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.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
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.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
