CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
MajorsMar 01, 2017
Unsealed Documents Paint Troubling Portrait of Sterling
The documents are connected to the ongoing gender discrimination case against Sterling Jewelers and detail a culture where women were objectified, disrespected and scared.
Washington--The Washington Post published a report Monday detailing accounts of sexual harassment and objectification of women at Sterling Jewelers Inc., operator of the Kay and Jared chains.
The article was based on more than 1,000 pages of sworn statements submitted as part of the ongoing class-action arbitration that accuses Sterling of pay and promotion discrimination against women.
The arbitration itself does not contain any allegations of sexual harassment or impropriety, which David Bouffard, spokesman for Sterling parent company Signet Jewelers Ltd., pointed out were never pursued by the claimants’ attorneys despite “years of litigation, millions of pages of documentation and numerous depositions.”
But the documents reported on by the Post were filed as part of the case and had remained under wraps, until now.
The documents consist of declarations from about 250 women and men and detail reports of mandatory company meetings where women were “aggressively pursued, grabbed and harassed,” the Post story states.
One former Sterling employee said she didn’t like being alone anywhere and dreaded going to these meetings where women “were meat, being shopped.”
One former male employee told the Post that he was troubled by the climate at the retailer, writing in his declaration: “This culture of sexism and womanizing was so prevalent that female management employees were pressured to acquiesce and participate.”
Bouffard said in his statement sent Monday night that these allegations present a “distorted and inaccurate” view of the company.
They involve a very small number of individuals who worked for Sterling during the period covered by the class arbitration (2004 to present) and many of the allegations go back decades, he said.
Bouffard also noted that complaints reported to the company were “thoroughly investigated, and action was taken where appropriate.”
The report is another blow for Signet Jewelers Ltd., which already is grappling with slow sales and fallout from last year’s allegations of stone-swapping at Kay Jewelers stores.
The gender discrimination case against Sterling Jewelers, which accuses the retailer of paying female employees less and passing them over for promotions in favor of men, was first filed by a group of about 12 women in 2008.
Though Signet Jewelers fought against it, arbitrator Kathleen A. Roberts ruled in February 2015 that the women could pursue their claims as a class, though she threw out claims that the alleged discrimination was intentional.
The case now includes 69,000 former and current Sterling employees.
The documents obtained by the Post were employee statements that
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
were submitted as part of the arbitration that had been designated as confidential.
Attorneys for the women fought to make these documents public, eventually reaching an agreement with Sterling’s lawyers that the documents could be released as long as the names of executives and managers accused of harassment or abuse were redacted.
In its story, the Post said it had been asking to review the employee statements submitted as part of arbitration since 2015. More than 1,300 pages of sworn statements from 250 men and women were released Sunday and were the basis for the story that the Post published on Monday.
Bouffard said the sexual harassment allegations “are being publicized by claimants’ counsel to present a distorted, negative view of the company.”
The lead counsel for the women, Joseph M. Sellers of the Washington, D.C. firm of Cohen Milstein, did not respond to request for comment on the story Tuesday.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a separate lawsuit against Sterling Jewelers alleging the same--pay and promotion discrimination. That lawsuit was filed in federal court in 2008 on behalf of 44,000 women and is ongoing.
Attorneys for the women fought to make these documents public, eventually reaching an agreement with Sterling’s lawyers that the documents could be released as long as the names of executives and managers accused of harassment or abuse were redacted.
In its story, the Post said it had been asking to review the employee statements submitted as part of arbitration since 2015. More than 1,300 pages of sworn statements from 250 men and women were released Sunday and were the basis for the story that the Post published on Monday.
Bouffard said the sexual harassment allegations “are being publicized by claimants’ counsel to present a distorted, negative view of the company.”
The lead counsel for the women, Joseph M. Sellers of the Washington, D.C. firm of Cohen Milstein, did not respond to request for comment on the story Tuesday.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has a separate lawsuit against Sterling Jewelers alleging the same--pay and promotion discrimination. That lawsuit was filed in federal court in 2008 on behalf of 44,000 women and is ongoing.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
