Why a TL-Rated Safe Matters More Than Ever

If you own a jewelry store, work in the jewelry industry, or are a high-net-worth individual with expensive watches and jewelry at home, protecting those valuables has never been more important. Crime trends across the United States show that sophisticated burglary crews are becoming bolder, faster, and better equipped. At the same time, wealthy individuals — especially celebrities, athletes, and business leaders — are being directly targeted inside their homes.

Because of these growing threats, a TL-rated safe or a TRTL-rated safe (a high-security safe tested against expert tool attacks) is no longer a luxury item. It’s a necessity.

In this article, we’ll break down why TL-rated safes are so important today, what current crime patterns reveal, and how these safes help protect the assets you’ve worked so hard to build. This includes:

• The Rise of Sophisticated Jewelry Crime

• High-Net-Worth Individuals Are Also Being Targeted

• Why TL-Rated Safes Are Needed Now

• Why a TL-Rated Safe May Not Be Enough — And When You Need a TRTL Safe

• What This Means for Jewelry Stores

• What This Means for High-Net-Worth Individuals

• The Bottom Line: Crime Is Changing—Your Protection Should Too

The Rise of Sophisticated Jewelry Crime

The 2024 Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) Annual Crime Report shows a worrying trend: while the number of jewelry crimes slightly decreased, the severity and dollar losses increased dramatically. In 2024, total losses totaled $142.5 million, a 7% increase from 2023, even with fewer total incidents.

Why? Because the burglars hitting jewelry stores today are not simple smash-and-grab thieves. They are highly organized, well-trained crews who understand alarm systems, safe construction practices, and how to break into buildings undetected.

Some key findings:

1. Burglary Losses More Than Doubled

Burglaries caused $80.7 million in losses, compared to $38.8 million the year before—an enormous 108% increase.

These weren’t small-time hits. Many were large, planned attacks on high-end stores.

2. Professional Burglary Crews are Using Advanced Tools

JSA reports that criminals are entering stores by cutting through:

• Roofs

• Exterior walls

• Common walls shared with empty neighboring businesses

They often disable power, tamper with alarm systems, and use devices like Wi-Fi jammers to block alarm signals. Some groups place GPS trackers on jewelers’ cars to follow them home.

3. Safe Attacks are Increasing — and Extremely Costly

In 2024, 31 safe or vault attacks were reported. Five of those had losses over $1 million each. The average safe-attack burglary resulted in $1.6 million in losses.

Most of these losses occurred because criminals physically breached safes that weren’t designed to withstand professional tools. This is where TL-rated safes become essential.

High-Net-Worth Individuals Are Also Being Targeted

It isn’t just jewelry stores that face this threat. High-profile individuals are increasingly being targeted inside their own homes.

Athletes’ Homes are Being Hit Across the Country

A NYT Athletic article reported in February 2025 that professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB have been experiencing a sharp rise in home burglaries. Thieves specifically target:

• Jewelry

• Luxury watches

• Cash

• Designer handbags

• High-value collectibles

Some athletes have experienced break-ins while they were away for games. Others were robbed while their families slept.

A focused crime wave in Seattle underscores the danger

A second NYT Athletic article (Oct 2025) highlights a crime spree in Seattle where Seahawks and Mariners players were repeatedly targeted. Criminals studied their game schedules, monitored social media, and tracked when players were traveling.

In several cases:

• Windows were cut open surgically — no shattered glass.

• Security cameras were avoided or disabled.

• High-value watches and jewelry were the main targets.

This level of planning is the same type of sophistication seen in jewelry store burglaries.

And that means: if you own high-value jewelry at home, criminals may be watching.

Why TL-Rated Safes Are Needed Now

A TL-rated safe is designed to withstand concentrated attacks from experts using burglary tools. “TL” stands for Tool-Resistant. The TL rating is awarded by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a third-party testing agency that’s recognized worldwide for its stringent standards. TL-rated safes are tested by professional safe crackers using:

• Power saws

• Drills

• Sledgehammers

• Pry bars

• Cutting wheels

• Carbide tools

• And more

The “TL” number refers to the amount of time the safe can withstand a professional tool attack on its door or all sides.

