Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Policies & IssuesDec 26, 2013
Former Tiffany executive gets 1 year in theft case
A former vice president of product development at Tiffany & Co. was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for stealing more than $2 million in jewelry from the New York-based retailer.
New York--A former vice president of product development at Tiffany & Co. was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for stealing more than $2 million in jewelry from the New York-based retailer.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York, Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun was sentenced Monday before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe after pleading guilty in July to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
The maximum sentence for this charge is 10 years, but both sides worked out a plea deal in which they agreed that, in this case, the maximum would be four years.
In the end, the judge handed down a one-year sentence to the 47-year-old Darien, Conn. resident plus one year of supervised released and ordered her to pay $2.2 million in restitution and forfeit $2.1 million.
Lederhaas-Okun’s attorney did not respond to request for comment on the sentencing.
According to information released in the case, as vice president of product development at Tiffany, Lederhaas-Okun’s responsibilities included ensuring proposed designs could be manufactured. Because of this, she had the authority to check out jewelry to, for example, take it to manufacturers to determine the cost of production.
Between November 2012 and February 2013, when she was let go due to downsizing, she “abused her position” by checking out more than 165 pieces of jewelry worth more than $1.2 million, including diamond bracelets, platinum and diamond rings and diamond pendants.
She sold some, if not all, of this jewelry to an unnamed, Manhattan-based buyer and reseller of jewelry for $1.3 million. The company paid either her or her relative in transactions arranged either by Lederhaas-Okun or a friend working on her behalf.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said they do not have any comment on whether additional individuals will be charged in the case.
Lederhaas-Okun admitted to stealing more than $2 million in jewelry in this manner.
To cover up the theft, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said that she told Tiffany several different stories about what had happened to the missing jewelry, including that it was checked out to create a PowerPoint presentation for her supervisor, a presentation that didn’t exist, and that the jewelry could be found in a white envelope in her office.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
