SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Policies & IssuesJan 06, 2017
Verragio Says It’s Cracking Down on Copycats
The bridal brand has filed copyright infringement lawsuits against 10 companies in the past 18 months.
A ring from Verragio’s Insignia collection with princess and round brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding a setting for a princess-cut center. The three-pronged crown-like symbol under the center stone is called the Verragio Crest, a company trademark that’s currently being defended in a number of lawsuits.
New York--Verragio Ltd. has sent out 30 cease-and-desist letters and filed 10 lawsuits in an effort to crack down on companies it said are copying its diamond engagement ring designs.
The lawsuits and letters have come over the past 18 months after Verragio, tipped off in large part by other jewelry designers and retailers, became aware there was a proliferation of rings deemed as lookalikes in the market.
Filed in federal courts from New York to California, the lawsuits accuse jewelry manufacturers and one retailer of infringing on copyrighted engagement ring designs in Verragio’s six collections and, in some cases, of incorporating the trademarked Verragio Crest (as seen above) into their rings.
Among the companies being sued is Malakan Diamond Co., which is accused of copying rings from the Parisian, Insignia and Venetian collections and using the trademarked Crest in their rings.
In an email to National Jeweler on Thursday, Malakan’s attorney in the case, H. Ty Kharazi, said his client manufactured the pieces in question in the “early 1990s” and pointed specifically to the company’s Michelle collection, made in 1998.
“The design and effects not only are different from Verragio’s, they also pre-date their (copyrights),” he said.
Verragio also is suing Neenah, Wisconsin manufacturer and retailer A & E Jewelers Inc. and AE Jewelers of Appleton LLC, a former Verragio customer that also is mentioned in the Malakan lawsuit as selling allegedly infringing rings made by Malakan.
In that lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Verragio alleges that after it cut ties with the retailer because of lack of payment, A & E Jewelers sold a customer a “slavish copy” of one of its rings from the Parisian collection and then told the customer it was a Verragio ring.
The attorney for A&E Jewelers did not respond to request for comment by deadline.
Verragio also has ongoing lawsuits against D & M-SMJ Inc. d/b/a Skatell’s Manufacturing Jewelers, SK Diamonds and S. Kashi & Sons Inc. All of those cases were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Todd Wengrovsky, the attorney representing S. Kashi & Sons, declined to comment on the pending litigation, citing the “early stage” of the case. (The lawsuit against S. Kashi & Sons was filed in September.)
The attorneys representing Skatell’s Manufacturing Jewelers and SK Diamonds did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
A search
of federal court records by National Jeweler shows that Verragio’s lawsuits against the following companies have been settled:
--Kim International, filed April 2015 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, settled February 2016;
--Kieu Hanh Jewelry, filed April 2015 in the same court, settled March 2016;
--Jeulia, filed December 2015 in the same court, settled May 2016;
--Master Casting & Cad, filed July 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, settled December 2016; and
--Artisan Jewelers Inc., filed June 2016 in the Eastern District of North Carolina, settled September 2016.
Verragio’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Howard Kroll, said to date, the company has collected more than $500,000 in damages and attorney’s fees between the settled lawsuits and the resolution of 18 of the cease-and-desist letters.
There are 12 cease-and-desist letters outstanding, along with the five lawsuits detailed above.
“They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it’s not,” Kroll said in an interview with National Jeweler. “It’s copyright infringement.”
New York-based Verragio is headed by owner Barry Nisguretsky, better known as Barry Verragio. The company is known for making engagement rings with intricate details and a vintage look.
It started on this streak of legal filings in April 2015.
Commenting on the lawsuits in a company press release, Nisguretsky said: “Our authorized retail partners expect us to protect their investment in Verragio. By protecting our intellectual property, we are maintaining not only the integrity of the brand but also the reputation of those retailers who represent it.”
--Kim International, filed April 2015 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, settled February 2016;
--Kieu Hanh Jewelry, filed April 2015 in the same court, settled March 2016;
--Jeulia, filed December 2015 in the same court, settled May 2016;
--Master Casting & Cad, filed July 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, settled December 2016; and
--Artisan Jewelers Inc., filed June 2016 in the Eastern District of North Carolina, settled September 2016.
Verragio’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Howard Kroll, said to date, the company has collected more than $500,000 in damages and attorney’s fees between the settled lawsuits and the resolution of 18 of the cease-and-desist letters.
There are 12 cease-and-desist letters outstanding, along with the five lawsuits detailed above.
“They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it’s not,” Kroll said in an interview with National Jeweler. “It’s copyright infringement.”
New York-based Verragio is headed by owner Barry Nisguretsky, better known as Barry Verragio. The company is known for making engagement rings with intricate details and a vintage look.
It started on this streak of legal filings in April 2015.
Commenting on the lawsuits in a company press release, Nisguretsky said: “Our authorized retail partners expect us to protect their investment in Verragio. By protecting our intellectual property, we are maintaining not only the integrity of the brand but also the reputation of those retailers who represent it.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
EditorsJan 16, 2026
Remembering Pete Yantzer for His Contributions and His Kindness Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.
