‘No one seems to wear their bling’: Is it safe to show off your expensive jewelry?

The column reports that rising high-profile thefts and “snatch-and-grab” crimes are denting demand for visible luxury jewelry, prompting consumers to conceal or avoid wearing pieces in public. Retail crime stats and viral videos are raising security concerns, and insurers and police warn of scams targeting older adults. The trend is already weighing on retailers: Signet Jewelers posted Q1 profit of $31.7 million (down from $33.5 million a year earlier), while industry research shows a 3.6% compound annual revenue decline over five years and a projected market size of $60.3 billion in 2026. Market impact: reduced foot-traffic sales and softer in-store volumes could pressure jewelry retailers’ earnings and, over time, curb physical demand for metals used in jewelry.