Protecting our Treasures
Whether it’s a family heirloom, a symbol of love such as an engagement or wedding ring, or a sparkling eternity ring bought for a milestone, jewellery pieces are more than just beautiful – they typically hold deep sentimental value.
And, sadly, our precious pieces are also magnets for crime, with thieves constantly finding new ways to target eternity rings, diamond rings, and other valuable items.
In this article, we explore some of the most shocking jewellery thefts and scams in recent years - and highlight steps you can take to protect your treasured items.
The Hatton Garden Heist – even vaults aren’t fool proof
In one of the UK's most notorious recent crimes, a group of elderly “gentlemen” career criminals broke into a vault in London’s Hatton Garden district over the 2015 Easter weekend. Using tools to drill through a concrete wall, the gang accessed safe deposit boxes and stole an estimated £14m in cash, jewellery, and other valuables.
Knightsbridge smash-and-grab – a luxury watch raid
At around 9.30am on 27th November 2015, a moped gang stormed into luxury London store, Watches of Switzerland, smashing display cases and escaping with high-end timepieces worth an estimated £40,000 – and all in a matter of minutes.
This highlights just how quickly - and unexpectedly - theft can occur.
£10m in jewels stolen from Primrose Hill home
In December 2024, a daring jewellery heist rocked London’s upscale Primrose Hill. Thieves made off with an estimated £10m worth of luxury items from the home of a well-known socialite and influencer.
Among the stolen pieces were a rare 10.73-carat Graff diamond ring and several delicate butterfly diamond rings from De Beers - part of a carefully curated, high-end collection. The burglary happened during daytime hours (between 5:00 and 5:30PM) while the homeowners were out.
Despite top-tier security systems, the thief managed to gain access through a second-floor window, taking full advantage of the property's temporary vacancy.
Conwoman who posed as gem expert stole £4.2m in diamonds
A female fraudster posing as a gem appraiser orchestrated a £4.2m diamond theft during a high-profile con at luxury jeweller Boodles in London’s Mayfair in March 2016.
The conwoman - who claimed to be acting on behalf of affluent Russian clients - arrived at the boutique to inspect several high-value diamonds.
Under the guise of verifying them for a potential purchase, she was left alone momentarily – this was long enough for her to swap the real stones for fakes using sleight-of-hand techniques. The deception wasn’t discovered until the following day, by which time she had already left the country.
Airport luggage sting – £3k diamond ring disappears in transit
A London Heathrow Airport baggage handler was caught stealing from passengers’ checked luggage, including a diamond ring valued at nearly £3,000. The incident is a stark reminder of how easily valuable jewellery can vanish when out of sight and a reminder that you should never place your jewellery into the hold of a plane. You may find that insurance will not cover this event if it happens.
Online overpayment scam – when too much is a red flag
A growing number of fraudsters are exploiting jewellery sellers through an overpayment ruse.
The scammer poses as a buyer, sends a payment for the jewellery that exceeds the agreed price, then claims the excess was a mistake and requests a refund.
By the time the seller discovers the original payment was fraudulent or bounced, both the jewellery and the refund have vanished.
Even celebrities aren’t immune – Kim Kardashian in Paris, France
In October 2016, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in her Paris hotel room. The thieves stole around £7.5m in jewellery, including a stunning diamond ring, after gaining access by impersonating police officers.
What can you do to stay protected?
Here are some practical tips to help reduce your risk and ensure your jewellery is secure…
General jewellery safety tips
- Insure your items. Assetsure specialise in insurance for diamond rings and jewellery insurance.
- Get an up-to-date valuation. Your jewellery should be appraised and insured so you know the true worth of your pieces.
- Secure storage. Use safes, vaults, and secure display cases at home or in commercial settings. Pay attention to any special requirements of your insurance policy, and if in doubt, ask your insurer for clarification.
- If your valuables are stored in a safety deposit box or similar, check that the bank has appropriate safety deposit box insurance and of any limits imposed. If they don’t, please get in touch with us at Assetsure to find out more about our flexible, standalone safety deposit box cover.
- Travel smart. Always carry valuables in hand luggage.
- Be discreet 1 – Think twice before sharing photos of your engagement ring or travel plans on social media.
- Be discreet 2 - Never assume public areas are safe.
- Even state-of-the-art home security systems may have blind spots, so regular security assessments, services and updates are essential.
- Homeowners should vary their routines and ensure their properties appear occupied, especially during absences.
If selling your jewellery
- When selling a piece of your jewellery, never leave it unattended during appointments. And always double-check credentials, no matter how professional or convincing someone may seem.
- Selling rings or engagement rings online can expose sellers to sophisticated fraud, so always use a trusted online platform.
- It’s essential to verify that funds have cleared fully before dispatching any goods.
- Be wary of buyers who complicate transactions or pressure for quick action.
Whether you own a sparkling engagement ring, a priceless diamond ring, or a cherished piece of jewellery, protecting these items goes beyond sentiment - it’s about smart risk management.
Infamous thefts like the Hatton Garden heist or the Kim Kardashian robbery might seem worlds away, but they hold critical lessons for us all. With the right precautions - and comprehensive jewellery insurance - you can enjoy your precious items without fear of loss.
Our blog: Safeguarding your jewellery has some more recommendations on keeping your valuables safe.
Looking for jewellery insurance?
Click here to learn more about specialised insurance for rings, watches and other valuable pieces - or call us on 0208 0033 190 for a no-obligation jewellery insurance quote.
