On July 26, jewelry house Verragio filed a lawsuit against online retailer The Art of Jewels and Fine Art LLC for allegedly selling knockoffs of its ring designs — specifically its trademarked Verragio Crest design. The suit in the US District Court for the Northern District of California accused the retailer of copyright infringement, trademark counterfeiting and infringement, and unfair competition. The defendant company did not respond to Rapaport Magazine’s multiple requests for comment. Here, Verragio founder Barry Verragio speaks about his experience.
How did you first come to suspect Verragio’s designs had been copied?
Verragio’s designs are crafted to be instantly recognizable, with distinctive elements that set them apart from anything else in the market, [so] spotting copies is often straightforward; even our customers can easily identify a Verragio design when they see it. Our team regularly monitors both online platforms and physical marketplaces, and while some copies attempt subtle changes, many are blatant enough to stand out to anyone who knows Verragio’s artistry.
What sort of impact do you believe copying designs has on your business?
Being an innovator means being imitated, but it’s an unfortunate cost to our brand, our partners, and our loyal customers. The heart and time invested into bringing a new design to life are incalculable. These aren’t just products; they’re crafted legacies. Copycats not only diminish our work, but threaten the very essence of what makes Verragio unique…. I started this company specifically because I saw a void in the bridal marketplace. The bridal rings should be as unique as the couple wearing them.
How does it affect you and your employees?
The emotional toll of seeing our work imitated goes beyond business; it strikes at the core of why we create. Designing is a labor of love, driven by a desire to innovate, inspire, and elevate an art form. We put so much care into our designs. For example, we look at the spacing of our signature beading and consider how the jeweler is going to polish our filigree. When others opt for the “copy-paste” route, using cheaper materials to capitalize on our vision, it can feel like a betrayal of the craft itself. But it’s also what drives us forward. To be copied is to lead, and we owe it to our customers, our industry and our legacy to rise above.
Was your July lawsuit the first copyright-related suit you’ve filed?
This is not our first battle, and it likely won’t be our last. Over the years, we’ve faced countless attempts to dilute what makes Verragio unique. But taking swift action isn’t just about protecting our designs. It’s about upholding the very essence of luxury and artistry in the jewelry world.
How big an issue do you feel copying is in the industry?
Copying has regrettably become the primary business model for many in the jewelry industry. Some brands build entire operations around borrowed ideas, producing “almost” versions of authentic designs with lower-quality materials and inferior craftsmanship. These are not creators; they are opportunists, and the market can tell the difference.
Main image: Engagement rings from the Tradition collection showing Verragio’s signature design flourishes. (Verragio)
