CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
CrimeJul 14, 2016
An Alleged Scheme to Scam Jewelry, From Prison
Four individuals have been charged with fraud in a scam involving luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Audemars Piguet that was carried out from a federal prison.
Miami--Four individuals have been charged with mail and wire fraud in a scam that law enforcement officials say was orchestrated in a federal prison and involved well-known luxury brands including Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Audemars Piguet.
According to the indictment in the case, James Sabatino, 39, and Jorge Duquen, 53, of Davie, Fla. were serving time together at the Federal Detention Center in Miami when the following plot was perpetrated.
Sabatino, a man reported to have as many as five aliases, allegedly posed as an executive with Sony Music Entertainment and Roc Nation, the label founded by rapper Jay Z.
Using fake email addresses and the alias “James Prolima,” he requested jewelry, watches, handbags and clothes from store employees and brand representatives whom he reached from prison via phone and email.
He claimed that the items were going to be used in music videos being shot in Miami and would be returned. According to court papers, Sabatino even signed letters of responsibility for them.
The ruse went on for about nine months, from October 2014 to July 2015, and involved requests made to Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Audemars Piguet, among other brands, for bracelets, watches and eyewear.
According to the indictment, Sabatino instructed the employees and representatives to ship the goods to two women on the outside, 53-year-old Valerie Hunt of Davie and Denise Siksha Lewis, 35, of North Lauderdale, as well as “other co-conspirators who were not incarcerated.”
Once Hunt and Lewis received the merchandise, Sabatino and Duquen directed them to sell it at pawn shops. The pair allegedly then deposited a portion of the proceeds from the sales into Sabatino and Duquen’s commissary accounts at the prison.
If convicted, all four face a maximum of 20 years behind bars on each count.
They also would be forced to forfeit any money they made from the sale of the goods as well as the merchandise itself, including two Audemars Piguet watches and 11 bracelets and watches from Tiffany, according to court papers.
This not the first time Sabatino, a New York native who has spent a fair share of his adult life in prison, has been accused of perpetrating a scheme that involved posing as an entertainment industry executive.
According to the Miami Herald, Sabatino is a “legendary Miami fraud artist” who is serving time for probation violations and running up huge tabs at posh Miami resorts while pretending to be an entertainment mogul.
Another time, he used a similar ruse in order to obtain hundreds of free tickets to the Super Bowl, the Herald said.
More on Crime
The Latest
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
