry Collection from Theft with BriteCo Jewelry Insurance
While you may not be susceptible to a major jewelry theft like a jeweler, there still is a risk if you own any valuable pieces. Protect your collection with BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage that pays up to 125% of the value in case the worst happens. Plus, plans cover your jewelry worldwide, so you’re protected while traveling, too. Get your free jewelry insurance quote from BriteCo now!
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