WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsAug 22, 2019
Jeweler Fined $150K for Selling Cartier, Van Cleef Fakes
A judge sided with the Richemont-owned brands in a counterfeit case filed against a Florida jeweler earlier this year.
Jewelry and watches from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra, Vintage Alhambra and Byzantine Alhambra collections. A Florida jeweler was fined $150,000 for selling counterfeit versions of the Alhambra as well as fakes from other trademarked collections. (Photo courtesy of VanCleefArpels.com)
Miami—A Florida jeweler has been ordered to pay $150,000 to Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels after a judge sided with the Richemont-owned brands in a counterfeit case filed earlier this year.
On May 6, the brands filed a lawsuit against Scott King Inc. (d/b/a Florida Diamond Brokers and Kings Jewelers) accusing the store of selling counterfeit versions of rings, necklaces and earrings from trademarked collections.
A representative of the brands visited Kings Jewelers in Aventura, Florida in November 2018 and saw the look-alikes on display, according to court documents. (The retailer currently has two locations, the Aventura store and a store in Nashville, Tennessee.)
Employees allegedly told the representative the pieces were “inspired by” Cartier and Van Cleef, but not authentic. According to the lawsuit, the employee went on to say the jewelry was not featured in the store’s catalogues because they “don’t want to get in trouble.”
The jewelry sold in Kings mirrored pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” and “Perlée” collections and Cartier’s “Love” and “Juste un Clou” collections.
The pieces were engraved with the brands’ names and were being sold at prices similar to pieces manufactured by Cartier and Van Cleef, according to the suit.
The store stated it stopped selling and promoting the lookalikes as of May 8.
Scott King said in court documents that he received the counterfeit goods via “a purchase made at the JCK trade show from a vendor with an address in Asia.”
Reed Jewelry Group, the company that owns and runs the JCK shows, said in a statement to National Jeweler Wednesday: “At this time, we cannot comment on an ongoing court case to which we are not a party.”
On July 24, the court ordered King to hand over information sufficient to identify the vendor, including a last-known address, email, telephone number and website.
None of that information was publicly available as of press time.
The store sold 14 counterfeit products and had five left in its inventory, with sales totaling $38,190, as per court documents.
King was ordered to pay $150,000 and send the remaining inventory to the brands within 10 days.
The brands initially had sued for the profit made from these pieces as well as statutory damages of up to $2 million
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
per counterfeit collection and per jewelry category.
More on Majors
The Latest
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
