CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYC
Seized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
A gold-colored fake Fendi bangle. The bracelet was one of more than 1,500 pieces of counterfeit designer jewelry stopped and confiscated last week by customs agents in Kentucky. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Louisville, Ky.—Customs officials in Kentucky have seized two more shipments of fake designer jewelry, these ones originating in Hong Kong and bound for New York City.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that agents in Louisville, Kentucky, confiscated 1,588 pieces of jewelry that turned out to be counterfeit.
The seized shipment included: 691 pairs of earrings, 522 bracelets, 197 necklaces, and 178 rings.
CBP said every single piece bore a brand name.
The shipment included pieces made to look like they were from fine jewelry brands—Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels—as well as from high-end fashion houses that produce fine and fashion (costume) jewelry: Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Saint Laurent.
The jewelry would have retailed for $9.2 million had it been genuine.
CBP officers pulled the shipment aside because it suspected the jewelry was counterfeit.
They submitted documentation and photos to customs’ trade experts, who worked with the companies that hold the trademarks to verify the products were counterfeit.
Related stories will be right here …
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that agents in Louisville, Kentucky, confiscated 1,588 pieces of jewelry that turned out to be counterfeit.
The seized shipment included: 691 pairs of earrings, 522 bracelets, 197 necklaces, and 178 rings.
CBP said every single piece bore a brand name.
The shipment included pieces made to look like they were from fine jewelry brands—Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels—as well as from high-end fashion houses that produce fine and fashion (costume) jewelry: Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Saint Laurent.
The jewelry would have retailed for $9.2 million had it been genuine.
CBP officers pulled the shipment aside because it suspected the jewelry was counterfeit.
They submitted documentation and photos to customs’ trade experts, who worked with the companies that hold the trademarks to verify the products were counterfeit.
Seizures of counterfeit items are not uncommon.
CBP said it seized more than 78 million counterfeit goods in 2025 that would have been worth more than $7 billion if genuine.
The items confiscated last year included multiple shipments of fake Cartier, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet watches that were headed to New York City, Houston, and Irving, Texas; more than 7,000 pairs of counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels earrings that were on their way to a residence in Miami; and multiple shipments of fake Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry that were headed to residences in Pennsylvania, Florida, and North Carolina, as well as to a business in Wyoming, Michigan.
The CBP noted that counterfeit goods, including all the fake luxury watches and jewelry, are sold via underground outlets and on third-party e-commerce sites, and consumers often buy them thinking they are getting an authentic piece of brand-name jewelry for a great price.
However, the items they are purchasing are of poor quality, and often are made using “harmful and banned” materials by laborers operating under sub-standard conditions, said CBP.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure ProgramThe new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ CollectionThe “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower PreservationA portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