• TL-15 Safe - 15 minutes of resistance on the door

• TL-30 Safe - 30 minutes of resistance on the door

• TL-30x6 Safe - 30 minutes of resistance on all six sides of the safe

This ‘time’ can be deceiving because the timer only runs while the professionals are actively working on the safe. If they pause during the test, the timer pauses as well. In reality, a 15-minute test could take several hours.

When burglars are breaking through roofs, bypassing alarms, and attacking safes directly with heavy tools, a simple residential safe — or even many commercial ones — is not enough.

Here’s why TL-rated safes stand out:

1. They are Built for Real Attacks

Unlike consumer safes made of thin steel, TL-rated safes use:

• Multi-layered steel

• Composite concrete fill

• Hard plates

• Anti-drill barriers

• Glass relockers (triggered when tampered with)

This makes them extremely difficult, loud, and time-consuming to breach.

2. They Buy You the Time You Need

Criminals want speed. They want to get in and out before the police arrive. A TL-rated safe forces them to work longer—and in most cases, they give up.

3. They’re Insurance-Approved

Most insurers require a TL-rated safe once you're storing:

• High-value diamonds

• Large watch collections

• Precious metals

• Over $100,000 in inventory

And with safe attacks averaging $1.6 million in losses in 2024, insurers are tightening standards.

4. They Protect Against Both Smash-and-Grab Crews and Expert Burglars

Three-Minute Burglaries (B3Ms)—where criminals smash their way through a storefront—are still common and result in losses averaging $50,000 per incident. But the real threat comes from organized crews who have the time and tools to attack a safe’s structure.

TL-rated safes are the only safes designed for that level of force.

Why a TL-Rated Safe May Not Be Enough — And When You Need a TRTL Safe

The 2024 JSA Crime Report shows that the most dangerous burglaries are carried out by highly organized, well-equipped crews capable of cutting through roofs, bypassing alarms, and attacking safes using advanced tools — including torches. Additionally, attacks aren’t limited to focusing on the safe’s door.

A TRTL safe is designed to resist not only tool attacks, but also torch attacks — on all six sides of the safe. There’s even one step up from a TRTL safe — the TXTL, which can also withstand attacks with explosives.

• TRTL-30x6 — Can withstand a 30-minute torch and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.

• TRTL-60x6 — Can withstand a 60-minute torch and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.

• TXTL-60x6 — Can withstand a 60-minute explosive, torch, and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.

This level of protection is essential when crews have both time and planning — precisely the kind of criminals described in the 2024 JSA report. In fact, the JSA notes explicitly the presence of professional South American theft groups using advanced tools, cutting equipment, and technology such as cellular jammers, alarm-bypass techniques, and power cuts to disable security systems before attacking safes.

A standard TL-rated safe cannot defend against both tool and torch attacks at this level.

What This Means for Jewelry Stores

If you operate a jewelry store, the 2024 JSA data makes it clear:

• Burglars are entering stores through roofs, walls, and shared spaces.

• They are using technology to cut alarm communication.

• Safe attacks are becoming more common, targeted, and costly.

• The most serious burglaries are now carried out by international organized groups with training and resources.

A TL-rated safe acts as your last line of defense when every other system—cameras, alarms, gates, and locks—has been bypassed.

It also sends a message: “This is not an easy target.”

What This Means for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Criminals today study social media, online purchases, tax filings, and even red-carpet photos to determine who owns luxury jewelry and watches.

Professional athletes aren’t the only ones being targeted. Jewelry theft rings have gone after:

• Tech executives

• Crypto investors

• Business owners

• Influencers

• Luxury watch collectors

Many of these thieves strike when they know you're away, especially during:

• Vacations

• Business travel

• Public events

• Sporting events

• Charity galas

A TL-rated safe protects you from the worst-case scenario: A criminal breaking into your home, knowing exactly what they’re looking for, and having the skills and tools to get it.

The Bottom Line: Crime Is Changing—Your Protection Should Too

Today’s criminals are faster, smarter, and more prepared than ever before. A TL-rated safe gives you the protection level that matches the threat.

Whether you're a jeweler protecting your livelihood or an individual protecting your private collection, investing in a TL-rated safe is one of the smartest ways to secure your most valuable assets.