ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
CrimeJan 08, 2020
3 Plead Guilty in Native American Jewelry Scam
They admitted to their roles in a conspiracy in which jewelry manufactured in the Philippines was sold as Native American-made.
Phoenix—Three of the seven people indicted last February for passing off jewelry made overseas as Native American works have pleaded guilty in the case, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
Laura Marye Wesley, aka Laura Lott, 32; 46-year-old Christian Coxon; and 44-year-old Waleed, aka Willie, Sarrar entered their pleas Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Z. Boyle in Phoenix.
According to the indictment, Wesley and her father, 70-year-old Richard Dennis Nisbet, were the ringleaders of a seven-person operation that conspired to have the jewelry made in the Philippines and imported into the United States.
It was delivered to jewelry stores throughout the country and sold as Native American-made jewelry, a violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
A federal law, the IACA prohibits the display and/or sale of any goods—jewelry, rugs, baskets, leather goods, etc.—in a manner that suggests they are Native American-produced, a Native American product, or the product of a specific individual or tribe if they were not made by Native Americans.
In her plea, Wesley admitted to working with the Filipino factory workers who were making the knockoffs and wiring money to the Philippines to pay them and cover costs; smuggling jewelry into the U.S. through the mail to avoid inspection by federal authorities; and removing stickers that read “Made in the Philippines” from bags of imported jewelry.
She also admitted to delivering the pieces to jewelry stores in states including Arizona, Colorado, California, Texas, Minnesota and Utah.
Wesley owned and operated LMN Jewelers, and co-owned and co-operated Last Chance Jewelers, both of which specialize in the sale of Native American-style jewelry.
She pleaded guilty to: one count of conspiracy to commit misrepresentation of Indian-produced goods, wire fraud, mail fraud, entry of goods by means of false statements, and smuggling goods.
Coxon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to mispresent Native American-produced goods and wire fraud for ordering and misrepresenting the jewelry at his store, Turquoise River Trading Company in San Antonio, the Justice Department said.
Sarrar pleaded guilty to the same for his store, Scottsdale Jewels in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Wesley and Sarrar are scheduled to be sentenced on March 30. Coxon’s sentencing is set for March 23.
The Justice Department said they face a maximum of five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
The fourth defendant, Nisbet, died on Dec. 24 in Arizona, according to a filing made by his attorney on Jan. 3.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The three other individuals indicted in the case—Mency Remedio, a factory manager; and Orlando (aka Erlando and Lando) Abellanosa and Ariel Adlawan Canedo, both jewelry-makers—live overseas.
Their cases remain open, court records show.
Their cases remain open, court records show.
More on Crime
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farms’ Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
