AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
MajorsMar 09, 2016
Unique Settings Sued for Allegedly Failing to Pay Overtime
A former jewelry polisher has filed a collective action lawsuit against manufacturer Unique Settings of New York claiming that he put in 45- to 52-hour work weeks but wasn’t compensated at all for overtime.
Brooklyn, N.Y.--Unique Settings of New York is facing a collective action lawsuit for allegedly failing to pay non-exempt employees overtime and not providing them with accurate wage statements on payday.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn on behalf of former Unique employee Patricio Vizuette and “all others similarly situated” against D.C. Group Inc. (d/b/a Unique Settings of New York) and its owner, Ozan Ekmel (Mel) Anda.
In the suit, Vizuette alleges that while employed at Unique between July 2008 and November 2014, he put in between 45 and 52 1/2 hours every week, starting at 9 a.m. and ending around 6 or 8 each night with a half-hour break for lunch.
Despite the fact that he was putting in nine, 10- or 11-hour days, he claims he was never paid for any hours over 40 “at any rate of pay, let alone at the minimum wage rate of pay, his regular rates of pay, or his overtime rates of pay,” court papers state.
Like all non-exempt workers, Vizuette was entitled to overtime (time and a half) under the New York Labor Law, the New York Compensation Codes Rules and Regulations, and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
The lawsuit also alleges that the jewelry manufacturer did not provide employees with proper, accurate wage statements on each payday, as required by the New York Labor Law.
Unique, the lawsuit alleges, “acted in the manner described herein so as to maximize their profits while minimizing their labor costs.”
Scott Ohnegian of Riker Danzig, the attorney representing D.C. Group/Unique in the case, said that Unique intends to “defend itself very vigorously” against the allegations raised in the lawsuit.
He also said that Vizuette was fired from Unique for allegedly stealing gold and might have become “disgruntled” with the company after they tried to block him from collecting unemployment.
Vizuette filed his lawsuit back in July.
In early February, attorneys for both D.C. Group/Unique and Vizuette, who is represented by Borrelli & Associates P.L.L.C., agreed that notice could be distributed to former and current manual laborers for the company, informing them that they might be entitled to join a lawsuit that alleges they did not receive proper overtime compensation. The notice covers employees who worked at Unique as far back as July 29, 2012.
Because it is a federal collective action--not a class action--current and former employees
must opt in to become part of the lawsuit. (In class actions, potential plaintiffs must opt out.)
Vizuette is seeking to recover his full payment of unpaid minimum wages, overtime compensation and liquidated damages.
Vizuette is seeking to recover his full payment of unpaid minimum wages, overtime compensation and liquidated damages.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
