First Post-Christmas Victim: Christian Bernard Jewelers

May I offer condolences to those dealing with the closing of
Christian Bernard. I workin the jewelry industry, although it is
not CB. I recently fell victim to my store closing without any
notice at all. Went to work Monday and was closed by 2:30pm same
day. I was very fortunate that I had no repairs or
exchanges/lawayays to deal with. But- I DO FEEL VERY UPSET that my
loyal customers have to go elsewhere for service without any notice
or warning. Our district manager was at the store to scan items
out...and offically close the location. It makes me sad to
see....but it opens my eyes to everything else. I have began to
watch the company stocks. They have fallen to an all time
low...less than $1.30/share where last year at this time they were
at $34.00/share. Anyone want to bet that this 'national chain'
jeweler is going out of business????

Janis: most gemologists will be able to ascertain whether your
diamond is a Hearts on Fire. It is usually laser inscribed on the
girdle edge beginning with HOF and requires 10x or more
magnification to read. And as mentioned before, you can contact the
Hearts on Fire website to inquire about a copy of the certificate
or even AGS (American Gem Society), as they are the laboratories
that usually do the diamond quality documents for Hearts on Fire. I
was a vendor for a few Christian Bernard locations and although I
have been paid, the check has bounced. I have contacted the trustee
and will wait and see. I know that the employees didn't know what
hit them and along with their own unemployment they are very
concerned about their customers.

Slava, I really don't know. You should contact the bankruptcy
trustee. His contact details are in my interview with him. Best,
Rob

Rob any news when the jewelers can pick up their tools at the
stores. I've not been able to work for 2 1/2 weeks

Hi ... I just interviewed the bankruptcy trustee, and that should
hopefully answer a lot of questions, Go to the top of this page, or
here: www.jckonline.com/blog/870000287/post/540038854.html.

Yes, ORO VIVO is part of the Christian Bernard group, as far as is
known they are not closing. As for Hearts on Fire, please contact
HOF via their website, however they are in a holding pattern as
well until the liquidators come in and things begin to get sorted
out. the lawyers office is a good place to start, however they are
not always returning phone calls or inquiries right now. To the
clients feeling they were decieved, please know that as a former
employee I am feeling just as decieved, had I known any of the
information that has come to light in the last few days, I would
never had promised warranties, returns or repairs, the integrity I
have and that my staff and all of the CB store staffs have is to
great. We did not know that the company was closing until we were
called on the 25/26 of decemeber.

Ibought a hearts on fire ring or did I? I never received paperwork
and I am not sure that I picked up the ring I was promised. With
the promise of future reset ring and service, I wonder how else I
was deceived.

Who are the owners of this chain? Are they any way associated with
ORO VIVO chain of stores in Europe? Is that closing too? The reason
I ask is because we sold a million worth loose diamonds to buyers
in Hong Kong who claims they are associated with Christian Bernard
and Oro Vivo. They are still buying big lots of diamonds. Your
insight is greatly appreciated.

Here is the contact info to get your merchandise back: The lawyer
handling the case:Charles M. Forman HIS CONTACT INFO: Forman Holt
Eliades & Ravin 80 Route 4 East, Ste 290 Paramus, NJ 07652 T:
201-845-1000/F: 201-845-9112 cforman@formanlaw.com
www.formanlaw.com

All the managers/associates know right now is that hopefully be Jan
15th there will be a liquidator in place. Any merchandise that was
in for repair is NOT the stores property and should be returned to
the customers. We are as stunned as our customers in this
situation, and believe me when I say our first concern in the
conference call that was held with the trustee was what about our
customers repairs and special orders? I advise ANYONE who had a
special order that has not been filled or delivered yet to contact
your local attorney or credit card companys about getting your
money back...there must be some legal way that the company can not
keep the deposits that people put on their orders. Please please
know we are going to try and help in any way that we can, but we do
not have any assurance that the liquidators will hire former
employees and we have bills and mortgages too....please know you
are all in our prayers and we are truly sorry that we were lied to
and are now finding out all the details of what Isabelle and
Tetyana did.

Hey guys ... I just spoke to someone knowledgeable and there should
be some good news (at least within the context of what we're
talking about) and some clearer information in a bit. I hope to
have something soon. But rest assured that people are well aware of
the issues involved here. Best, Rob

Jewelers, We got my custom engagement ring from CB and have a
warrantly with them. Any idea if we can go after CB for the mold of
my ring so that we can have it for future repairs with another
jeweler? Not sure if we have any 'rights' - rings was 30k. Thanks.

If you leave your car at a mechanic that suddenly goes out of
business, your car does not magically become part of the bankruptcy
estate. Special orders are another matter--if you put a deposit on
a ring that has not been completed, you may find yourself in the
same boat as the other unsecured creditors depending on who you're
dealing with.

I have a deposit down on a engagement ring at CB's store in the
walt whitman mall on long island. People were standing outside with
confusion and worry. This is a big inconvience that should be taken
up with the media.

