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.
MajorsAug 08, 2018
Samuels Jewelers Files for Bankruptcy
It is the fourth U.S.-based company impacted by the multibillion-dollar bank fraud scandal that erupted in India earlier this year.
Wilmington, Del.—Samuels Jewelers Inc., the Texas-based jewelry chain controlled by Mehul Choksi, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The filing for the 120-store chain comes in the wake of a $1.8 billion bank fraud allegedly perpetrated by Choksi, who is the owner of Samuels parent company Gitanjali Gems, and his nephew, Nirav Modi, both of whom are wanted by Indian authorities.
According to an affidavit filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on Tuesday, the bank scandal Choksi is implicated in “amplified the headwinds” already pounding Samuels Jewelers.
The retailer has seen sales slide and profits shrink in recent years due to competition from discount and online retailers.
When news of the scandal broke, Samuels Jewelers lost a major source of its products and funding in Gitanjali (which, according to court papers, has not been in operation since February), and vendors began to pull out, refusing to supply the retailer with merchandise on consignment.
According to court papers, the retailer is looking to sell itself as a going concern, but, in the meantime, plans to close more than 100 stores and has brought in Gordon Brothers Retail Partners and Hilco Merchant Resources to start selling off inventory in order to begin paying off its debts, which total more than $100 million and include millions owed to Wells Fargo N.A. and GB Credit Partners LLC.
The company also owes millions to vendors and service providers.
Court papers show that Samuels Jewelers’ five largest unsecured creditors are: Exclusive Design Direct Inc., a Sterling Heights, Michigan-based collection agency (owed $9.1 million); Taipinyang Trading Ltd., a Hong Kong company (owed $6.1 million); New York-based lab-grown diamond company GoGreen Diamonds Inc. (owed $5.5 million); New York-based Jewel Evolution Inc. ($2.4 million); and Austin, Texas-based jewelry company Voyager Brands Inc. (owed $973,952).
Samuels Jewelers joins A. Jaffe, Firestar Diamond and Fantasy Inc., which were owned by Nirav Modi, in filing for bankruptcy in the wake of the Indian bank scandal.
A. Jaffe has since has been sold as a going concern, and companies have purchased inventory held by both Fantasy and Firestar.
Tuesday’s filing marks the fourth trip through bankruptcy court for the chain that today is known as Samuels Jewelers, employs 690 people and has stores in 23 states operating under five nameplates: Samuels Jewelers, Rogers Jewelers, Andrews Jewelers, Schubach Jewelers and Samuels Diamonds.
David Blum and Gerson Fox founded the specialty jeweler
in Los Angeles in 1956. Within a few years, it grew from a single store into a regional chain spread throughout southern California.
According to court papers, in the mid-1980s, the chain took advantage of lenient credit standards, increased consumer spending and the rapid expansion of indoor shopping malls to open more stores and acquire Mission Jewelers from Zale Corp. and Samuels Jewelers from Peoples Jewelers.
In the early 1990s, after almost a decade of growth and acquisitions, the company began to experience “financial distress.” It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1992.
It emerged from bankruptcy but was struggling again toward the end of the ‘90s, filing for Chapter 11 for the second time in May 1997.
When it emerged this time, 36 percent of the company was owned by DDJ Capital Management, and its board decided to change the company’s name from Barry’s Jewelers to Samuels Jewelers, its “most successful and, to the consumer, easily recognizable division,” court papers state. They also moved the company headquarters from California to Austin.
The retailer filed Chapter 11 for the third time in August 2003, and Gitanjali Gems bought the retailer shortly thereafter, in December 2006. It later acquired Rogers Ltd. and added Rogers Jewelers and Andrews Jewelers to its stable of U.S. retailers.
Gitanjali merged the two companies in 2010.
According to court papers, in the mid-1980s, the chain took advantage of lenient credit standards, increased consumer spending and the rapid expansion of indoor shopping malls to open more stores and acquire Mission Jewelers from Zale Corp. and Samuels Jewelers from Peoples Jewelers.
In the early 1990s, after almost a decade of growth and acquisitions, the company began to experience “financial distress.” It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 1992.
It emerged from bankruptcy but was struggling again toward the end of the ‘90s, filing for Chapter 11 for the second time in May 1997.
When it emerged this time, 36 percent of the company was owned by DDJ Capital Management, and its board decided to change the company’s name from Barry’s Jewelers to Samuels Jewelers, its “most successful and, to the consumer, easily recognizable division,” court papers state. They also moved the company headquarters from California to Austin.
The retailer filed Chapter 11 for the third time in August 2003, and Gitanjali Gems bought the retailer shortly thereafter, in December 2006. It later acquired Rogers Ltd. and added Rogers Jewelers and Andrews Jewelers to its stable of U.S. retailers.
Gitanjali merged the two companies in 2010.
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.
