ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsMar 11, 2014
Federal judge dismisses EEOC case vs. Sterling
A New York federal judge has thrown out the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s claim that Sterling Jewelers Inc. engaged in a nationwide practice of paying its female employees less and passing them over for promotions.
Buffalo, N.Y.--A New York federal judge has thrown out the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s claim that Sterling Jewelers Inc. engaged in a nationwide practice of paying its female employees less and passing them over for promotions.
In an order signed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, federal judge Richard J. Arcara stated that after considering the report and recommendation filed by Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy in January, statements from both sides and oral arguments, he has opted to dismiss the EEOC’s claim with prejudice for “the reasons set forth in Magistrate Judge McCarthy’s Report and Recommendation.”
The EEOC filed suit against Sterling Jewelers in September 2008 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, accusing the jeweler of exhibiting a nationwide pattern of gender discrimination when it came to pay and promotions.
The suit was filed on behalf of some 44,000 female employees of Sterling Jewelers--making it the largest suit ever brought by the EEOC--and the EEOC said it had investigated, on a nationwide basis, claims of gender bias by the retailer.
Sterling denied the claims of discrimination and brought a motion stating that the EEOC investigated only one store in New York and two stores in Tampa, Fla. and did not conduct a thorough examination of the jeweler’s employment practices nationwide, as it had claimed.
In his ruling issued Jan. 2, McCarthy sided with Sterling, stating that the EEOC failed to prove it conducted a thorough, nationwide investigation of the retailer’s employment practices prior to filing the lawsuit, an assertion backed by Monday’s ruling by the federal court judge.
RELATED CONTENT: Judge calls for dismissal of EEOC case v. Sterling
The claim being dismissed with prejudice means the action is final at the district court level, though the EEOC could appeal, said attorney Gerald L. Maatman Jr., a partner at Seyfarth Shaw and the lead counsel for Sterling in the case.
“As defense counsel we are pleased with the ruling. We think it was well-reasoned and consistent with the evidence,” he said.
The EEOC said it has no comment.
A separate lawsuit filed by individuals charging Sterling Jewelers with discriminating against women in the workplace is still pending.
Originally filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in March 2008, prior to the EEOC case, the suit is in arbitration.
Washington-based
attorney Joe Sellers, one of the lawyers representing the claimants involved in this case, said a hearing took place at the end of February on their request for the case to proceed as a class action, which would include about 40,000 current and former Sterling employees. They are awaiting the arbitrator’s decision.
The ruling in EEOC vs. Sterling has no impact on this case as it was based on the finding that the EEOC had conducted an insufficient investigation and not on the merits of the case, Sellers said.
Sterling has maintained throughout that it takes both lawsuits seriously and investigated the women’s claims thoroughly but found them to be without merit.
“We are confident they do not reflect our company’s environment, which is built on core values of fairness, opportunity, integrity and respect,” said David Bouffard, vice president of corporate affairs for Sterling parent company Signet Jewelers Ltd.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
