TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
MajorsMay 19, 2017
Merit Diamond Wins $90K in Copyright Case Against Sears
The federal court in Miami issued the judgment against the department store chain and ordered it to stop selling the pendant that Merit claimed was a copy of its “Solitaire” design.
Miami--Merit Diamond Corp. has notched another legal victory protecting the intellectual property rights of its Sirena Collection.
In December, the Florida-based jewelry manufacturer filed a complaint against Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings Management Corp., Sears Brands LLC, Kmart Operations LLC and Kmart Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida for “willful violation” of its copyright and trade dress rights related to the Sirena brand.
The company alleged that in November, one of its employees spotted a necklace similar to Merit’s Solitaire design, which was copyrighted in 2002, in a Sears store in Florida.
The same pendant also was later seen on both the Sears and Kmart websites, priced as low as $29.99, court papers state. 
Sears was once a Merit customer, selling the Sirena Collection and Solitaire design from 2003 until 2011.
Merit argued that the retailer knew about its copyright and trade dress but chose to copy the design anyway for financial gain, selling infringing necklaces at stores across the country.
On March 30, the defendants offered to allow entry of judgment to be taken against them in regards to the complaints, and Merit agreed.
The court issued a judgment in Merit’s favor April 13, ordering Sears to pay the company $90,000, which it already has done, and “further agree that any manufacture, distribution, and sale of the item claimed to be infringing by the plaintiff has stopped and will not be hereinafter recommenced,” court papers state.
After the judgement, Merit issued the following statement: “Merit Diamond Corporation has once again enforced its valuable intellectual property rights in its famous Sirena Collection in federal court in Miami, Florida. Merit successfully sued defendants Sears, Roebuck & Co., Sears Holdings Management Corporation, Sears Brands LLC, Kmart Operations LLC, Kmart Corporation, iStar Jewelry LLC, Yelnats Inc., and Stanley Creations Inc. for copyright and trade dress infringement due to their sale and manufacture of knockoff goods.”
Sears declined to comment on the judgment.
This isn’t the first time Merit has gone to court with claims that a company was knocking off the designs in its Sirena collection--it sued Samuels Jewelers Inc. in 2009 over Sirena, as well as SK Diamonds Inc. in 2011 and Sterling Jewelers Inc. in 2012.
A
judge awarded Merit $7,500 in damages in the case involving SK Diamonds and prohibited the latter from making pendants that closely resembled Sirena pieces.
The Samuels and Sterling Jewelers lawsuits also were settled, though details of those settlements weren’t released.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated May 19 to reflect a response from Sears Holdings.
The Samuels and Sterling Jewelers lawsuits also were settled, though details of those settlements weren’t released.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated May 19 to reflect a response from Sears Holdings.
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
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 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
