CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
CrimeJul 13, 2014
Cartier sues former exec for trade secret theft
Cartier has filed a lawsuit against its former director of off-line advertising, claiming she asked a co-worker to download confidential information about advertising plans and then tried to entice that same employee to follow her to competitor Tiffany & Co.
New York--Cartier has filed a lawsuit against its former director of off-line advertising, claiming she asked a co-worker to download confidential information about advertising plans and then tried to entice that same employee to follow her to competitor Tiffany & Co.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in New York federal court by Cartier parent company Richemont North America Inc., the luxury goods conglomerate alleges that in March, after New York-based Cartier advertising executive Melissa Pordy was told that she would be laid off due to restructuring, she “planned and took steps to access, procure and use plaintiffs’ confidential information.”
According to the suit, Pordy gave the assistant manager of offline advertising, who is not named in court papers, nine USB thumb drives to download confidential Cartier information contained on her work computer and Cartier’s network, including advertising plans, proposals and strategies.
Pordy told the assistant manager, who was her former assistant, that the information would be used “if we need it sometime,” court papers state.
After leaving Cartier, Pordy went to work for competitor Tiffany & Co. and solicited the assistant manager to join her there, all the while pressuring her to download the rest of the confidential information, court papers state.
The assistant manager verbally accepted a position with Tiffany and resigned from Cartier. Three days later, however, she withdrew her resignation and confessed to a colleague that Pordy had requested she download confidential files, court papers state. A week later, she officially resigned from Cartier.
Richemont’s lawsuit also claims that Pordy pretended to be a member of its company’s human resources department in order to get her work cell phone number transferred to her personal phone and, due to a clerical error, received more than $28,000 in unearned wages that she has not returned.
Attempts to reach Pordy were unsuccessful and court papers do not list any attorney for the defendant.
A Tiffany spokesman confirmed that Pordy does work at Tiffany but said that the company cannot comment on an employee’s personal matters.
Richemont is suing Pordy for violating the employee agreements she signed regarding confidential information and soliciting Cartier employees to leave the company, violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, tortious interference with contractual relations, conversion, fraud and unjust enrichment.
The company is seeking unspecified damages in the case, the return of the $28,889 in allegedly unearned wages, the return and/or
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
destruction of any confidential information in her possession and a permanent block on her using the telephone number once owned by Richemont.
The Latest
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
