CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
MajorsApr 01, 2015
Arbitrator slams Sterling for ‘misleading’ memo
The arbitrator in the ongoing gender discrimination suit against Sterling Jewelers called an email the retailer sent to employees about the case a “troubling” document that contains “misleading partial truths and omissions.”
New York--The arbitrator in the ongoing gender discrimination suit against Sterling Jewelers called an email the retailer sent to employees about the case a “troubling” document that contains “misleading partial truths and omissions.”
On Feb. 2, arbitrator Kathleen Roberts issued her most recent major decision in the case, ruling that that current and former female employees of Sterling Jewelers Inc. can pursue claims challenging the retailer’s pay and promotion practices as a class, though she threw out claims that the alleged discrimination was intentional.
According to court papers, the following day, Sterling sent an email titled “Legal Update: Arbitrator Finds No Convincing Proof of Companywide Discriminatory Pay and Promotions Policies at Sterling” to all its employees, a communication that caused the women’s attorneys to cry foul because, they said, it was “biased and misleading.”
Claimants’ lawyers filed an emergency motion asking the arbitrator to restrict Sterling’s communications with members of the class, including those who still work for the retailer, and to force the retailer to issue a notice correcting its memo.
On March 16, Roberts declined the motion for corrective notice, stating that members of the certified class will receive arbitrator-approved information about the award in the future, but chastised Sterling in her ruling.
She wrote that the memo “presents a seriously incomplete and misleading description of the award that diminishes the significance of the award and could potentially discourage interest and participation in the class arbitration,” court papers state.
Sterling Jewelers spokesman David Bouffard said while they “respectfully disagree” with the arbitrator’s characterization of their corporate communication, the arbitrator did conclude that the memo “did not significantly impact the arbitration process.” The retailer, which has maintained throughout the case that the discrimination claims are not representative of its corporate culture, has appealed the arbitrator’s Feb. 2 ruling.
Among the points of the Sterling memo that Roberts found misleading is the title, which “improperly and erroneously suggests” that her Feb. 2 ruling contains a determination on the merits of the intentional discrimination claims in the case.
However, Roberts stated, all that was determined was that claimants failed to present the sufficient proof necessary to pursue claims of intentional pay and promotion discrimination as a class. The standard of proof she used in the case was the one set by the huge Walmart class action, a case that has created “substantial hurdles” for pursuing claims of
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
intentional discrimination as a large class.
She also noted that the claimants and other current and former employees are free to pursue claims of intentional discrimination individually.
Roberts also stated that the memo doesn’t clearly convey the main point of her Feb. 2 ruling: that she has cleared the way for tens of thousands of current and former female employees of Sterling Jewelers to pursue claims that the retailer’s pay and promotion practices had a disparate impact on women.
Going forward, she has prohibited Sterling’s attorneys from contacting class members, including those who are current employees of the jeweler, about the arbitration without the consent of class counsel or her order.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
