MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
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
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
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.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
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.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
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.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
