Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
MajorsJul 23, 2019
Judge Certifies Signet Investor Lawsuit as a Class Action
It now includes all persons or entities that acquired Signet common stock from Aug. 29, 2013 to May 25, 2017.
New York—A federal judge in New York has certified a lawsuit filed by shareholders against Signet Jewelers Ltd. as a class action and declined the retailer’s request to revisit the ruling.
The lawsuit, filed in 2016 by The Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi, accuses the retailer of misrepresenting two aspects of the company: the health of its credit portfolio (which the company has since outsourced) and the depth and breadth of allegations of a culture of “pervasive” sexual harassment.
The suit now includes all persons or entities that acquired Signet common stock from Aug. 29, 2013 to May 25, 2017.
The day following the class certification, July 11, Signet’s counsel asked the judge for clarification regarding evidence pertaining to the sexual harassment aspect of the suit, particularly the role its Code of Conduct played in misleading investors.
Signet had sought dismissal of the sexual harassment aspect of the lawsuit in May, claiming that its Code of Conduct was an example of “puffery” and acting in contrast to it shouldn’t be viewed as misleading investors.
(Claiming a statement is “puffery”—that it is so general the average person would not rely upon it as fact—is often used as a defense against claims of fraud, especially claims of false advertising.)
U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon denied Signet’s motion, noting that some statements included in a company’s code of conduct can be specific enough for investors to rely upon when deciding to invest in a company and highlighted the importance of context given Signet’s ongoing legal proceedings, particularly Jock, et al. v. Sterling Jewelers Inc., the case filed in March 2008 by several women accusing the company of discriminatory pay and promotion practices based on their gender.
“The problem for defendants is that … Signet’s codes of conduct and ethics—again, reincorporated by reference in Signet’s SEC filings and posted on Signet’s website after Jock was filed—touted certain values and practices that constitute the exact opposite of what the company allegedly valued and practiced,” she wrote in a court filing.
The investors’ counsel viewed the request for clarification as Signet’s latest attempt to dismiss the company culture aspect of the case after five failed attempts to do so, calling it the “sixth bite at the proverbial apple.”
McMahon sided with the plaintiffs in a handwritten memo scribbled on top of Signet’s request for clarification, writing: “I agree with the plaintiff’s counsel—my ruling is crystal clear. There is nothing to
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
clarify. Your understanding is completely, totally and utterly wrong.”
The case, known as In re Signet Jewelers Limited Securities Litigation, is currently in pre-trial proceedings.
Signet Jewelers declined to comment on the judge’s decisions, saying it does not comment on pending legal matters.
The case, known as In re Signet Jewelers Limited Securities Litigation, is currently in pre-trial proceedings.
Signet Jewelers declined to comment on the judge’s decisions, saying it does not comment on pending legal matters.
More on Majors
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
