MajorsDec 20, 2021
David Yurman Sues Mejuri Over Alleged IP TheftIndependentsJan 11, 2022
The Lawsuit Against CD Peacock Has Been Dismissed
The employee who filed suit against the jeweler in February 2021 dismissed her claims shortly thereafter, court papers show.
A former employee who sued C.D. Peacock claiming the jeweler fired employees who blew the whistle on its alleged sale of luxury watches in the gray market voluntarily dismissed her case last year. (Image courtesy of C.D. Peacock’s website)
Chicago—The lawsuit filed last winter against longtime Chicago jeweler C.D. Peacock was voluntarily dismissed just a couple months after it was filed and has not been brought again, court papers show.
In February 2021, former employee Suzana Krajisnik filed suit against C.D. Peacock owner Seymour Holtzman and four employees in federal court in Illinois.
She accused the jeweler of conspiring to sell Rolex and Patek Philippe watches to gray market resellers and firing employees, including Krajisnik in December 2019, who blew the whistle on the alleged scheme.
In the suit, two other former C.D. Peacock employees, fired in June 2020 and January 2021, backed up her claims, alleging they were also fired for notifying management of the situation and refusing to participate.
At the time the lawsuit was filed, a spokesperson for C.D. Peacock called Krajisnik’s claims “baseless” and said she was “terminated for cause.”
“In an industry where demand far exceeds supply for generational timepieces, we value transparency and accountability,” the company said. “We follow all guidelines to preserve our brand partnerships.”
In February 2021, former employee Suzana Krajisnik filed suit against C.D. Peacock owner Seymour Holtzman and four employees in federal court in Illinois.
She accused the jeweler of conspiring to sell Rolex and Patek Philippe watches to gray market resellers and firing employees, including Krajisnik in December 2019, who blew the whistle on the alleged scheme.
In the suit, two other former C.D. Peacock employees, fired in June 2020 and January 2021, backed up her claims, alleging they were also fired for notifying management of the situation and refusing to participate.
At the time the lawsuit was filed, a spokesperson for C.D. Peacock called Krajisnik’s claims “baseless” and said she was “terminated for cause.”
“In an industry where demand far exceeds supply for generational timepieces, we value transparency and accountability,” the company said. “We follow all guidelines to preserve our brand partnerships.”
In April 2021, just about two months after the initial suit was filed, court documents show that Krajisnik dismissed the case without prejudice, which leaves the door open for a potential refiling.
“The company is gratified that the baseless claims were abandoned and are now in the rearview mirror,” a C.D. Peacock spokesperson said about the dismissal.
Krajisnik’s legal team did not respond to repeated requests for comment regarding the nature of the dismissal or if a refiling is being considered.
The case had not been refiled as of press time.
Court documents paint a contentious picture of the proceedings leading up to the dismissal.
After the initial lawsuit filing, C.D. Peacock filed a motion in February to seal certain exhibits submitted by Krajisnik, arguing that they contained confidential information.
The motion was granted and Krajisnik’s team submitted redacted versions, but she then filed a motion for reconsideration in March, which was ultimately not ruled on.
She argued that the jeweler was not trying to protect trade secrets but was looking to “keep its misconduct out of the public view, and, by extension, protect its relationship with suppliers like Rolex, which would be damaged if the illegal scheme were exposed.”
She backed up this claim by noting that C.D. Peacock had tried to keep the matter out of court altogether.
Following her termination, Krajisnik sent an email to Holtzman in December 2019, court documents show, detailing the alleged scheme and stating she believed she was fired for speaking out about it.
The jeweler, now aware of the employees’ accusations, sought to “win the proverbial race to the courthouse,” said the plaintiff’s team, and filed a complaint for declaratory judgment on Aug. 27, 2020 in the circuit court of Cook County in Illinois, asserting that the employees had to arbitrate any claims brought against C.D. Peacock.
The complaint was dismissed without prejudice, in part because C.D. Peacock did not provide copies of the alleged agreements that bound the employees to arbitrate claims, court papers show.
In the federal case, C.D. Peacock’s team asked for additional time, two weeks, to respond to Krajisnik’s motion for reconsideration on the ruling to seal documents, but the plaintiff’s team countered they could give only two days.
The bickering elicited a scolding of the plaintiff’s attorney from U.S. District Court Judge John Z. Lee, who granted the two-week extension.
“The court expects more from the attorneys who practice in the Northern District of Illinois,” he said, adding that attorneys can “zealously represent the interests of their respective clients, while simultaneously extending to one another some basic degree of professional courtesy.”
CD Peacock’s team said in April that Krajisnik’s insistence on reconsideration of the motion to seal exhibits, despite the court’s prior ruling, was “a clear misuse of the judicial process and an improper attempt to increase the expense and contentiousness of this litigation.”
Krajisnik voluntarily dismissed the case later that month.
There have been no changes to C.D. Peacock’s watch distribution, said a spokesperson, and its website still advertises the jeweler as an authorized Rolex and Patek Philippe dealer.
C.D. Peacock was founded in Chicago in 1837, making it one of the city’s oldest retailers, and has three locations in Illinois.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
