SourcingJul 02, 2026
London Diamond Bourse Elects First Female PresidentCharlotte Rose said her election is “a sign that this is an industry capable of change.”
IndependentsAug 16, 2016
After Yelp posting comes down, jeweler drops case
Retailer George Pelz has dropped the libel lawsuit he filed against one Yelp user after he got what he wanted--the poster’s untrue review of his store removed from the website.
Boston--Jeweler George Pelz said he has dropped the libel lawsuit he filed against one Yelp user after he got what he wanted--the poster’s untrue review of his store removed and his store’s reputation restored on the website.
Pelz, who owns Pageo Jewelers with his sister Pam Lerner, had been battling Yelp and a reviewer who identified themselves as Linda G. from Boulder, Colo. since February, when Linda G. posted a one-star review slamming the store’s service and integrity that Pelz said was patently false.
After both Linda G. and Yelp refused to remove the post, Pelz took them both on, suing “Linda G. Doe” for libel and negligence in July and then dragging Yelp into court to try to force them to reveal Linda G.’s identity.
In September, he won his battle with Yelp. A Boston Municipal Court judge ordered Yelp to reveal what they knew about Linda G.
After receiving her real name from Yelp--which he declined to share with National Jeweler--Pelz said he did some digging into his company’s records and discovered that this woman had bought jewelry from him, but not in the quantities she claimed in her review. She also never sold him any jewelry, despite stating on the Yelp that Pelz “ripped [her] off” when she tried to sell back the jewelry she’d bought at his store.
What’s more, despite the fact that the review was posted Feb. 28, Linda G. hadn’t bought anything at Pageo Jewelers since Sept. 5, 2001, some 14 years ago.
Pelz said the store’s records show that this particular customer had a habit of buying a piece of jewelry, keeping it for a couple months and then returning it. After a few purchases and returns between December 1999 and September 2001, she quit coming into the store and he never really gave her a second thought.
Pelz, who has stores in Boston, Nantucket and Newton, said despite the aggravation Linda G.’s Yelp review caused him, he’s not interested in pursuing the libel lawsuit because he got what he wanted: her review is gone from the Yelp page for his Newton store and Yelp removed all the other one-star reviews that flooded his page after it became public that he was battling the popular review website in court.
The jeweler said he only went to court because he could not get any help from Yelp in
removing what he knew was an untrue review. After all, if any customer had spent as much money at his store as Linda G. claimed to have, he would have remembered them.
“My goal was to get that post down and it’s down,” he said. “As far as I am concerned, it’s over.”
More on Independents
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 02, 2026
Elevating Retail Showcases with Today's Necklace & Bracelet TrendsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
TrendsJul 02, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Flag Brooch Celebrates AmericaThe American jewelry house, founded by Latvian immigrants, has been creating American flag brooches since 1917.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 02, 2026
Stratus Estate Buyers Offers Jewelers Turnkey Buying EventsIts team can evaluate jewelry and watches, as well as luxury handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
