EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
CrimeJul 07, 2021
TX Jewelry Store Owner Accused of Cheating Customers Arrested
FBI agents nabbed Santiago Mora in Miami on a warrant related to a separate federal case.
Miami—A Texas jewelry store owner accused of swindling customers has been arrested on unrelated charges, law enforcement authorities confirmed Tuesday.
According to Christina Garza, public affairs officer for FBI’s Houston field office, FBI agents in Miami arrested Santiago Mora on June 30 on a warrant for failure to appear for a bond revocation hearing.
The hearing was related to federal charges the retailer is facing.
In November 2020, a Texas grand jury indicted Mora on three counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Mora owns half of Laspis [sic] Lazuli LLC, which does business as retailer Alku Modern Jewelers in Katy, Texas. A silent partner based in Sandy, Utah owns the other 50 percent.
According to the indictment, filed Nov. 19 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, around May 2019, Mora worked with a company called Timez Investments Inc. that bought luxury watches from him and would, in turn, sell them for a profit.
Timez paid Mora about $8.8 million for 855 watches, but only received about half of them. He allegedly failed to deliver about 354 of those timepieces and owes the company nearly $4 million.
According to the indictment, Mora told the owners of Timez he would apply for a loan to pay them back, then proceeded to use his business partner’s identity in order to obtain merchant cash advances.
Mora allegedly employed various methods—forging his partner’s signature, using his driver’s license, and pretending to be him on a call—in order to obtain money via wire transfers from three different financial institutions.
He never paid back the cash advances, using the funds instead to “repay previous debts and to obtain substantial economic benefits for his own personal use and benefit,” the indictment states.
Mora remained free on a $50,000 bond following his indictment.
However, as reports began surfacing about the retailer defrauding customers at his jewelry store, the government moved to revoke his bond, court records show.
Mora didn’t show up for the revocation hearing in June, sparking issuance of the federal warrant on which he was detained in Miami.
In this episode of "Line Up", the @FBCSO asks for your help in solving a crime that happened in Katy-Cinco Ranch. The case involves numerous high-end jewelry thefts from a local business involving the business owner and customers. pic.twitter.com/yNPOSJZxP9
— FBCSO Texas (@FBCSO) June 28, 2021
In addition to the federal charges, Mora is wanted by the sheriff’s office in Fort Bend County, Texas for first-degree felony theft related to Alku Modern Jewelers.
KHOU11 aired multiple reports of people who claim they gave Mora money for items they never received, including a man who said he’s out $3,500 for an engagement ring and another who said he paid the retailer $26,000 for two rare Rolex watches that were never delivered.
Reached via email on Tuesday, Mora’s attorney, Sam Adamo, said his client is “an honest businessman” with no criminal history.
He said both the pandemic and a family emergency delayed delivery of orders to customers, and that Mora is working on full refunds for anyone who did not receive their order.
In late June, the sheriff’s office featured Mora’s case in a series called “Line Up,” designed to enlist the public’s help in solving crimes and finding wanted individuals.
Garza, the FBI Houston spokesperson, said Tuesday that Mora is still in Miami awaiting extradition to Texas.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
