CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
MajorsJul 16, 2014
Harry Winston’s son loses bid to use Winston name
The son of famed diamantaire Harry Winston has lost a 13-year-long court battle to register the name Bruce Winston as a trademark for his own line of high-end jewelry, court papers show.
New York--The son of famed diamantaire Harry Winston has lost a 13-year-long court battle to register the name Bruce Winston as a trademark for his own line of high-end jewelry, court papers show.
Following oral arguments that took place in August 2013, the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) ruled July 9 in favor of Harry Winston Inc. and Harry Winston S.A., which sought to block Bruce Winston from registering the mark “Bruce Winston” for his business. He started his New York-based jewelry company, Bruce Winston Gem Corp., in 2002 and has been seeking to register Bruce Winston since 2001.
In its ruling, the TTAB stated that it would not allow Bruce Winston to register his mark because the Harry Winston name is so well known in the marketplace and the two companies’ products are very similar, which likely would result in confusion among consumers.
Bruce Winston’s attorney did not respond to request seeking comment on the ruling.
Court papers mention specifically a number of the accomplishments of Harry Winston himself, who “attracted for himself and for his business substantial attention from the press,” noting that the company’s name recognition continues to this day. Among those cited is the fact that a gems room in the Smithsonian bears his name and that actress Marilyn Monroe sang about him in the “legendary” song Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), crooning “Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it.”
The TTAB also dismissed Bruce Winston’s attempts to cancel certain Harry Winston Inc. trademarks and his claim that the company has allowed other members of the Winston family to use their names to market and sell jewelry.
One specific case cited is that of Charles Winston, who is the son of Harry Winston’s nephew, Jerry.
Since 1997, Charles Winston has been appearing on home shopping networks selling sterling silver jewelry set with cubic zirconia. He also sells the Charles W. Moissanite Signature Collection on Amazon.com.
However, in its ruling the TTAB notes that Harry Winston Inc. has “imposed restraints upon him,” with a federal lawsuit against three of his businesses resulting in a “stringent” consent judgment and permanent injunction. Court papers state that Harry Winston has “taken meaningful steps to control and neutralize the impact of the Charles Winston mark and to ensure that its use will be
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
limited to the non-competing fields of inexpensive costume jewelry.”
According to court papers, Harry Winston started his company as Harry H. Winston Jewels Inc. in 1932 and changed its name to Harry Winston Inc. in 1936.
After he died in 1978, ownership of the company was shared by his son Ronald and a trust for the benefit of his other son, Bruce. Between 2000 and 2006-2008, the company gradually was sold off to Aber Diamond Corp., which became Harry Winston Diamond Corp.
Harry Winston Diamond Corp. sold the Harry Winston name and retail stores to the Swatch Group in 2013.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
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.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
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.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
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.”
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.
