It’s not all about the technology, of course. Jewelers must be more self-aware and vigilant than other business owners or ­retailers.

• Don’t post personal information, such as your travel schedule or home address, on social networks such as Facebook.
• Vary your route to and from work. If you are carrying merchandise, keep a close eye on your rearview mirror and practice what security experts call “evasive driving”—circling the block, making U-turns, or doubling back on your route to ensure you’re not being followed.
• If you have a freestanding store, inspect it for signs of a break-in or an attempted break-in before attempting to enter. You don’t want to confront a potentially dangerous criminal (or destroy possible evidence such as fingerprints).
• Neither you nor your employees should open or close the store alone. A second employee should be present with a cellphone in order to observe at a safe distance. If a thief confronts you, the other person can call 911.
• If confronted, don’t resist, even if the robber doesn’t have a visible weapon. Insurance can cover property loss, but jewelers have lost their lives trying to thwart a robbery attempt.