CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensCrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings
The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, recently seized a large shipment of fake Van Cleef & Arpels “Alhambra” earrings.
Louisville, Ky.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville, Kentucky, recently seized a shipment of more than 7,300 pairs of fake Van Cleef & Arpels earrings.
The jewels would have been worth nearly $30.4 million if genuine.
The shipment arrived from Hong Kong on Aug. 6 and was heading to a residence in Miami.
Officers inspected the shipment, which weighed 56 pounds and claimed to be a “metal necklace.”
Inside, they found 7,319 pairs of earrings made to look like they were from Van Cleef and Arpels’ “Alhambra” collection.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, determined they were fakes and violated the brand’s federally protected trademark.
“Legitimate trade powers the U.S. economy, but counterfeit and pirated goods dampen our economic successes, fund criminal networks, and threaten consumer trust and safety,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations, at CBP’s Chicago field office.
“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.”
Related stories will be right here …
The jewels would have been worth nearly $30.4 million if genuine.
The shipment arrived from Hong Kong on Aug. 6 and was heading to a residence in Miami.
Officers inspected the shipment, which weighed 56 pounds and claimed to be a “metal necklace.”
Inside, they found 7,319 pairs of earrings made to look like they were from Van Cleef and Arpels’ “Alhambra” collection.
CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, determined they were fakes and violated the brand’s federally protected trademark.
“Legitimate trade powers the U.S. economy, but counterfeit and pirated goods dampen our economic successes, fund criminal networks, and threaten consumer trust and safety,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations, at CBP’s Chicago field office.
“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.”
In April, CBP officers in El Paso, Texas, seized 2,000 pieces of counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, worth $9.2 million if genuine.
For the last three years, jewelry was the top commodity with the highest total MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) seized for intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement, followed by watches and then handbags and wallets.
China and Hong Kong are consistently the top two source countries for IPR seizures, said CBP, accounting for 90 percent of the total quantity seized in fiscal 2024.
The counterfeit goods are usually sold via underground outlets or on third-party e-commerce sites, said CBP, and many fund smugglers and members of organized crime.
Intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime, noted CBP, highlighting the impact on consumers, businesses, trademark holders, and manufacturers of legitimate products.
“While it may seem harmless to buy a knock-off purse, an inexpensive electronic device, or cheaper medication, these trade practices threaten the public's health and safety, the U.S. economy, and national security by introducing harmful and banned materials into counterfeit products and supporting illegal labor practices,” said the organization.
CBP offers an “E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers” on its website as well as an online educational initiative to educate consumers about the dangers surrounding counterfeit goods.
More on Crime
The Latest
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
