PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
MajorsMar 01, 2017
Gender bias case against Sterling moves forward
An arbitrator has issued a mixed ruling in the ongoing gender discrimination case against Kay and Jared parent company Sterling Jewelers.
New York--An arbitrator ruled this week that a group of women can pursue claims challenging Sterling Jeweler Inc.’s pay and promotion practices as a class though she threw out claims that the alleged discrimination was intentional.
In a 118-page decision released Tuesday, arbitrator Kathleen A. Roberts ruled that the 12 claimants could proceed as a class in arbitration to determine if the Akron, Ohio-based retailer’s compensation and promotion practices have a “disparate impact on women.” Sterling has fought for years against having the case certified as a class.
If disparities are found for which there is no justifiable business reason, then the women will be eligible as a class to affect changes in Sterling’s practices and will be able to pursue claims for lost wages individually.
In terms of alleged pay discrimination specifically, the class covers women who worked at Sterling between July 22, 2004 and the yet-to-be-set date of the trial, which will take place before the same arbitrator. In terms of alleged promotion discrimination, it covers women who worked at Sterling between Dec. 7, 2004 and the trial date.
What the arbitrator denied were the women’s claims of disparate treatment, meaning that the discrimination was intentional and part of an overall corporate culture that demeaned female employees.
In denying the women’s claims of disparate treatment, the arbitrator stated in her ruling that the claimants failed to provide the “significant proof” necessary to pursue claims of intentional discrimination.
This burden of significant proof Roberts relied upon in this case was the one set in the Wal-Mart gender discrimination case, though she noted that the Wal-Mart decision is one that presents “substantial hurdles” for pursuing claims of intentional discrimination as a large class.
The arbitrator wrote, “While the evidence in [the Sterling] case”--a case that includes particularly salacious claims that women were groped and grabbed, solicited for sex and expected to undress publicly at often-mandatory company events, as well as internal company memos acknowledging that the company paid women less than men--“may be in some respects stronger than the evidence presented in Wal-Mart, it fails to provide significant proof that Sterling operated under a general policy of discrimination.”
Roberts called into question specifically the opinion of one expert for the claimants, James Outtz, stating that he cannot answer the “essential question” of what percentage of the employment decisions at Sterling are determined by a “gender-discriminatory
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
corporate culture,” court papers show.
She also stated that Outtz’s conclusions are not supported by reliable methodology. Among other things, he disregarded about 600 declarations written by the company’s female employees that reflect a very different view of the company’s treatment of women. “His decision to disregard this evidence, without any explanation, at a minimum calls his objectivity into question,” Roberts noted in her ruling.
Both sides are claiming the arbitrator’s ruling as a victory.
Joe Sellers, an attorney representing the women, said it was an “enormous achievement” for his clients and a “very important case” that gives them the opportunity to affect broad changes in a company that’s a leader in its industry.
Sterling, meanwhile, called the ruling “favorable,” pointing to the fact that the arbitrator rejected claims that Sterling had “systematically and intentionally” discriminated against female employees.
Regarding the portion of the arbitration that Roberts did allow to move forward, company spokesman David Bouffard said, “Sterling is optimistic that it will be able to demonstrate that the case is without either factual or legal merit in the next phase of the proceedings. We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves.”
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
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.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
