Diamond Necklace

Published on 19/07/09

Two heirs of a wealthy liquour executive in Louisville Kentucky are arguing in court that their father was defrauded by a jeweler who sold him a diamond and emerald necklace.

Retired Brown-Forman Corporation chairman Robinson S. Brown Jr. had sought out the prized piece of jewelry to honor his wife, who died in 2004.

Jeweler Jim Jackson found a necklace that had 42 carats of emeralds and 300 diamonds. The Courier-Journal reports that Jackson sold it to Brown in March 2005 for $800,000.

After Brown died, his two sons, Robinson S. Brown III and J. McCauley "Mac" Brown, sought to sell it, but said the appraisals were far lower than what their father paid for it.

The brothers are arguing in a civil trial in Jefferson Circuit Court that Jackson committed fraud against their father. The trial continues on Monday.