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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
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.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
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.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
