IndependentsApr 28, 2021
After 72 Years, This Philly-Area Institution Is Closing IndependentsMay 06, 2021
Harris Jewelry Closes All Locations
The jeweler will continue to operate online and via phone.
Harris Jewelry closed its remaining locations last month as the COVID-19 pandemic weighed on sales. (Image courtesy of Harris Jewelry’s Facebook page)
Hauppauge, N.Y.—Harris Jewelry has shuttered all of its stores in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting its business online.
The New York-based chain, which caters to members of the military and their families, closed all 18 locations as of last month, according to a weekly alert from the Jewelers Board of Trade.
The retailer closed six locations earlier in the year, recently followed by the 12 remaining stores in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
“On or about April 11, Harris made the difficult decision to close all of our remaining retail locations,” the company said in a statement to National Jeweler. “Our stores were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, resulting in a steep decline in sales.”
The jeweler, founded in 1955 by U.S. Marine and World War II veteran Jerome L. Harris, will continue to operate online and via phone.
“For over 65 years, Harris has been providing military personnel and their families memorable gift- giving experiences, convenient payment options, and exceptional customer service. That remains our mission to this day,” said the company.
The closures follow a string of legal battles, including an ongoing complaint from the New York State Attorney General’s office.
Related stories will be right here …
The New York-based chain, which caters to members of the military and their families, closed all 18 locations as of last month, according to a weekly alert from the Jewelers Board of Trade.
The retailer closed six locations earlier in the year, recently followed by the 12 remaining stores in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
“On or about April 11, Harris made the difficult decision to close all of our remaining retail locations,” the company said in a statement to National Jeweler. “Our stores were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, resulting in a steep decline in sales.”
The jeweler, founded in 1955 by U.S. Marine and World War II veteran Jerome L. Harris, will continue to operate online and via phone.
“For over 65 years, Harris has been providing military personnel and their families memorable gift- giving experiences, convenient payment options, and exceptional customer service. That remains our mission to this day,” said the company.
The closures follow a string of legal battles, including an ongoing complaint from the New York State Attorney General’s office.
An October 2018 lawsuit filed by the state attorney general alleged the retailer marked up its jewelry between 600 and 1,000 percent and misled service members so they would sign financing agreements with high interest rates.
About 90 to 95 percent of all transactions at Harris Jewelry were financed through its “proprietary” financing, as per court documents. The service was provided under the name Consumer Adjustment Corp. USA, which was an “alter ego” of Harris Jewelry rather than an outside company, a fact that was “never clearly disclosed to the consumer.”
In response, Harris called the lawsuit “broadly inaccurate, baseless, and overreaching” and said it “operates in full compliance with the laws that regulate its industry.”
Though six of the eight counts against Harris Jewelry were tossed out in April 2019, one was reinstated on appeal. That count alleged the jeweler “operated a ‘credit services business’ in a manner that violated general business law.”
The company settled another lawsuit in June 2020 with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office that also accused the jeweler of misleading credit practices.
A court filing stated that the jeweler misled service members into “believing that their products are an easy way to build and restore credit” and that the jeweler “profited significantly as a result of these misrepresentations.”
The terms of the settlement included $800,000 in debt relief and refunds to its customers.
Harris Jewelry neither admitted to or denied the allegations in the Tennessee suit, but said it hoped the settlement would put an end to the matter.
More on Independents
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media EtiquetteSocial media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal GenèveIn 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' SequelThe second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
