CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
OtherMar 30, 2015
Court reverses injunction against A’lor
A federal appeals court has overturned a ruling that barred A’lor from selling certain pieces of cable jewelry, the latest twist in the brand’s ongoing battle with Charriol.
San Diego--A federal appeals court in California has reversed the preliminary injunction leveled against A’lor last spring that barred it from selling certain pieces of cable jewelry, the latest twist in the ongoing legal battle between the brand and Charriol.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the lower court erred in finding that the 2010 “Exclusive Jewelry License Agreement” inked between A’lor International Ltd. and Philippe Charriol International Ltd. covered the “so-called ‘cable design.’”
The appeals court stated that the agreement covers only three word marks: Celtic, Charriol and Colvmbvs and “does not prohibit A’lor from selling cable jewelry under its own brand after termination” of their agreement, court papers state.
While the ruling, which overturns a judgement issued by the U.S. District Court in April 2014, is a victory for A’lor, it is not the end of the legal battle between the two companies, which had worked side-by-side for years, with A’lor acting as the licensee for Charriol jewelry in the United States.
Ludovic Lesur, managing director of Philippe Charriol International, said the company was “disappointed” with the ruling and has asked the court to rehear the parties’ appeal.
He also said that A’lor “did not honor the injunction while it was in place, and, as a result, (Philippe Charriol) was further damaged by A’lor’s commercial misconduct.”
However, Tal Zemer, a principal at A’lor, said they “interpreted the court order as best they could,” and don’t believe they were in violation of the injunction.
He said they discontinued some products while redesigning a significant portion of their inventory, and added that any pieces covered by the injunction were older and have “aged out of the inventory.”
Zemer said they are “very happy” with the appeals court’s ruling.
“This reversal essentially says that everything we’ve said since the beginning (of the lawsuits) is correct,” he said; namely, that the cable design is not part of their contract with Philippe Charriol and always has been owned by A’lor.
Lesur said Philippe Charriol intends to move forward with its remaining claims in district court.
Still up in the air are issues of the termination of the contract--Charriol has said that Alor ended their distribution agreement without proper justification--breach of contract and trademark infringement. A trial is set for January 2016.
RELATED CONTENT: Alor battles Charriol in court, reverts to ‘Alor’
The legal battle between these two one-time partners began brewing in May 2013, when Geneva-based Philippe Charriol filed suit against San Diego-based A’lor in federal court in California.
The extensive complaint accused A’lor of selling Charriol “knock-off jewelry” and claimed that A’lor traded off the strength of the Charriol name to design, develop and implement a competing line of jewelry under its own name in the U.S. and abroad.
That July, A’lor fired back with a counterclaim, accusing Charriol of breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.
A’lor also alleged that Charriol was the one selling designs that infringed upon A’lor’s trade dress and copyrights. In court documents, A’lor stated that it first publicly displayed its nautical cable motif jewelry in the early 1980s, “prior to any other person or entity doing so.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify A’lor and Charriol’s past relationship. A’lor was the licensee for Charriol jewelry in the United States, not the distributor.
More on Other
The Latest
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
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.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
