The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Customs Agents in Kentucky Seize $90M in Counterfeit Jewelry
Included in the bust were 3,200 fake Cartier bracelets law enforcement officials traced to a North Carolina church pastor.

Louisville, Ky.—Since mid-July, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Express Consignment Operations hub in Louisville, Kentucky have seized counterfeit jewelry that would be worth $90 million if genuine.
According to a CBP statement Wednesday, officers seized three large shipments of counterfeit bracelets in July—in a picture provided by the CBP one of the seizures, the items look to be copies of Cartier’s iconic Love bracelet—totaling more than $42 million.
The goods were traced to a North Carolina church pastor, JianGang “Frank” Lan, who was found to have more than 3,200 fake Cartier bracelets.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall charged Lan with felony criminal use of a counterfeit trademark on Aug. 2, said CBP. He was being held under $25,000 bond in the Orange County Jail as of Wednesday.
“When purchasing items from a vendor over the internet if it seems like too good of a deal, it is,” Thomas Mahn Jr., Louisville port director, said in a statement. “A Cartier bracelet listed online for $25 is definitely not authentic.”
The next large find came in September, when officers seized five shipments of counterfeit jewelry, which would be worth more than $48 million if they were genuine, according to the agency.
Mahn noted that counterfeit jewelry is often forged with lead and other hazardous materials.
“These seizures protect the rights of the intellectual property rights holder, health and safety of Americans, and the reputation of online marketplaces involved in these transactions,” he said.
CBP’s Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program combats the importation of counterfeit merchandise, which the agency said is behind significant revenue loss, damage to the U.S. economy, and a threat to the public’s health and safety.
The agency said its officers seized $3.7 million in counterfeit goods per day in 2018.
CBP advised anyone with information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity to contact the agency via the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
IPR violations can be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center via its website or by calling 1-866-IPR-2060.
The Latest

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.


The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.