30-07-2025
Designer jeweller to Australia's A-List stars is accused of cheating its clients out of THOUSANDS - after consumer bosses warned shoppers: 'Watch out'
A boutique Melbourne jeweller which boasts of its A-list celebrity clients including Sonia Kruger, Bec Judd and Britt Selwood has been rocked by criminal charges.
Shannakian Fine Jewellery is accused of accepting more than $40,000 for high-priced jewellery which never made it into the hands of customers.
Consumer Affairs Victoria has accused company officer Arpee Shannakian, 41, of being behind the alleged scam which left customers without their jewellery.
Ms Shannakian and the company now face eight charges of accepting payment for goods but failing to deliver in time.
Among the key transactions probed by authorities is a ring with a pink sapphire stone sold for $2200 in July 2023.
Other deals allegedly include a $6600 18-carat white gold tennis necklace in August 2023, a $13,500 18-carat diamond tennis necklace in December 2024 and $8000 for two rings in January this year.
The transactions under investigation allegedly totalled $44,643 and occurred between July 2022 and January 2025.
Ms Shannakian aka Arpee Mardiran, who lives in Rowville in Melbourne's south-east, was charged on July 4.
Her husband and Shannakian Fine Jewellery owner Hovig Shannakian is not facing any criminal charges.
Ms Shannakian failed to appear at today's Melbourne Magistrates' Court file hearing and the company will return to court in November.
According to Consumer Affairs, it received more than 70 complaints about the jeweller from customers across Australia and overseas dating back to February 2021.
Customers alleged they paid the business for jewellery including bracelets, necklaces and rings but 'failed to receive their purchases or refunds within a reasonable time or at all'.
The watchdog also alleged some payments for jewellery were deposited into a bank account in Ms Shannakian's name.
In May, Consumer Affairs warned 'anyone wanting to buy jewellery from Shannakian Jewellery to be careful'.
The firm sells custom-made and other jewellery on its website and also to its A-list clientele via appointment at its Collins Street showroom.
The boutique jeweller also sold through its Instagram account - which has more than 25,000 followers - where a parade of celebrities, influencers and AFL WAGs spruiked their designer glamour.
However, activity on the account stopped after Consumer Affairs first issued a public warning on May 22.
Among the celebrities who feature on the jeweller's Instagram page are Dancing with the Stars host Sonia Kruger, former top WAGs Bec Judd and Britt Selwood and My Kitchen Rules glamour Zana Pali.
Gold Logie winner Sonia Kruger appears in several posts of her wearing Shannakian jewellery at the Logies.
One Shannakian Fine Jewellery post congratulated Ms Kruger for her 2023 Gold Logie win
'Our girl wins the 2023 GOLD LOGIE... Congratulations to the most deserving, hard working, talented woman in the industry,' it read.
'We are so happy for you Sonia, and the entire team are honoured to have been on your journey! WOWSERS, now we celebrate.'
Shane Warne's daughter Brooke also appeared on Instagram wearing what the jeweller said was a custom-made 'Lucky Number 23' chain to honour her late dad.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett's wife Alexandra Merrett also appeared, as did GWS Giants' star Toby Greene's fiancée Georgia Stirton.
Ms Stirton was photographed wearing Shannakian jewellery at the 2024 Brownlow Medal ceremony.
Kahlia Howe, wife of Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe, also wore the shop's bling to the 2024 Brownlow.
And struggling West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly's wife Caitlin Miller was another WAG who wore the jewellery to the Brownlow.
Olivia May, wife of Port Adelaide Power Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines, Talia Zorko, wife of Lions' defender Dayne Zorko and West Coast forward Jamie Cripps' cancer survivor partner Liv Cripps all featured on the jeweller's Instagram page.
Other celebs who wore Shannakian jewellery include Married at First Sight star Selin Mengu, TV presenter Khanh Ong, socialite Elle Baillieu, singer Samantha Jade, The Bachelor star Snezana Wood, model Simone Holtznagel and influencer Amy Pejkovic.
Byron Bay-based influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews regularly featured adorned with Shannakian jewellery.
Pop megastar Delta Goodrem appeared on the Today Show wearing Shannakian jewellery, which the jeweller also shared on Instagram.
TV presenter and journalist Abbey Gelmi was also a regular feature on the Shannakian Instagram page along with cricket mega-WAG, Candace Warner.
Greta Bradman, granddaughter of Australian sporting legend Don Bradman, is featured in a post where Shannakian Fine Jewellery claims she is wearing their jewellery while singing the national anthem at the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Acting Director David Joyner urged consumers to be wary before purchasing Shannakian Fine Jewellery products.
'If you have had a bad experience with Shannakian Fine Jewellery, contact us through our complaint form, email or by calling 1300 55 81 81,' he said.
'In September 2024, after receiving a spike in consumer complaints, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued Shannakian Fine Jewellery an Official Warning, strongly encouraging the business to refund affected consumers and address ongoing consumer complaints.'
Mr Joyner said Consumer Affairs received a further 14 complaints since January, ultimately leading to criminal proceedings.
'The conduct of Shannakian Fine Jewellery has adversely affected the interests of its customers,' he said.
'I urge consumers to be cautious about purchasing goods from Shannakian Fine Jewellery. I also urge any current customers of Shannakian Fine Jewellery to be wary of making further purchases.'
