FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
MajorsJan 04, 2019
Roberto Coin Sues Dealer After Retailers Pull Jade Line
The popular Italian brand is at odds with former partner Kings Stone over certification of the brand’s black jade jewelry.
Roberto Coin has filed a lawsuit against New York-based stone dealer Kings Stone regarding the latter’s claims the jeweler misrepresented certification of the black jade used in its designs. Pictured here is a cuff and huggie hoop earrings featuring black jade and diamonds in 18-karat rose gold, introduced by Roberto at the January 2018 Vicenzaoro show.
New York—Roberto Coin Inc. and Kings Stone are embroiled in a lawsuit amid allegations that the former misrepresented certification of the stones in its black jade jewelry line.
According to court documents, Roberto Coin and Kings Stone started discussions about the latter providing black jade to the jeweler in 2012, and Roberto Coin began placing significant orders shortly thereafter.
As Kings Stone began supplying black jade to Roberto Coin, it also provided certifications from China’s National Gemstone Testing Center stating the stones were amphibole jade.
Kings Stone owner Joseph Goldstein claims the company continues to be the only supplier of NGTC-certified black amphibole in the world.
In mid-2014, Roberto Coin terminated the partnership and started using a new supplier of black jade for its designs.
Goldstein said he discovered in early 2018 that Roberto Coin was still marketing the black jade line as “black amphibole jade certified by the NGTC,” despite the termination of their partnership.
He then approached multiple retailers that carry the line, asking them to verify the NGTC certification of the material, which, Goldstein claims, they could not.
Shortly after, a few major retailers, including Borsheims and Bloomingdale’s, pulled the black jade jewelry line from their showcases.
Borsheims and Macy’s Inc., which owns Bloomingdale’s, both told National Jeweler they don’t comment on pending litigation.
Following the retailers’ decision to pull the line, Roberto Coin filed a complaint against Kings Stone and Goldstein in July 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, alleging false advertising and deceptive business practices in violation of federal and state law.
According to the complaint, Goldstein told Roberto Coin that he intended to file a consumer class action again the company for selling jewelry containing “non-authentic” black jade.
It also alleges he made “false and misleading statements” that the black jade in its jewelry was “non-authenticated” and threatened the brand’s retail customers with consumer class action if they continued to carry the line.
Roberto Coin said in its complaint that it has reports from several gemological labs certifying the black jade used in its jewelry.
When it switched suppliers in 2014, the company claims the new supplier, CaterG, provided them with an analysis from Hong Kong Gems Laboratory calling the material “natural amphibole material,” as well as additional lab analyses certifying that the material was “amphibole jade” or “black nephrite jade” (nephrite is part of the amphibole mineral group).
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The new supplier also sent a sample of its black jade to NGTC in April 2018, after Goldstein started approaching the retailers, and the lab confirmed that the stones are amphibole jade, the brand said in its lawsuit.
“RCI always has conducted its business in accordance with the highest standards. It strongly disputes the claims by Joseph Goldstein and Kings Stone,” attorney Gayle Pollack of Morrison Cohen said in a statement provided to National Jeweler.
“In fact, RCI filed a lawsuit against them to stop them from continuing their false advertising campaign. Rather than try this case in the media, RCI looks forward to being vindicated in court.”
Goldstein filed a counterclaim in August 2018, alleging the jewelry brand has engaged in fraud regarding the marketing and sales of its black jade jewelry.
The claim states that Kings Stone is the only supplier of NGTC-certified black amphibole jade and that Roberto Coin misrepresented the black jade it sold.
Goldstein also claims the NGTC has confirmed that no other suppliers have received certification for black amphibole jade prior to April 2018, when CaterG sent its material to the lab to be certified black amphibole jade, meaning any use of vocabluary around NGTC certification by Roberto Coin between the time the company terminated its relationship with Kings Stone and April 2018 would have been unlawful.
The counterclaim also notes that when Goldstein asked the retailers to provide proof of NGTC certification, they could not, instead sending a pamphlet from Roberto Coin describing the certification.
The NGTC did not respond to an email asking for clarification about the certification by press time.
Goldstein gave the following statement to National Jeweler: “In all of the legal paperwork filed, not once did Roberto Coin refute the fact that they had used the NGTC for four years straight for their black jade without it actually being certified by the NGTC.
“Roberto Coin could easily settle this allegation very simply—by just producing the NGTC certs used for four years on his black jade and the lawsuit would disappear. Instead, they continue to avoid the fraud issue itself and claim that they are above reproach due to their stellar reputation. No one is above the law—not even Roberto Coin.”
Kings Stone is seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting Roberto Coin from marketing its black jade jewelry with “false representations” that it has obtained certificates from the NGTC, “unless and until (it) has obtained NGTC certifications.”
In addition to monetary damages, Roberto Coin is seeking a permanent injunction preventing Goldstein and his company from “attacking the ‘authenticity’ of the jade” in its jewelry, and wants him to be required to provide “corrective” advertising to each of its retail customers he has contacted.
“RCI always has conducted its business in accordance with the highest standards. It strongly disputes the claims by Joseph Goldstein and Kings Stone,” attorney Gayle Pollack of Morrison Cohen said in a statement provided to National Jeweler.
“In fact, RCI filed a lawsuit against them to stop them from continuing their false advertising campaign. Rather than try this case in the media, RCI looks forward to being vindicated in court.”
Goldstein filed a counterclaim in August 2018, alleging the jewelry brand has engaged in fraud regarding the marketing and sales of its black jade jewelry.
The claim states that Kings Stone is the only supplier of NGTC-certified black amphibole jade and that Roberto Coin misrepresented the black jade it sold.
Goldstein also claims the NGTC has confirmed that no other suppliers have received certification for black amphibole jade prior to April 2018, when CaterG sent its material to the lab to be certified black amphibole jade, meaning any use of vocabluary around NGTC certification by Roberto Coin between the time the company terminated its relationship with Kings Stone and April 2018 would have been unlawful.
The counterclaim also notes that when Goldstein asked the retailers to provide proof of NGTC certification, they could not, instead sending a pamphlet from Roberto Coin describing the certification.
The NGTC did not respond to an email asking for clarification about the certification by press time.
Goldstein gave the following statement to National Jeweler: “In all of the legal paperwork filed, not once did Roberto Coin refute the fact that they had used the NGTC for four years straight for their black jade without it actually being certified by the NGTC.
“Roberto Coin could easily settle this allegation very simply—by just producing the NGTC certs used for four years on his black jade and the lawsuit would disappear. Instead, they continue to avoid the fraud issue itself and claim that they are above reproach due to their stellar reputation. No one is above the law—not even Roberto Coin.”
Kings Stone is seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting Roberto Coin from marketing its black jade jewelry with “false representations” that it has obtained certificates from the NGTC, “unless and until (it) has obtained NGTC certifications.”
In addition to monetary damages, Roberto Coin is seeking a permanent injunction preventing Goldstein and his company from “attacking the ‘authenticity’ of the jade” in its jewelry, and wants him to be required to provide “corrective” advertising to each of its retail customers he has contacted.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
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
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
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.
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.