PEOPLE, USUALLY THE BANKS INVOLVED WANT TO HELP THE CONSUMER. I
HAVE DEALT WITH REPAIR AND SPECIAL ORDERS IN THE PAST AND THE BANKS
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE INCOMING FIRM IS USUALLY DO WHAT YOU CAN.
REPAIRS IN PARTICULAR ARE KEPT BY THE COURT APPOINTED TRUSTEE AFTER
THE STORES ARE CLOSED. YOU SHOULD CONTACT THAT TRUSTEE

This story (www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=261900&src=1)
includes a list of suggestions for what to do ... And in this story
(hamptonroads.com/2009/01/jewelers-sudden-shutdown-leaves-customers-jam)
the company's bankruptcy trustee says that a phone line will be up
soon and recommends how to handle it ... That should get you
started ... Good luck ...

I left my wedding ring (15 years old) at the Woodfield Mall
Christian Bernard store to be resized the day before Christmas and
was supposed to get it back on December 27th. I just learned of the
bankruptcy and would like to know what I can do to get my ring
back. It was specially designed and cannot be replaced.

My wife had a new pair of diamond earrings given before Christmas
in to be changed to screw posts at the Fair Oaks Mall store in
Fairfax Virginia. They called and said they were ready but the day
after Christmas the store was closed. How do we make a claim and
retrieve these items? This is not the chain's assets, but ours that
they have in their possession, so such things cannot be

From what I understand, Bank of America unexpectedly called in
their loan the day after Xmas. Everyone was shocked and nobody knew
it was coming.

What ever CB's problems are we in the trade need to learn from this
and go on ward. I have been in this business for over 30 years and
while times are tough you get lean, mean and fight on.
Globalization? what is that? As a retailer and a business man I
sell myself (and my associates) and the emotion that goes along
with the happiness we convey. The internet, blue nile bring 'em on.
I will beat their prices for better quality and hold my customers
hands through the incredible experience of buying a memory that
lasts a lifetime. I sell happiness not a commodity. Be positive,
learn and run a tight ship. Life is good live it well!

From previous business dealings with CB inthe past, i cannot say i
am suprised at this action. They have always displayed an arrogant
attitude and showed no respect towards people.

Someone should point out that Christian Bernard is owned by the
Rev. Moon machine; perhaps employees and customers can take legal
action against the mother ship. Also, in Europe and in other
countries, CB goes to market as a brand sold through non-owned
retailers. Those manufacturing and distribution operations have not
gone out of business as far as anyone knows. Can anyone locate and
apply legal and/or moral pressure at that level?

I just ran across this article and I guess I'll through in my 2
cents. I purchased a diamond engagement ring from Christian Bernard
midway through December for the love of my life. The setting was in
the process of being made and was to be picked up around December
26th. I can't even describe how upset I was that I'll no longer be
able to get the ring. I had everything planned out to ask her to
marry me this January on the anniversary of the day that I told her
I loved her. Unfortunately since I don't have the finances to
procure another ring in time that won't happen. All too often
businesses fail to take into account the humanity of their
customers. Certainly the higher ups at Christian Bernard could have
let people know what was going on but didn't due to some financial
benefit they were able to gain. I don't blame any of the employees
in the store, I'm sure they didn't know either. Now I'm stuck
trying to dispute the charge with my Credit Card company. Words
can't even say just how disappointed I am.....

The sad story for the employees is that we all worked tirelessly
through the holiday...we had not the slightest idea this was
happening behind our backs. The CEO told us just yestersay that she
is in the same boat as we are; out of a job with no resources. Now
we see she knew well before us, and is deceiving us as well. We
were the faces of Christian Bernard! Where will we get the
opportunity to work and not be pointed to as thieves, and those who
took peoples money knowing we would go out of business! We have
gotten screwed on all fronts.

It is no surprise Christian Bernard went bankrupt. The store had no
particular identity, no visual style, and almost no national
marketing. Unfortunately I think there are many more such jewelry
operations that will fall victim to the globalization, Internet
based world in these tough times.

its a shame, we dealt with them for two years they owed us alot of
money, we encouraged them alot last year we realized that they were
paying to slow and we decided to cut them completley, to bad Peter
there buyer was a nice guy. good luck X SUPPLIER

Thanks. Sorry...didn't read the whole thing. We did get information
to contact their bankruptcy attorney and I have left a message and
emailed them regarding the ring. If you want that information I can
forward it to you. Kim

Hi Kim (and any others) ... just to clarify ... this is a blog for
people in the jewelry industry. I don't have any jewelry at CB and
was just repeating someone's comment on my news story. I haven't
talked to people at Christian Bernard, and only know what is in the
bankruptcy papers. But good luck and let us know if you find
anything else ...

Hey Rob, My husband and I took in my engagement ring for repairs
($75) at the Woodfield location in Schaumburg Illinois. He went to
pick it up today and found the store closed? What have you found
out since? Corporate is not answering phones. We did contact our
States Attorney General but looks like we'll be waiting for it for
a LONG time ......Did you just purchase your ring on credit? If so,
you should call your credit card company. We are out of luck.....my
ring is nine years old. I sent emails to local news places seeing
if I can't get some action out of the powers that be at Christian
Bernard but I am not even sure their is anyone to discuss it with
left at the business.