The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
Former Jewelry Store Manager Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud
He directed his staff to accept counterfeit credit cards for jewelry purchases at his Florida store, leading to almost $400,000 in losses in 2010 and 2011.
Fort Pierce, Florida--A former Florida jewelry store manager has pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Frank Dunkow, 52, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg to one count of bank fraud involving the repeated sales of jewelry to individuals using counterfeit credit cards.
Dunkow was the store manager at Littman Jewelers in the Wellington Mall in Wellington, Florida.
The release states that, according to court records, he directed his employees to accept counterfeit credit cards used by individuals on a number of occasions to buy expensive pieces of jewelry.
The first credit card given by co-conspirators often was declined. The buyers then would give a second, third or more until the charge was processed, despite the cards being fake.
Dunkow and his staff processed a number of such sales between June 2010 and March 2011, leading to just under $400,000 in financial losses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
He faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment and up to $1 million in fines at sentencing.
The Latest

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.


The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.