AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CrimeSep 08, 2016
Jewelry Store Manager Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft
Carlos Torres, of Romano’s Jewelers, was charged in a scheme to defraud Marines by obtaining their personal information and then adding unauthorized charges to their store credit accounts.
San Diego--One of the jewelry store employees charged in a scheme designed to defraud active duty military service personnel has pleaded guilty in the case.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, Carlos Torres, a Romano’s Jewelers store manager, copped to charges of identity theft in a California court this week.
Torres, along with Romano’s Jewelers owner Ramil (Randy) Abalkhad and store employee Nellie Cha Noland, was first charged in the case in March 2015 in California Superior Court following a criminal investigation by the U.S. Marine Corps.
According to the original complaint, Abalkhad told Noland to obtain the social security numbers of active duty military personnel who were customers of Romano’s Jewelers and had credit accounts with the store. Then, Abalkhad told Noland to ask Kymani Tate, who was a Marine at that time, to use the social security numbers to reset the passwords of his fellow Marines’ Defense Finance Account Service (DFAS) MyPay accounts. MyPay functions like a bank account and can be directly linked to other financial accounts so money can be withdrawn to pay bills.
After the passwords were changed, the MyPay accounts were accessed so unauthorized payments could be made to Romano’s Jewelers, court papers state.
Noland was offered $10 for every password that was reset. Tate was offered cash as well and, according to court papers, he was also given jewelry and had his Romano’s Jewelers credit account cleared.
Torres knew about and was involved in the scheme as well, according to the complaint.
NBC 7 San Diego has been reporting on this story from the beginning, as the network used the federal Freedom of Information Act to obtain documents from the 2012 Marine Corps investigation of Tate. He was eventually convicted at a special court martial, fined, spent time in confinement and received a bad conduct discharge.
According to the network, Abalkhad’s trial is set for Nov. 1. Torres and Noland, who pleaded guilty in July 2015, won’t be sentenced until after that time.
R.J. Financial Inc., d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2010.
In July 2015, a judge converted the case to a Chapter 7, forcing the company to liquidate and, ultimately, recover as much money as possible for the creditors. Following the conversion, the Romano’s Jewelers stores in Culver City, Northridge and Downey, Calif. closed. (More Romano’s stores closed prior to the conversion.)
At that time, the Chapter
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
7 trustee appointed to the case, attorney David Seror, told National Jeweler that there were other Romano’s Jewelers stores operating that were not under the R.J. Financial umbrella, including Diamond Trading Lakewood, d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers in the Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood, Calif., and Diamond Trading Glendale, d/b/a Romano’s Jewelers in the Glendale Galleria Mall. He said that Abalkhad was involved in the management of these stores as well.
The Romano’s Jewelers website also lists stores in Northridge and Santa Ana.
Abalkhad’s attorney, A. David Youssefyeh, did not respond to request for comment Wednesday when asked about how the Torres plea might impact his client’s case or Abalkhad’s current involvement with Romano’s Jewelers.
The Romano’s Jewelers website also lists stores in Northridge and Santa Ana.
Abalkhad’s attorney, A. David Youssefyeh, did not respond to request for comment Wednesday when asked about how the Torres plea might impact his client’s case or Abalkhad’s current involvement with Romano’s Jewelers.
The Latest
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
