CrimeMar 20, 2023
Jewelry Crime Reached Record Level in 2022, JSA SaysCrimeApr 12, 2023
Customs Seizes $4.4M Worth of Counterfeit Jewelry
CBP officers in Louisville, Kentucky, uncovered fake Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Chanel jewelry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, uncovered shipments containing more than 2,700 pieces of counterfeit jewelry.
Louisville, Ky.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, uncovered 2,760 pieces of counterfeit jewelry in a 24-hour period, a haul that would be worth more than $4.4 million if genuine.
On April 3, officers seized two shipments originating from Hong Kong and heading to two different recipients in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
One contained 400 bracelets while the second shipment had 993 jewelry sets, all bearing “suspect” Van Cleef & Arpels trademarks, said CBP.
The officers shared documentation and photographs with its trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), who determined the jewelry was fake.
If genuine, the pieces would have been worth $3.7 million.
On April 4, another shipment was halted, this time originating in Hong Kong and heading to a residence in Cleveland, Ohio.
Inside the parcel, officers found 1,367 counterfeit pendants with “suspect” marks from Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Versace, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, and MCM.
There were also jewels with “suspect” New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers marks.
CEE experts once again found the items were not authentic. If real, the value would total more than $710,000.
Related stories will be right here …
On April 3, officers seized two shipments originating from Hong Kong and heading to two different recipients in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
One contained 400 bracelets while the second shipment had 993 jewelry sets, all bearing “suspect” Van Cleef & Arpels trademarks, said CBP.
The officers shared documentation and photographs with its trade experts at the Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), who determined the jewelry was fake.
If genuine, the pieces would have been worth $3.7 million.
On April 4, another shipment was halted, this time originating in Hong Kong and heading to a residence in Cleveland, Ohio.
Inside the parcel, officers found 1,367 counterfeit pendants with “suspect” marks from Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Versace, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana, and MCM.
There were also jewels with “suspect” New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers marks.
CEE experts once again found the items were not authentic. If real, the value would total more than $710,000.
All three of the packages were given to Homeland Security Investigations, and an investigation is ongoing, said CBP.
In a statement, Louisville Port Director Thomas Mahn highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property to the U.S. economy.
“No one buys a luxury brand piece of jewelry expecting it to fail or fall apart,” he said. “As consumers increasingly purchase from online or third-party vendors, our officers are at the frontline to guard against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise.”
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations at the Chicago Field Office, echoed his sentiment.
“Substandard and illegal products harm the U.S. economy and the health and safety of consumers,” she said. “Once again our CBP officers at the Port of Louisville have demonstrated their exceptional skill and superior commodity expertise.”
In fiscal 2022, CBP said it seized more than 24.5 million items that violated intellectual property rights. If genuine, the items would have been worth nearly $3 billion.
CBP has an educational initiative available online to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
More on Crime
The Latest
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.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
