The Queen's Stolen Gems

Jewelry thieves found another celebrity victim this week – this time on the Caribbean Island of Tobago. E! Online reports that Queen Latifah was robbed of nearly $10,000 in jewelry while enjoying a private barbecue brunch thrown by the management of her posh resort on New Year's Eve. The missing loot included two gold rings, a gold chain, some silver jewelry and an expensive bracelet.

Like most vacationing celebs, Latifah checked in to the Stone Haven Villas resort under a pseudonym. She was there to relax with her family-member traveling companion but didn’t get a chance to unwind before the theft occurred. The local authorities believe the crime was an ‘inside job’, as there were no signs of breaking and entering.

There has been no official comment from Latifah, who is due to return to the U.S. sometime today.

"She is still here, I cannot say when she is going to check out,” a Stone Haven staffer told E!.

At least she got off easier than Paris Hilton, who lost over $2 million from her jewelry box a few days before Christmas.

While nothing can replace the emotional value of your jewelry, there are steps you can take to protect your financial investment from the sticky finger brigade that seems to be having a field day in these trying economic times.

Check out this earlier entry about jewelry certificates, appraisals and insurance, and sleep a little better than the Queen at night. Who needs an island vacation when you’ve got peace of mind, right?