MajorsMar 24, 2021
The Tiffany v. Costco Battle Wages On MajorsJul 21, 2021
Tiffany, Costco Settle Long-Standing Lawsuit
The contentious battle over the term “Tiffany Setting” has come to a close via a settlement.
Tiffany & Co. reached a settlement agreement with Costco following a years-long trademark infringement lawsuit. (Image courtesy of Tiffany & Co.)
New York—The contentious, 8-year-long legal battle between Tiffany & Co. and Costco Wholesale Corp. has come to an anticlimactic end.
The companies have reached a settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, and the case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning Tiffany cannot sue Costco again on the same grounds.
In a statement to National Jeweler, a lawyer representing Costco said the parties have “amicably resolved their dispute.”
Tiffany declined to comment.
The saga began Valentine’s Day of 2013 when Tiffany took Costco to court, suing the big-box retailer in New York federal court for trademark infringement, counterfeiting and unfair business practices for selling “Tiffany” rings that were not made by Tiffany.
An estimated 3,349 customers bought “Tiffany” rings at Costco during the period covered by the lawsuit, according to court documents.
Related stories will be right here …
The companies have reached a settlement, the terms of which have not been disclosed, and the case has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning Tiffany cannot sue Costco again on the same grounds.
In a statement to National Jeweler, a lawyer representing Costco said the parties have “amicably resolved their dispute.”
Tiffany declined to comment.
The saga began Valentine’s Day of 2013 when Tiffany took Costco to court, suing the big-box retailer in New York federal court for trademark infringement, counterfeiting and unfair business practices for selling “Tiffany” rings that were not made by Tiffany.
An estimated 3,349 customers bought “Tiffany” rings at Costco during the period covered by the lawsuit, according to court documents.
In a countersuit, Costco said the term “Tiffany” setting had become genericized and could be used by any company to mean a ring with multiple, slender prongs holding a single stone.
In 2015, a federal judge ruled in Tiffany’s favor and granted the jeweler’s motion for summary judgment (a judgment entered by the court without a full trial) in the case.
A jury ordered Costco to pay Tiffany $5.5 million for unlawful profits, including $3.7 million in direct profits and $1.8 million in additional benefits from the ring sales, and $8.25 million in punitive damages.
The judge trebled the $3.7 million to $11 million, for grand total of $21 million Costco was to pay Tiffany.
In August 2020, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the summary judgment on appeal from Costco.
A unanimous ruling found that if a jury had heard the case, jurors likely wouldn’t be confused by Costco’s use of the word “Tiffany” or believe the rings were made or endorsed by Tiffany & Co.
The appeals court sent the case back down to the district court to hash out the issues of punitive damages and a jury.
The case dragged on, with Costco filing a motion to prevent a jury trial and stop Tiffany from seeking punitive damages, which Tiffany disputed based on prior court rulings.
An in-person trial was possible for July, but a settlement remained on the table, as per court documents. The companies had discussed one prior to going to trial in 2016.
Tiffany v. Costco was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
