MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsMar 13, 2013
Undisclosed and still unpunished
The lawsuit filed by one-time Gemesis CEO Stephen Lux against his former company in U.S. Circuit Court in Florida is ongoing, with the latest filing in the case coming earlier this month.
On March 1, Gemesis Diamond Company (f/k/a The Gemesis Corporation) filed a motion to disqualify Spivey & Fallon, P.A. as co-counsel for Lux namely because one of the partners in the firm, Cynthia L. Fallon, is Lux’s wife.In the suit, Gemesis states that Fallon had an “intimate relationship with both the confidential and corporate dealings of Gemesis as well as personal matters relating to Mr. Lux, individually. As a result, Ms. Fallon wore ‘two hats:’ corporate representation for Gemesis and personal representation for Mr. Lux.”
In addition, the suit states that Fallon and her current law partner, Barry Spivey, previously worked at a law firm that served as outside counsel for Gemesis. All of this adds up to a conflict of interest for the firm to represent Lux in his current lawsuit, Gemesis claims, and the company wants Spivey & Fallon removed.
It’s an interesting wrinkle, to be sure, and it’s a case we will certainly continue to follow, though I don’t purport to have a guess as to how the court will rule on this particular matter, being no expert in the area of what constitutes conflict of interest among attorneys.
What I did find interesting about the filing, however, was a small paragraph regarding the apparently still-ongoing investigation by Belgian authorities into the parcel of hundreds of undisclosed synthetic diamonds that surfaced at the International Gemological Institute laboratory in Antwerp last spring, diamonds that have been linked to Gemesis/Su-Raj Diamonds, though no criminal charges have been brought in the case.
“Ms. Fallon was involved in the sensitive matter regarding the Belgian investigation into the relationship between Gemesis and Su-Raj Diamonds,” court documents state. “Ms. Fallon has intimate knowledge regarding the investigation and subpoena, as well as the circumstances surrounding the investigation.”
The paragraph, admittedly, doesn’t tell us much but at least we know the investigation is ongoing, which is more than I can get out of anyone officially involved with the case, either here or in Belgium.
The lead investigator in Antwerp (which is where I’ve been told to direct my inquiries about the case) is Agim De Bruycker. Although I received no reply from him regarding my inquiry about the case a few months ago, I decided to reach out again when news broke of the multi-million dollar heist at the Brussels airport late last month.
This time he replied--eureka!--but only to
say he was bound to secrecy. (And the same goes for his colleagues in Brussels that are investigating the airport heist.)
I assume that this secrecy only lasts as long as the investigation is ongoing and we will eventually hear what, if anything, will be done to those parties that attempted to pass off a relatively large parcel of lab-grown diamonds as natural.
I assume that this secrecy only lasts as long as the investigation is ongoing and we will eventually hear what, if anything, will be done to those parties that attempted to pass off a relatively large parcel of lab-grown diamonds as natural.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
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.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
