ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
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
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
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg PendantThe man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural DiamondsSponsored by De Beers Group
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock WatchThe classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
AGA Announces 2026 Tucson Speaker LineupThe association’s annual conference and gala will take place Feb. 4, 2026, during the Tucson gem shows.
Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
CBG Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Miami Event The January show will include a workshop for jewelry retailers on implementing AI to strengthen their businesses.
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement RingFellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving WeekendBlack Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.
AuctionsDec 03, 2025
Fabergé’s 'The Winter Egg' Achieves Record $30MThe historic egg, crafted for Russia's ruling family prior to the revolution, was the star of Christie’s recent auction of works by Fabergé.
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price PointsThe retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.
CollectionsDec 02, 2025
Briony Raymond Introduces First FragranceThe eau de parfum is held in a fluted glass bottle that mirrors the decor of the brand’s atelier, and its cap is a nod to its “Sloan” ring.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Petra Diamonds Elevates Interim CEOs to Permanent StatusVivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, who’ve been serving as interim co-CEOs since February, will continue to lead the diamond mining company.
MajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education FoundationIn addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.
IndependentsDec 02, 2025
RJO Welcomes Its 1,200th Retail MemberWitt’s Jewelry in Wayne, Nebraska, is the organization’s new milestone member.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno AwardLaurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
CrimeDec 01, 2025
Fourth Man Charged in Louvre Jewelry HeistThe man, who has a criminal history, is suspected of being the fourth member of the four-man crew that carried out the heist.
AuctionsDec 01, 2025
Christie’s Presents ‘Splendor & Style’ CollectionThe single-owner collection includes one of the largest offerings of Verdura jewels ever to appear at auction, said Christie’s.
IndependentsDec 01, 2025
Lustig Jewelers’ New Owner Is a Fellow Chicago JewelerMichael Helfer has taken the reins, bringing together two historic Chicago jewelry names.
