Seized: $25m of Fake Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels Jewelry

US customs officers seized five shipments of counterfeit Cartier and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry mostly from China, with a combined “if genuine” value of over $25m.

Almost 2,200 items – rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces – were intercepted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville, Kentucky, as they arrived in the country.

The first shipment arrived from China on 19 June, heading to a residence in Pennsylvania. Officers seized 318 bracelets with fake Cartier trademarks.

The second arrived the same day from Hong Kong, destined for a residence in Tampa with 490 necklaces, 205 pair of earrings, and 80 rings, all with fake Van Cleef and Arpels trademarks.

Three more shipments arrived from China the following day containing 800 “Cartier” bracelets. Two shipments were heading to a residence in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the other was heading to Michigan.

The 2,193 items were deemed to bear counterfeit marks,” the CBP said. “Had these goods been genuine, the five shipments would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price of over $25.32m.”

LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations, Chicago field office, said: “Intellectual property theft threatens America’s economic vitality and funds criminal activities and organized crime.

“When consumers purchase counterfeit goods, legitimate companies lose revenue, which can force those companies to cut jobs. Our officers are dedicated to protecting private industry and consumers by removing these kinds of shipments from our commerce.”

Source: DCLA

Bonhams to Offer $100K Cartier Diamond Ring

 

A Cartier diamond ring is set to lead the upcoming Bonhams jewelry sale in California, where it is expected to bring in up to $100,000.

The center stone is a rectangular step-cut, 3.89-carat, H-color, VS2-clarity diamond flanked by tapered baguette emeralds. It’s the star of the July 18 California Jewels auction, Bonhams said Monday.

“The lots offered highlight craftsmanship from leading names in jewelry that will entice…aficionados and collectors everywhere,” noted Emily Waterfall, director of the jewelry department at Bonhams in Los Angeles.

The auction will feature a ring bearing an emerald-cut, 9.70-carat, fancy-intense-yellow, VS2-clarity diamond with an upper estimate of $90,000. A second ring, with a round brilliant-cut, 4.12-carat, F-color, VS2-clarity diamond, is expected to fetch up to $70,000.

Meanwhile, a platinum, diamond and sapphire Art Deco bracelet with a presale estimate of $20,000 to $30,000 will be on offer, as will a gold Mario Buccellati bracelet with a high price tag of $20,000. That piece is set with oval sapphire cabochons weighing a total of 4.50 carats, surrounded by rose-cut diamonds and accented by round diamonds weighing about 1.60 carats.

Jewels by well-known designers, including David Webb, Piaget, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels, will also go under the hammer.

Source: DCLA