MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
CrimeApr 16, 2015
Jeweler in Ala. gets 3 years for money laundering
A jeweler who pawned a diamond he reported stolen and was found with a stockpile of weapons in his Alabama home will spend the next several years behind bars.
Birmingham, Ala.--The former owner of Denman-Crosby in Mountain Brook, Ala. was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for pawning a 3-carat diamond he falsely reported stolen and illegally possessing nearly 100 guns.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama said Wednesday that 65-year-old Joseph Harold Gandy was sentenced in front of a federal judge on one count of money laundering for pawning property worth more than $10,000 that was obtained through a criminal act. The criminal act in this case, prosecutors said, was wire fraud, which he committed when he submitted an insurance claim on diamonds that weren’t actually stolen.
Gandy also was sentenced on one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm after a search of his Vestavia Hills, Ala. home turned up 99 weapons. He was prohibited from owning weapons because of a 1989 federal mail fraud conviction.
According to court documents, Gandy’s case got its start back in 2004, when he had $2.8 million in jewelry and loose diamonds in his store on consignment from dealers in New York and elsewhere for a holiday sale.
He reported that two men robbed his store and took all the goods, and his insurance company paid out $2.6 million, his policy limit.
Gandy held onto the merchandise for nearly a decade. Then, in 2013, he began sending a friend to jewelry stores in Jefferson County, Alabama to pawn the diamonds that allegedly had been stolen nine years prior.
The two were stopped cold in their first attempt, in July 2013, when the jeweler to whom they were trying to sell a 1.59-carat diamond demanded documentation, court documents state.
However, Gandy and his partner in crime had better luck later that year.
After examining about a dozen diamonds to make sure they didn’t bear any inscription, Gandy had his friend sell a 3.01-carat emerald-cut diamond, receiving a $12,000 loan from the store where he sold it.
The pair also disposed of a 3.45-carat cushion-cut diamond for $8,000 and a 2.16-carat round diamond for $2,000, and Gandy gave his friend nearly $4,000 for making the transactions. All three stones were on the stolen inventory list Gandy submitted to the insurance company.
Gandy was charged in October and pled guilty the following month. He was sentenced as part of a binding plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
He also must
pay $20,000 in restitution to the jewelers where he pawned the diamonds, and must forfeit nearly all the diamonds and jewelry the FBI recovered from him, prosecutors said. This includes a $620,000 blue diamond that was among the stones Gandy falsely reported as stolen.
More on Crime
The Latest
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
