A collection of diamonds was stolen at a jewelry show in Basel, Switzerland, valued at around ten million dollars. A team of thieves stole four large diamonds, one of which weighed in at 30 carats. The thieves carried out the diamond theft as such: three of them diverted the attention of jewelry show employees, while in the meantime, two others burglarized the jewelry display and, in all likelihood, left the scene of the crime unnoticed.

A few minutes later, outcries were heard in the jewelry hall upon noticing the diamonds had disappeared. Instantly, the gallery was placed under high security. No one was allowed to leave for half an hour after the robbery and security officials began looking for the missing diamonds.

Officials conducted an widespread search, however they were unable to find neither the diamonds nor the thieves. The quickness of the thieves’ operation prompted speculation that the theft was the work of a highly skilled group of robbers. It is suspected that the thieves must have been planning the operation for some time, considering how quickly and smoothly it was carried out.

An extensive investigation has been initiated to find the perpetrators. The police are reviewing security tapes as well as looking for any other on-site clues they can find.

BASELWORLD is one of the world’s most prominent jewelry and watch shows. Every year, thousands of businesses from all over the world present their most important collections and creations to hundreds of thousands of visitors, exhibitors and journalists. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity for professionals and executives to network with one another.

This isn’t the first time that BASELWORLD has been hit by jewelry thieves.  In 2009, 14 million dollars in jewelry was stolen from the international event, though the robber was quickly apprehended. Two years earlier, in 2007, about a million dollars in jewelry was successfully stolen from the event.

The numerous robberies over the years have brought up the issue of security at these kinds of high-profile jewelry and watch shows. Security at jewelry events is generally considered to be tight, though some are wondering if it is tight enough, as diamond theft seems to be constant concern at jewelry shows.

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