FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
MajorsDec 13, 2017
Swarovski Sued for Copyright Infringement in US
Galatea claims the crystal company copied its “Two in One Heart” design.
At left is Galatea’s “Two in One Heart” design; at right is a post from the Swarovski Instagram account that was included in the lawsuit and features a bangle that employs the design that allegedly infringes on Two in One Heart.
Los Angeles--A California-based jewelry company has filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit against Swarovski North America Ltd. for allegedly ripping off one of its designs.
Galatea Jewelry Corp. was started by jewelry designer and inventor Chi Huynh, whose innovations include the Momento line of pearl jewelry embedded with near-field communication technology.
The copyright infringement lawsuit against Swarovski, filed Dec. 4 in federal court in Los Angeles, is over a design Chi created in 2009 called the “Two in One Heart.”
It is described in court documents as “a unique and original abstract jewelry design” created by Chi to “capture his vision of love as a union of two individuals, at once both separate and together.”
The design, which gives the “optical illusion of a single heart comprised of two overlapping hearts formed from the same contiguous loop of metal,” was copyrighted in the United States in early 2010.
Six years later, as part of its Valentine’s Day collection, Swarovski began advertising and selling the pendants and bangles that Galatea alleges are a copy of Two in One Heart after altering the design slightly by horizontally flipping it, covering a larger portion with crystals (not diamonds, as Galatea uses), and tapering the points and rounding the edges, the lawsuit states.
Since 2016, Swarovski has continued to manufacture, distribute, promote and sell the design nationwide in the United States through its website, brick-and-mortar stores and third-party distributors such as Macy’s and Amazon.com.
“Swarovski has repeatedly highlighted the infringing products in its marketing and sales efforts for major shopping holidays, including Mother’s Day 2016, Valentine’s Day 2017 and, most recently, Cyber Monday 2017,” the lawsuit states.
Swarovski has its North American headquarters in Cranston, Rhode Island.
The company said it does not comment on pending litigation but added: “Swarovski takes any possible allegations of potential intellectual property infringements very seriously, and we are currently investigating the claim. As a responsible corporate citizen Swarovski certainly respects others’ rights in their business. This commitment has been embedded in the way we do business since 1895.”
In addition to Swarovski North America Ltd., Galatea names Swarovski Retail Ventures Ltd., Swarovski Digital Business USA Inc. and Swarovski Crystallized LLC as defendants in the lawsuit.
Galatea is asking the court to stop Swarovski from making jewelry that it claims infringes on its Two of One Heart designs; to recall, remove and return from commercial distribution any products with this design and destroy them; and to
award it monetary damages.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
