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 & 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
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
