SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
TechnologySep 16, 2015
Jeweler wins ruling to reveal Yelper’s identity
A judge ruled Tuesday that Yelp must reveal what it knows about the identity of a reviewer who posted an allegedly libelous review about her experience at a Boston jeweler’s store.
Boston--A Boston Municipal Court judge ruled in favor of a jeweler Tuesday when he ordered Yelp Inc. to reveal what they know about the identity of a reviewer who posted an allegedly libelous review about her experience at the retailer’s store.
The review in question was posted to Pageo Jewelers’ Yelp page on Feb. 28 by a user identifying themselves as Linda G. from Boulder, Colo.
It slammed Pageo for being overpriced and lacking ethics and also claimed that Pageo owner George Pelz had not given “Linda G.,” an alleged longtime customer who had spent a lot of money at the store over the years, a fair price when she sold her “wedding ring/engagement ring” and all the jewelry she’d bought there back to the store.
Her review also indicated that she was selling her jewelry out of desperation in order to leave an abusive relationship and that after completing the sale, she was seated at the same table as Pelz at a fundraiser for abused women, which she found to be hypocritical since he had “ripped me off when I was so down and out,” she stated.
After being told by Yelp that they would not remove the review, Pelz fired back on the site on March 7, calling the review a “complete fabrication” and Linda G. a “Yelp terrorist,” a reference to a term used in a Boston Globe story that ran that same day.
Yelp declined another request from Pelz to remove the review because it “appeared to reflect the user’s personal experience and opinions, consistent with Yelp’s Terms of Service and Content Guidelines,” court papers state.
On July 27, Pelz brought a libel and negligence lawsuit against Linda G. Doe in Boston Municipal Court, outlining eight claims made in the review that are “false and defamatory statements,” the suit states. (Yelp is not being sued.)
He also subpoenaed Yelp’s registered agent in Boston, seeking identifying information about Linda G. Yelp pushed back, however, filing a motion in opposition claiming that releasing Linda G.’s information was a violation of the user’s right to free, anonymous speech on the Internet.
RELATED CONTENT: The best ways to handle online complaints
On Tuesday morning the parties had their day in court and late that afternoon the judge ruled that Yelp had to comply with the subpoena and reveal what information they have on Linda G.’s identity by Friday.
Attorney Paul Allen Levy of the Washington, D.C.-based Public Citizen Litigation Group, who represented Yelp pro bono in the subpoena case, did not respond to request for comment on Wednesday.
Pelz told National Jeweler that he will determine how to move forward with his libel suit when they determine exactly who, or what, Linda G. is.
In the meantime, the jeweler said his Yelp page has come under fire from people all over the country, with more than 50 users posting one-star reviews as backlash for filing a lawsuit against a Yelper.
The page currently is earmarked by Yelp with an “Active Cleanup Alert” prestitial, which states: “This business recently made waves in the news, which often means that people come to this page to post their reactions. The best place to share your thoughts is on Yelp Talk. You are also welcome to post a review about this business, but we will ultimately remove reviews that appear to be motivated more by the news coverage itself than by the reviewer’s own customer experience with the business (even if that means removing points of view we might agree with).”
As of Thursday morning, a handful of these reviews remained, including one that stated, “I waited thirty minutes for my pizza before being told by the store manager to leave the premises. One of the worst experiences of my life, I will be calling dominoes (sic) next time!”
More on Technology
The Latest
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
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.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
