AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
MajorsOct 26, 2018
Adwar Lawsuit Against Star Gems Dismissed
A U.S. district judge in New York dismissed the copyright infringement case for “lack of personal jurisdiction,” but Adwar said it plans to refile in Georgia.
New York—A lawsuit filed by Adwar Casting in New York state against a company it alleged was knocking off its designs has been dismissed for jurisdiction reasons.
Rockville Centre, New York-based Adwar filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in October 2017 against Star Gems, a wholesale manufacturer and seller of jewelry products based in the Atlanta suburb of Norcross, Georgia, and its president and CEO, Anish Desai.
The company alleged that Star Gems used two of Adwar’s copyrighted pieces of artwork without permission—one a picture of a ring and the other of a pendant—and began marketing and selling jewelry using them.
This week, U.S. District Judge Denis R. Hurley ruled the case be dismissed for “lack of personal jurisdiction,” court documents show.
Personal jurisdiction refers to the power of a court to hear and rule on a lawsuit involving a defendant due to the defendant having had some contact with the place where the court is located; in this case, New York.
Attorneys for Star Gems argued that jurisdiction doesn’t exist since the company isn’t incorporated in New York but, rather, Georgia and doesn’t maintain its principal place of business here.
Star Gems also contended that jurisdiction doesn’t exist over Desai since he lives in Georgia and, the company noted, no complaints in the case included any alleged knock-off activity occurring in New York, including jewelry being sold, advertised or offered in the state or to any of its residents.
Adwar argued that the place of “injury” in the case is New York because Star Gems “retrieved the images of the ring and the [pendant] from Adwar’s website and digitally downloaded them to Star’s computer,” court papers state, then allegedly reproduced the artwork and displayed the images on social media, linking to a website offering customers the ability to freely access the work.
In finding in favor of Star Gems and Desai the judge ruled that there were no allegations that sales causing “injury” occurred in New York. Rather, Adwar merely argued that it had lost and continued to lose income because of the alleged infringement, which doesn’t constitute “injury to person or property within the state,” court papers state.
The judge’s ruling also noted that the fact that the images at issue were allegedly uploaded to the internet does not warrant a finding of in-state injury.
Desai told National
Jeweler this week: “We are glad that the judge has dismissed the entire case against Star Gems, as the claim had no merit to begin with,” and said he is thankful for the retailers who continue to support his business.
Adwar Chief Financial Officer Keith Adwar said they disagree with the judge’s decision but rather than appealing it in New York federal court, the company instead will refile the suit in Georgia. He said Adwar hopes to do so soon.
When Adwar sued Star Gems last year, the company also filed a lawsuit against Interjewel USA and Mercury Ring. That case was settled in February.
Adwar Chief Financial Officer Keith Adwar said they disagree with the judge’s decision but rather than appealing it in New York federal court, the company instead will refile the suit in Georgia. He said Adwar hopes to do so soon.
When Adwar sued Star Gems last year, the company also filed a lawsuit against Interjewel USA and Mercury Ring. That case was settled in February.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
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.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
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.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 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.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
