CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
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
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
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.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
