CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
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
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
