Arrested Jeweler "Switched Natural Diamonds with Lab Growns"
September 28, 23
(IDEX Online) - A jeweler has been arrested after customers complained that natural diamonds in items left for repair had been replaced with lab growns.
Douglas Wayne Gamble, 57, is also accused of selling lab growns as natural diamonds, and of failing to return items sent for repair at his Timeless Jeweler store in Sale, Oregon, USA.
Police believe he cheated customers out of at least $250,000. Gamble surrendered to detectives without incident on 15 September and is being held on five charges of aggravated theft and six of first-degree theft.
The Salem Police Department sasy10 victims reported the loss of money and property when doing business with Gamble.
"In some cases, customers reported lab-grown stones were sold to them as natural diamonds, or diamond jewelry settings were swapped with synthetic stones," it said a press release.
"Other customers reported never receiving purchased items or pieces left with the shop for repair, or other services."
The store closed unexpectedly closed last October without notification to customers or the return of their property