FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
MajorsMay 19, 2017
Merit Diamond Wins $90K in Copyright Case Against Sears
The federal court in Miami issued the judgment against the department store chain and ordered it to stop selling the pendant that Merit claimed was a copy of its “Solitaire” design.
Miami--Merit Diamond Corp. has notched another legal victory protecting the intellectual property rights of its Sirena Collection.
In December, the Florida-based jewelry manufacturer filed a complaint against Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings Management Corp., Sears Brands LLC, Kmart Operations LLC and Kmart Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida for “willful violation” of its copyright and trade dress rights related to the Sirena brand.
The company alleged that in November, one of its employees spotted a necklace similar to Merit’s Solitaire design, which was copyrighted in 2002, in a Sears store in Florida.
The same pendant also was later seen on both the Sears and Kmart websites, priced as low as $29.99, court papers state. 
Sears was once a Merit customer, selling the Sirena Collection and Solitaire design from 2003 until 2011.
Merit argued that the retailer knew about its copyright and trade dress but chose to copy the design anyway for financial gain, selling infringing necklaces at stores across the country.
On March 30, the defendants offered to allow entry of judgment to be taken against them in regards to the complaints, and Merit agreed.
The court issued a judgment in Merit’s favor April 13, ordering Sears to pay the company $90,000, which it already has done, and “further agree that any manufacture, distribution, and sale of the item claimed to be infringing by the plaintiff has stopped and will not be hereinafter recommenced,” court papers state.
After the judgement, Merit issued the following statement: “Merit Diamond Corporation has once again enforced its valuable intellectual property rights in its famous Sirena Collection in federal court in Miami, Florida. Merit successfully sued defendants Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings Management Corporation, Sears Brands LLC, Kmart Operations LLC, Kmart Corporation, iStar Jewelry LLC, Yelnats Inc., and Stanley Creations Inc. for copyright and trade dress infringement due to their sale and manufacture of knockoff goods.”
Sears declined to comment on the judgment.
This isn’t the first time Merit has gone to court with claims that a company was knocking off the designs in its Sirena collection--it sued Samuels Jewelers Inc. in 2009 over Sirena, as well as SK Diamonds Inc. in 2011 and Sterling Jewelers Inc. in 2012.
A
judge awarded Merit $7,500 in damages in the case involving SK Diamonds and prohibited the latter from making pendants that closely resembled Sirena pieces.
The Samuels and Sterling Jewelers lawsuits also were settled, though details of those settlements weren’t released.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated May 19 to reflect a response from Sears Holdings.
The Samuels and Sterling Jewelers lawsuits also were settled, though details of those settlements weren’t released.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated May 19 to reflect a response from Sears Holdings.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
