Irish Jeweller Warns Of Flawed Diamonds

Published on 14/05/09

One Irish jeweller is warning people who buy their diamond jewellery abroad at reduced prices that the items may be filled with fractures.

Carol Clarke-Ng, a Dublin-based jeweller, said many young couples come into her shop having bought items overseas and finding out they are flawed, reports the Irish Times.

She said many people buy the diamond jewellery because it is a fifth of the price seen in Irish shops, but added that this often comes at another cost.

"They are very, very bad buys. You could be washing your hands in hot water and the stuff could just seep out," Ms Clarke-Ng told the newspaper.

She says the fracturing filling procedure is where people attempt to make the jewel more attractive with "plasticy resin".

The filler mean the factures in the jewel are less visible and it is not an illegal procedure, but jewellers must tell customers when it has occurred.

This trend is also being seen in Australia, with experts warning it could damage the reputation of the industry and customer trust.