AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
CrimeJan 13, 2021
CA Man Sentenced in $147M Mining, Digital Currency Scam
Steven Chen got 10 years in prison for his role in a scheme to solicit money from investors using a fake digital currency backed by gemstones mined from non-existent sites.
Los Angeles—A California man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for his role in a scheme to cheat investors out of millions using a fake digital currency backed by gemstones.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced Monday that 63-year-old Steven Chen of Bradbury, California pleaded guilty in June 2020 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.
Chen was the owner and CEO of a company called U.S. Fine Investment Arts (USFIA), as well as six other companies that used the same address.
The attorney’s office said from July 2013 to September 2015, Chen, or “Boss” as he was also known, solicited investments in USFIA, ultimately obtaining about $147 million from 72,000 victims in what the office has called “one of the largest pyramid schemes ever prosecuted in [that] district.”
He falsely promoted USFIA as a successful multi-level marketing company that extracted amber and other gemstones from non-existent mines the company claimed to own in the United States, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Mexico.
Chen promoted his scam, prosecutors said, through a scheme in which compensation for recruiting other investors came primarily from new USFIA investor payments.
The investors were duped into buying investment “packages” ranging in price between $1,000 and $30,000, with each package supposedly comprised of amber and other gemstones as well as USFIA “points,” which could be converted into shares in the company when it went public.
Chen, however, never intended for the business to go public, the attorney’s office said.
USFIA also offered other bonuses, like cash, travel, luxury cars and homes, to investors who recruited others.
Starting in September 2014, Chen and others changed the promotion by offering “Gem Coins” instead of points.
They falsely ensured the coins were a legitimate digital currency backed by the company’s gemstone holdings. Chen also lied about the coins already being in wide circulation in the jewelry and finance industries.
According to prosecutors, USFIA did not generate any “significant revenue” from its business operations, apart from selling the investment packages.
It also said the amber and other gemstones provided in the packages—which Chen and his associates claimed they were mining—were bought from domestic and international suppliers and given “grossly inflated” prices.
And the “Gem Coins” were not circulated in any industry, weren’t accepted by any merchants and, essentially, have no economic value.
The
attorney’s office said Chen also committed tax evasion when he reported his gross income in 2014 as $138,015, when it was actually was about $4.8 million, for which he owes nearly $1.9 million before interest and penalties.
U.S. District Judge John F. Walter, who handled Chen’s sentencing, ordered him to pay $1.9 million in restitution to the IRS and the judge scheduled a July 16 restitution hearing for USFIA investors who were victimized in the scheme.
Meanwhile, 54-year-old Leonard Stacy Johnson of Huntington Beach, California, whom prosecutors say helped promote USFIA and Gem Coins under Chen’s direction, pleaded guilty in July 2019 to one count of tax evasion and one count of making a false statement on an immigration document.
Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 24.
U.S. District Judge John F. Walter, who handled Chen’s sentencing, ordered him to pay $1.9 million in restitution to the IRS and the judge scheduled a July 16 restitution hearing for USFIA investors who were victimized in the scheme.
Meanwhile, 54-year-old Leonard Stacy Johnson of Huntington Beach, California, whom prosecutors say helped promote USFIA and Gem Coins under Chen’s direction, pleaded guilty in July 2019 to one count of tax evasion and one count of making a false statement on an immigration document.
Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 24.
More on Crime
The Latest
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
