TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
MajorsJan 23, 2018
Judge Drops Thousands from Sterling Discrimination Case
Federal judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that an arbitrator overstepped her bounds in including women who did not opt into the class.
New York--A federal judge ruled last week that the arbitrator in charge of the sex discrimination case against Sterling Jewelers overstepped her bounds in including women who did not opt into the class, and he cut thousands of women from the case.
Arbitrator Kathleen A. Roberts ruled in February 2015 that women could pursue claims of pay and promotion discrimination against the retailer as a class, and certified a class of approximately 70,000 individuals that included all women who had worked for Sterling within a specific range of dates, regardless of whether or not they had said they wanted to be part of the case.
Sterling appealed the decision twice and in July 2017, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the retailer, ruling that the issue of whether or not an arbitrator has the power to include people who do not opt into the class had never been “squarely addressed,” and remanded the issue to the U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
On Jan. 16, federal Judge Jed S. Rakoff ruled that the arbitrator does not have this power, writing in his decision, “Arbitrators are not judges. Nowhere in the Federal Arbitration Act does Congress confer upon these private citizens the power to bind individuals and businesses except in so far as the relevant individuals and businesses have bound themselves.”
“The court finds that the arbitrator here had no authority to decide whether the RESOLVE agreement permitted class-action procedures for anyone other than the named parties who chose to present her with that question and those other individuals who chose to opt in to the proceeding before her.”
RESOLVE is the name for Sterling’s internal dispute resolution system; upon hire, all employees agree to settle any workplace disputes in private arbitration, a practice some lawmakers are looking to force companies to change because, they say, it can discourage women who have been discriminated against or sexually harassed from speaking up.
The judge’s ruling cuts the size of the class down from 70,000 to the approximately 250 women who either filed the original arbitration claim under Title VII--which covers claims of promotion discrimination--or were part of the claim before the 2015 class certification that Rakoff just overturned.
There are, however, 10,000 other women who opted into a separate class in 2016 under claims brought under the Equal Pay Act (EPA).
Washington, D.C.-based attorney Joseph Sellers, who represents the women who filed
the case against Sterling, said he “respectfully disagrees” with Judge Rakoff’s decision and already has filed an appeal.
“At the very least, we think we should proceed to trial on behalf of the claims of more than 9,000 women. We hope the Second Circuit (Court of Appeals) will allow the balance of the women’s claims,” he said, referring to the 60,000 women excluded by Rakoff’s decision.
David Bouffard, the vice president of corporate affairs for Sterling parent company Signet Jewelers Ltd., said the company will be challenging the certification of the EPA class as well.
The sex discrimination case against Sterling began back in 2008 when a group of 12 women who used to work at the retailer’s stores accused it of paying women less than men and passing them over for promotions.
Filed as part of that case but not released until this past spring were more 1,000 pages of sworn statements obtained by The Washington Post that went beyond allegations of pay and promotion discrimination, painting a portrait of Sterling in the late ‘90s and early 2000s as a boys’ club where the sexist culture started at the top with now-departed CEO Mark Light.
These claims are not part of the class arbitration, and Sterling has repeatedly disputed them, saying they give a distorted and inaccurate picture of the company’s culture.
“At the very least, we think we should proceed to trial on behalf of the claims of more than 9,000 women. We hope the Second Circuit (Court of Appeals) will allow the balance of the women’s claims,” he said, referring to the 60,000 women excluded by Rakoff’s decision.
David Bouffard, the vice president of corporate affairs for Sterling parent company Signet Jewelers Ltd., said the company will be challenging the certification of the EPA class as well.
RELATED CONTENT: EEOC, Signet Reach Settlement in Discrimination CaseThe ruling, and subsequent appeal, is the latest in a convoluted case that has stretched on for nearly a decade and has included numerous rulings and appeals on the issue of allowing the women to pursue their claims as a class even though their case has to be heard in arbitration.
The sex discrimination case against Sterling began back in 2008 when a group of 12 women who used to work at the retailer’s stores accused it of paying women less than men and passing them over for promotions.
Filed as part of that case but not released until this past spring were more 1,000 pages of sworn statements obtained by The Washington Post that went beyond allegations of pay and promotion discrimination, painting a portrait of Sterling in the late ‘90s and early 2000s as a boys’ club where the sexist culture started at the top with now-departed CEO Mark Light.
These claims are not part of the class arbitration, and Sterling has repeatedly disputed them, saying they give a distorted and inaccurate picture of the company’s culture.
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
