TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews MajorsAug 01, 2024
Verragio Sues Online Retailer for Allegedly Copying Designs
The company filed a lawsuit against The Art of Jewels for allegedly mimicking its signature engagement ring and wedding band designs.
A Verragio engagement ring. The brand filed a lawsuit in California federal court against San Francisco-based online retailer The Art of Jewels and Fine Art alleging the company has copied its designs and infringed on the “Verragio Crest” trademark.
New York—Verragio is accusing another jewelry company of copying its engagement ring and wedding band designs.
The New York-based brand filed a lawsuit against The Art of Jewels and Fine Art LLC on July 26 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The San Francisco-based retailer, which bills itself as the “#1 Lab Grown Diamond Marketplace” in the United States, was founded in 1990, as per its website, and sells online in the U.S. and Canada via its website and a 1stDibs shop.
In the lawsuit, Verragio accuses The Art of Jewels and Fine Art of copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting and infringement, and unfair competition.
Reached via email Wednesday, The Art of Jewels said it could not provide comment on Verragio’s lawsuit because it has not yet been served with the complaint.
Verragio founder, owner, and CEO Barry Nisguretsky, who also goes by “Barry Verragio,” has designed jewelry for more than 25 years, obtaining copyrights for several designs he has created for Verragio, including the company’s signature “Verragio crest.”
Court documents show screenshots of several Verragio’s rings alongside the alleged copies by Art of Jewels, which include its trademarked signature crest, Verragio contends.
The New York-based brand filed a lawsuit against The Art of Jewels and Fine Art LLC on July 26 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The San Francisco-based retailer, which bills itself as the “#1 Lab Grown Diamond Marketplace” in the United States, was founded in 1990, as per its website, and sells online in the U.S. and Canada via its website and a 1stDibs shop.
In the lawsuit, Verragio accuses The Art of Jewels and Fine Art of copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting and infringement, and unfair competition.
Reached via email Wednesday, The Art of Jewels said it could not provide comment on Verragio’s lawsuit because it has not yet been served with the complaint.
Verragio founder, owner, and CEO Barry Nisguretsky, who also goes by “Barry Verragio,” has designed jewelry for more than 25 years, obtaining copyrights for several designs he has created for Verragio, including the company’s signature “Verragio crest.”
Court documents show screenshots of several Verragio’s rings alongside the alleged copies by Art of Jewels, which include its trademarked signature crest, Verragio contends.
“Verragio’s federally registered Verragio Crest trademark is a unique and distinctive design which Verragio incorporates into its jewelry designs to distinguish its products and designate a single source of origin,” the company said in court documents.
The lawsuit states that the allegedly copied designs have “irreparably harmed” Verragio, as well as the general public, by causing confusion.
This is not the first time Verragio has gone to court to defend its intellectual property.
In 2017, the company said it sent out 30 cease-and-desist letters and filed 10 lawsuits in the span of 18 months after learning from other jewelry designers and retailers that there was a proliferation of Verragio lookalikes in the market.
“Verragio is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding our intellectual property, empowering our valued retailer partners with the confidence to exclusively showcase the unique and innovative Verragio brand,” Nisguretsky said in a statement to National Jeweler Wednesday.
The company is requesting the court issue a permanent injunction to stop The Art of Jewels and Fine Art from making jewelry that it said infringes on its copyrights, as well as a trial by jury.
The Latest
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
