DO YOU KNOW YOUR JEWELRY’S MISSING?

I found out that my faceted carved tiger’s eye bead necklace was missing when a person walked into my home wearing my necklace.  

 “Hey” I said, “Isn’t that my necklace?” I squinted for a close examination.

 “No”, she replied sweetly, “My…gave me this… blah, blah, blah!”

Yeah, he in fact did give it to her: After he stole it from my bedroom.

THE JEWEL THIEF YOU KNOW

The necklace was inexpensive. I just liked the unusually and dramatically faceted beads. But now I know who I’m dealing with and who is really coming into my home.

When it comes to jewelry thefts, you may have more to worry about from a crooked individual you invite into your home for business or entertaining purposes than a burglar.

Recent JEWELRY THEFTS IN THE news

• The cable guy stole all of the fine jewelry from an armoire in a Chesterfield, Michigan (Detroit) home.
• A Hilton Head, SC real estate agent is accused of stealing jewelry from numerous homes.
• Paula Deen’s trusted housekeeper stole over $100,000 of Deen’s jewelry in small increments.

RULES TO AVOID JEWELRY  LOSSES

• Keep an wary eye on individuals who always innocently borrow books, cosmetics, tools, etc without asking because they "know" you aren't using the items.  They graduate to fine jewelry!
• Don’t keep lots of earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets on display in your bedroom for your convenience. It’s just too convenient for a visitor to pick-up an item without you missing it.
• Jewelry armoires really grab a thief’s attention.
• Check yourself and stop taking off earrings in rooms where visitors would commonly have access to, like the kitchen, dining room, bathroom and family room.
• Don’t allow guests or workers unaccompanied access throughout your home.
• A home safe or strong box is a sensible investment for expensive gold jewelry or cherished fashion baubles you wear all of the time.
• A bank safety deposit box is a must for diamonds or sentimental jewelry you just don't wear anymore.
• Get a jewelry rider on your homeowners’ insurance policy.
• Keep the jewelry rider updated!

Pat Thomas for Jewelrystash until next time…