There is never a good time to be robbed. And being robbed in the middle of an unprecedented financial crisis just makes rough times even rougher.
While security should always be at the top of the priority list of any diamond or jewelry company, cutting losses and preventing further financial damage should take precedence during these times of crisis.

But despite dealers' clear interest in protecting their human and financial assets, the diamond and jewelry industry has seen a recent rise in robberies and other crimes involving diamonds and jewels. A recent report by the Jewelers' Security Alliance (JSA) indicated that 2008 was a good year for diamond criminals and a bad year for the industry, especially through crimes targeting traveling sales agents. In the United States, the JSA recently issued a security warning for sales agents who travel to Texas and Oklahoma in light of a recent wave of robberies in these states, including the armed robbery of two Israeli agents.The recent event occurred when the two stopped at a gas station on their way to the Oklahoma City airport after visiting stores in Tulsa and Norman, Okla. While only one of the salespersons was in the vehicle, a car blocked their vehicle and two suspects with guns jumped out. They smashed a rear window and drove off with two cases full of diamonds.

Earlier this month, Dallas police said a local salesman was stabbed and robbed of his diamonds, estimated at $300,000. Police reported that the man was robbed while he was in his car. The suspect apparently blocked the car's path, slashed its tires, smashed the window, and snatched the briefcase with the goods. Local residents found the salesman bleeding from his hand and in a state of shock. 

The JSA said in its warning that the recent wave of robberies included the fleecing of seven traveling sales agents in the Dallas and Oklahoma City areas. The two cities are only 350 kilometers apart and the JSA said that robbers, describes as "South American gang members" targeted jewelry merchants and agents alternately in both cities. The Dallas area robberies alone are estimated at $5 million dollars.

On its website, the JSA issued recommendation to traveling sales agents on how to minimize their risk while on the road. This includes avoiding sitting in a parked car for prolonged periods, and engaging in evasive driving techniques before and after each sales call, and before returning to one’s hotel
Recently, IDI's head of security, Shmuel Maor, also issued a warning to Israeli diamond dealers asking them to take extra precautions when traveling to the Texas and Oklahoma areas.

Since there really is no good time to be robbed, maybe the financial crisis is actually the best time for the diamond industry tighten security and take extra measures in order to protect both its people and its precious stones.

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In times of economic uncertainty, consumer confidence takes a blow, while customers look for new ways to stretch their dwindling budgets.  More and more consumers are turning to the Internet to shop for the best deals on diamonds and jewelry.  

E-commerce Swings from Business to Personal Transactions 

In the past, business transactions were the predominate form of commerce on the Internet, but the growing demand among end consumers is creating a broader market for retail sales.  Today's financial climate has pushed the Internet into the forefront as an invaluable tool for buyers looking for better bargains.  When shopping for luxury items, consumers have realized that the Internet is their best tool for researching the market before making expensive purchases. 

Researching the Diamond and Jewelry Markets 

Shopping around for the best deal is a major incentive for going online to compare prices. There's no need to go to malls and shopping centers, the Internet shopper can get all the information he needs right on his PC.  Often times this means eliminating the middleman and buying directly from the manufacturer which will definitely affect the price the consumer pays for goods.  

Retailers and distributors have adjusted to the changes and developments of today's   Internet market and websites provide products from just about every imaginable area of consumer goods.  The consumer can take advantage of the competition between companies and make well informed decisions after doing some research and comparing prices.   

Sales of large appliances, televisions, computers and travel are the leading items purchased on the Internet, but there is a burgeoning interest in diamonds and jewelry.  The Google search engine reports that there has been a 15% rise in searches for the term "diamond exchange" during the last quarter in comparison to the same period of the previous year.

Young Consumers Are Looking for Diamond Engagement Rings 

Evidence shows that diamond engagement rings are a main area of interest for shoppers comparing prices and making purchases directly from the manufacturers.

The average profile for Internet consumers coincides with that of the engagement ring buyer:  young adults well versed in the Internet and with a limited budget. 

Therefore, his first step is to do some Internet research and examine his alternatives before finding the best value for his money.  The Internet provides all the necessary information for making a decision, even in unfamiliar territory.  The potential buyer can learn about online diamond sales by visiting a diamond education center at http://www.diamondseducation.net/ 

Now that the consumer has done his homework, he can consider his options for direct purchasing from the manufacturer:  he can buy the item online, place a phone order or order by e-mail, or even visit the manufacturer's offices at the Ramat Gan Diamond Complex.  In this manner he can be sure of substantial savings when he purchases diamonds and jewelry. 

Avi Rogel, of Rogel Diamonds describes the advantages that young people will find when they purchase a diamond ring directly from the manufacturer.  "The greatest advantage when the customer comes to our premises is of course the price.  In some cases he would probably see the exact same ring in a store for double the price.  In addition, when one purchases items from the manufacturer there is greater flexibility:  The setting can be matched to a chosen diamond, thereby building a ring that is custom-made according to the customers' taste as well as his budget.  In some cases, customers request special designs which we gladly provide." 

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Rogel Diamonds manufactures and exports gold and diamond jewelry, specializing in engagement rings.  Please visit their website at:  www.RogelDiamonds.co.il

or contact them by e-mail at:   Shlomit.rogel@gmail.com