Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
OtherApr 14, 2014
Alor ordered to stop selling Charriol-like jewelry
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Alor from selling jewelry that allegedly infringes upon Charriol’s cable trademarks and from publicly claiming that Charriol is being “rebranded” as Alor.
San Diego--A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Alor from selling jewelry that allegedly infringes upon Charriol’s cable trademarks and from publicly claiming that Charriol is being “rebranded” as Alor.
According to court documents filed Thursday in federal court in California, San Diego-based A’lor International Ltd. cannot manufacture, sell or advertise jewelry that contains or infringes upon Philippe Charriol International’s (PCI) trademarks--including pieces with the cable or metallic nautical rope design--covered under the jewelry agreement the two companies inked in October 2010.
In addition, Alor cannot use, display or reproduce PCI’s trademarks in Alor-brand products and the company is barred from “promoting or holding itself … out to members of the public as a replacement or successor to PCI or the Charriol brand; suggesting that PCI or Charriol have ‘merged with’ or been ‘re-branded’ as Alor; (and) distributing Charriol jewelry under the ‘Alor’ name, or under any trade name other than Charriol,” court papers state.
“While Alor has been promoting that cable jewelry is returning to its ‘Alor roots,’ cable jewelry was and is associated with the company that made it famous and an international brand, Charriol,” Geneva-based Charriol said in a statement issued Monday. “As the federal court has ruled, cable jewelry is and remains the province of Charriol … While Alor contends that it has separated from Charriol, look for Charriol cable jewelry and products at dealers everywhere.”
Before the preliminary injunction goes into effect, the court has requested that Charriol post a bond. Charriol said it is contesting bond in the case.
Alor said it is still working to determine if it will appeal the injunction.
When asked specifically what jewelry the ruling applies to, both sides said that is still being determined.
Tal Zemer, Alor’s principal and general counsel, said neither the court nor PCI has defined specific SKUs covered by the ruling. He said they are working with PCI to clarify what pieces are involved.
Zemer also said they do not believe the ruling will impact the new in-store advertising materials.
“The judge’s order affects only a portion of our products and it’s still only a preliminary ruling,” he said. “We fully expect to prevail at a full trial on the merits when the judge is able to consider all of the relevant evidence as to our contractual relationship (with PCI).”
National Jeweler first reported on the legal battle
between Charriol and Alor in February after Alor issued a press release announcing it would no longer be selling jewelry under the Charriol name in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and would instead revert to selling as “Alor.” Alor had been distributing Charriol jewelry in the United States since 1992.
Alor shot a new advertising campaign featuring model Noot Seear and began providing its U.S. and Canadian retailers with Alor-branded jewelry as well as packaging, support materials and displays.
RELATED CONTENT: Alor battles Charriol in court, reverts to ‘Alor’
But Charriol is fighting this so-called rebranding, accusing Alor in court documents of, among other things, terminating their distribution agreement without proper justification then launching an infringing line of Alor-brand jewelry.
In one of its many arguments in this complicated case, Alor, however, contends that Charriol has no protectible interest in the cable design mark because it is generic, meaning it is widely used by jewelry designers.
A similar battle currently rages in the jewelry world between Tiffany & Co. and warehouse retailer Costco, with Costco claiming the term “Tiffany setting” has become genericized.
RELATED CONTENT: In Tiffany vs. Costco, the battle’s just begun
In issuing the preliminary injunction, the court denied two other requests from PCI.
It deferred ruling on the jewelry agreement between the two parties--which Alor claims it ended via letter in February but which PCI contends was not properly terminated--and it shot down PCI’s request for a preliminary injunction requiring Alor to obtain PCI’s approval for any new products it makes or sells.
More on Other
The Latest
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store BurglaryPolice officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
