The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
One lawsuit over EGL reports is settled
One of the lawsuits filed by consumers against Nashville jeweler Genesis Diamonds for selling diamonds allegedly over-graded by EGL International has been settled while three others remain open.
Nashville, Tenn.--One of the lawsuits filed by consumers against Nashville jeweler Genesis Diamonds for selling diamonds allegedly over-graded by EGL International has been settled while three others remain open.
Filed in Davidson County (Tenn.) Circuit Court in July by James Wells, a/k/a James Wills, the lawsuit accused Genesis Diamonds of fraud and violating Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act for selling a diamond with an EGL International report that stated it was G color, VS2 clarity that later was deemed by the Gemological Institute of America to be a J color, SI2 worth about half of what he originally was led to believe.
Attorney Eli Richardson, who represents Genesis Diamonds, said Monday that the case had been settled on terms that are “mutually satisfactory to the parties.” He declined to provide further details.
Davidson County Circuit Court records show that suits making the same allegations against Genesis Diamonds filed by M. Nathaniel Averitt (August), Richard Vien (August) and Allan (A.J.) Zyla Jr. are outstanding. All three are represented by the same attorney, Nashville-based Brian Cummings.
Richardson said they are “confident” the remaining suits will be “resolved favorably for Genesis Diamonds.”
Brian Manookian, who represented Wells, did not return a call for comment Monday on the decision.
The Nashville-based attorney once sued Genesis Diamonds himself after buying a diamond there, eventually settling the case, and has erected a website called GenesisDiamondsLawsuit.com on which consumers can contact him about possibly taking legal action against the retailer.
The Latest

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.


NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Lazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.

A portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.






















