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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
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.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
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.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
