MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
IndependentsMar 09, 2014
A lesson on remaining vigilant, even when it’s busy
On a busy afternoon in his store, one Illinois retailer strayed from the normal procedures used when buying diamonds over the counter and ended up with moissanite. He cautions other retailers to take their time when buying merchandise off the street and inspect the metal and stones carefully.
Rockford, Ill.--At Clodius & Co. in Rockford they have store meetings twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
While store security is important year round, it is emphasized during busy holiday seasons, when hours get long, the shop gets packed and employees are tired, factors that combine to increase the likelihood of a crime.
With decades in the business, this is certainly a lesson Mark Clodius, who owns the store with his wife and business partner Monika, knows well. But every lesson bears re-learning from time to time, as the jeweler discovered recently.
In the fall, during a day when the store was packed with people, a gentleman came in to sell a stone that Clodius understood to be a diamond.
Though the retailer normally cleans a stone and takes it in the back for an inspection under the microscope before buying, he didn’t in this case because the atmosphere in the store was so hectic. He notes also that the seller didn’t want the stone out of his sight, which is something that happens occasionally when buying over the counter but not frequently.
So Clodius examined the stone quickly using a loupe, noted that it was singly refractive and gave the man a “super-low offer,” which he took.
It was only after putting the stone in the ultra-sonic cleaning machine for an hour and looking at it more carefully that Clodius discovered exactly why the seller was so insistent that the stone not be subjected to further inspection--it was not a diamond. “After cleaning it and putting the loupe on it I [thought], ‘oh no’ instantly,” he says.
The stone was a moissanite with a flat culet that was abraded, meaning roughed up or worn away, that’s worth about half of what he paid for it. The abrasion masked the fact that the stone was doubly refractive, making it possible to mistake it for an old European cut diamond, which has a flat culet as well, instead of a moissanite.
Clodius believes the culet was abraded deliberately to defraud. (Charles & Colvard CEO Randy McCullough confirmed that the moissanite maker did produce old European cut moissanites at the request of a large wholesale customer but wouldn’t have shipped the stones with an abraded culet. He says they are working with authorities to assist in the investigation.)
The jeweler, who has the seller’s driver’s license
on file, put in an incident report with the Rockford Police Department.
Several other jewelers in the area had been fooled by the same seller, to the extent that the Chicago Jewelers’ Association issued a crime alert and the police department in nearby Schaumberg, Ill., launched an investigation. No charges were ever filed, though, because intent to defraud could not be proven.
Even though criminal charges may never come in these cases, the incident does bring up two important points for jewelers, Clodius says.
The first is for retailers to be aware of any scams criminals are attempting to perpetrate on jewelers, particularly in their area.
The second is for jewelers to establish proper procedures for handling different transactions, including buying goods off the street, and not to make exceptions, no matter how busy the store gets. He says jewelers need to take their time when buying merchandise over the counter and exercise due diligence in inspecting the metal and stones.
“When you are busy is when you can make mistakes,” Clodius says.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to SeattleThe trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
