Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
MajorsJan 11, 2018
Sterling Suing Alex and Ani for Breach of Contract
Alex and Ani went to Jared, and it didn’t go so well.
Akron, Ohio--Alex and Ani went to Jared and, apparently, it didn’t go so well.
Court papers filed in federal court in Ohio show that Sterling Jewelers Inc., operator of the Jared the Galleria of Jewelry chain, is suing the Providence, Rhode Island-based bangle brand for breach of contract.
Sterling, a wholly owned subsidiary of Signet Jewelers Ltd., and Alex and Ani inked an agreement in August 2015 to do a test run of the brand’s bangles in about 100 Jared stores.
Under
Alex and Ani’s sales terms, Sterling was allowed to sell its bangles at particular brick-and-mortar Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores but was barred from employing “certain discounting strategies,” which included both marking down the bangles and selling them at any of the company’s outlet stores.
The merchandise didn’t move for Sterling, with the retailer stating in its lawsuit that, “because of the Alex and Ani sales terms, Sterling encountered difficulty selling the products and sales of the products soon began underperforming and continued to underperform into 2016.”
Sterling also stated in the suit that Alex and Ani’s “ongoing concerns about possible negative effect on its brand” prevented it from selling its backlog of inventory to a third-party seller.
Between this and the restrictions on discounting, the retailer was sitting on as much as $6 million of Alex and Ani inventory at one point.
In July 2016, about a year after the initial agreement was reached, Sterling and the bangle brand reached an agreement whereby Alex and Ani would buy back $3 million in merchandise.
The following month, Sterling returned the first shipment of jewelry, worth nearly $900,000. Alex and Ani accepted the shipment, and a company representative told Sterling it would get its money as soon as the shipment was processed.
More than a year later, Sterling still has not received its money for the first shipment, court papers state, nor has Alex and Ani repurchased the rest of the $3 million in merchandise in the agreement.
At the end of August 2016, Sterling terminated its agreement with Alex and Ani, then attempted to “mitigate its damages” by discounting the Alex and Ani jewelry so the retailer could move it, but was hit with multiple cease-and-desist letters by Alex and Ani, which were “wrongfully claiming” Sterling was violating their agreement.
Sterling is seeking about $2.6 million in damages plus interest and attorneys’ fees, as set forth in the 2015 agreement.
Alex and Ani’s attorney, Mark J. Geragos, of Los Angeles law firm Geragos & Geragos, said Wednesday that his client and Sterling Jewelers already have engaged in “very cordial and informal” talks, and he expects the lawsuit will end up getting dismissed quickly.
Sterling Jewelers Inc. originally filed suit against Alex and Ani LLC in the Court of Common Pleas for Summit County, Ohio, the county where Signet is headquartered, in November.
The case was moved to federal court in December at Alex and Ani’s request.
The merchandise didn’t move for Sterling, with the retailer stating in its lawsuit that, “because of the Alex and Ani sales terms, Sterling encountered difficulty selling the products and sales of the products soon began underperforming and continued to underperform into 2016.”
Sterling also stated in the suit that Alex and Ani’s “ongoing concerns about possible negative effect on its brand” prevented it from selling its backlog of inventory to a third-party seller.
Between this and the restrictions on discounting, the retailer was sitting on as much as $6 million of Alex and Ani inventory at one point.
In July 2016, about a year after the initial agreement was reached, Sterling and the bangle brand reached an agreement whereby Alex and Ani would buy back $3 million in merchandise.
The following month, Sterling returned the first shipment of jewelry, worth nearly $900,000. Alex and Ani accepted the shipment, and a company representative told Sterling it would get its money as soon as the shipment was processed.
More than a year later, Sterling still has not received its money for the first shipment, court papers state, nor has Alex and Ani repurchased the rest of the $3 million in merchandise in the agreement.
At the end of August 2016, Sterling terminated its agreement with Alex and Ani, then attempted to “mitigate its damages” by discounting the Alex and Ani jewelry so the retailer could move it, but was hit with multiple cease-and-desist letters by Alex and Ani, which were “wrongfully claiming” Sterling was violating their agreement.
Sterling is seeking about $2.6 million in damages plus interest and attorneys’ fees, as set forth in the 2015 agreement.
Alex and Ani’s attorney, Mark J. Geragos, of Los Angeles law firm Geragos & Geragos, said Wednesday that his client and Sterling Jewelers already have engaged in “very cordial and informal” talks, and he expects the lawsuit will end up getting dismissed quickly.
Sterling Jewelers Inc. originally filed suit against Alex and Ani LLC in the Court of Common Pleas for Summit County, Ohio, the county where Signet is headquartered, in November.
The case was moved to federal court in December at Alex and Ani’s request.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
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.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
