Organized gangs of jewelry thieves known as “bling rings” are continuing to target sellers of jewelry in areas outside of the tradition store, according to industry officials.

In 2007, $39.5 million in times were stolen in off-premise robberies.

From the Globe and Mail:

For years the FBI has been tracking so-called “bling rings” of international jewel thieves responsible for targeting salespeople who travel the United States displaying merchandise at trade shows or stores.

Organized gangs, hailing primarily from South America, have flooded illegally into the U.S. to conduct surveillance on jewellery merchants and even sabotage their vehicles to pull off brazen heists. Now the gangs are spilling into Canada, according to experts.

And a Vancouver gemologist, who had more than $200,000 in emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones stolen from the trunk of her car 30 seconds after she parked it in Calgary this month, may be the latest victim of organized crime.