Post by Moon Seeker on Sept 3, 2008 13:57:32 GMT -5
Suit Calls Attention To Fake Native American Jewelry
Local Business Defends Its Merchandise
POSTED: 9:53 pm MDT September 2, 2008
UPDATED: 10:24 am MDT September 3, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Deals of pricey Native American jewelry at a big bargain of 50 to 70 percent off are now part of a lawsuit filed by the attorney general's office.
The suit claims a couple of Santa Fe businesses have been selling Native American pieces -- the only problem Native Americans did not make the jewelry, according to the state.
Local Native Americans weighed in on the issue.
"Our families handed this artwork down from generation to generation," Patricia Anderson said.
Anderson's family has been selling jewelry on Santa Fe's plaza for decades.
"This is our livelihood. This is what we enjoy doing," Anderson said.
But what many are not enjoying are counterfeits creeping into the business.
"Non-natives are making Indian-style jewelry and they are claiming it to be Indian jewelry. That's fraud," Anderson said.
According to the attorney general's office, it is that kind of fraud that is happening at two local businesses. One of the accused business owners said the lawsuit has it all wrong.
"I stand behind my merchandise. I guarantee the authenticity of my merchandise," Saleh Jada said.
Jada works at Golden Bear Trading. The attorney general's office is focusing on business claiming it has evidence that on three occasions between September 2007 and June 2008 jewelry labeled as the work of renowned Navajo artist Calvin Begay was sold there.
However, the lawsuit states the pieces were not Begay's and not even made by Native Americans. But instead, it was imported from either a foreign country or a facility in Gallup.
"These were sold to me as Calvin Begay's and I am standing behind them. I trust the people that sold them to me," Jada said.
Another business around the corner, Santa Fe Indian jewelry is accused of selling at least four pieces as Begay's that carried the artist's signature. But again the state said they were fakes.
That business had no comment, but the allegations left Anderson with plenty to say.
"It makes me very angry and it hurts that people take advantage of us like that," Anderson said.
Golden Bear Trading said they plan to fight the lawsuit and said they buy directly from several artists and some pieces are purchased through Gallup studios that they said represent Begay.
The suit asks that the two businesses in question close their stores until they accurately identify authentic Indian handmade jewelry and mark their inventory with the actual retail price.
The suit also seeks restitution for past customers.
www.koat.com/news/17375713/detail.html?rss=alb&psp=news
Local Business Defends Its Merchandise
POSTED: 9:53 pm MDT September 2, 2008
UPDATED: 10:24 am MDT September 3, 2008
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Deals of pricey Native American jewelry at a big bargain of 50 to 70 percent off are now part of a lawsuit filed by the attorney general's office.
The suit claims a couple of Santa Fe businesses have been selling Native American pieces -- the only problem Native Americans did not make the jewelry, according to the state.
Local Native Americans weighed in on the issue.
"Our families handed this artwork down from generation to generation," Patricia Anderson said.
Anderson's family has been selling jewelry on Santa Fe's plaza for decades.
"This is our livelihood. This is what we enjoy doing," Anderson said.
But what many are not enjoying are counterfeits creeping into the business.
"Non-natives are making Indian-style jewelry and they are claiming it to be Indian jewelry. That's fraud," Anderson said.
According to the attorney general's office, it is that kind of fraud that is happening at two local businesses. One of the accused business owners said the lawsuit has it all wrong.
"I stand behind my merchandise. I guarantee the authenticity of my merchandise," Saleh Jada said.
Jada works at Golden Bear Trading. The attorney general's office is focusing on business claiming it has evidence that on three occasions between September 2007 and June 2008 jewelry labeled as the work of renowned Navajo artist Calvin Begay was sold there.
However, the lawsuit states the pieces were not Begay's and not even made by Native Americans. But instead, it was imported from either a foreign country or a facility in Gallup.
"These were sold to me as Calvin Begay's and I am standing behind them. I trust the people that sold them to me," Jada said.
Another business around the corner, Santa Fe Indian jewelry is accused of selling at least four pieces as Begay's that carried the artist's signature. But again the state said they were fakes.
That business had no comment, but the allegations left Anderson with plenty to say.
"It makes me very angry and it hurts that people take advantage of us like that," Anderson said.
Golden Bear Trading said they plan to fight the lawsuit and said they buy directly from several artists and some pieces are purchased through Gallup studios that they said represent Begay.
The suit asks that the two businesses in question close their stores until they accurately identify authentic Indian handmade jewelry and mark their inventory with the actual retail price.
The suit also seeks restitution for past customers.
www.koat.com/news/17375713/detail.html?rss=alb&psp=news