CrimeSep 19, 2023
Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison Following Bear Spray RobberyCrimeSep 25, 2023
Oregon Jeweler Accused of Selling Lab-Grown Diamonds as Natural
Police say Douglas Wayne Gamble also swapped natural diamonds for synthetic stones and failed to return customers’ repairs.
Douglas Wayne Gamble, owner of Timeless Jewelers in Salem, Oregon, faces 11 counts of theft related to stone swapping, diamond misrepresentation and failure to return repairs, police said.
Salem, Ore.—A jeweler in Salem, Oregon, remains behind bars for allegedly bilking customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by mispresenting lab-grown stones as natural diamonds and failing to return jewelry left for repair, among other charges.
According to a news release from the Salem Police Department, 57-year-old Douglas Wayne Gamble, owner of now-closed Timeless Jewelers, faces five counts of aggravated theft and six counts of theft in the first degree.
In Oregon, aggravated theft is a Class B felony involving stolen property worth $10,000 or more, while theft in the first degree is a Class C felony in which the property stolen is valued at more than $1,000.
Police said they first became aware there was a potential problem with the jeweler in late 2022 when 10 people who worked with Gamble to consign, design, or repair their jewelry reported they had lost money or property.
Some customers said lab-grown diamonds were sold to them as natural diamonds, or that the diamonds in their jewelry were swapped with synthetic stones.
Other customers said they never received jewelry they purchased or never got back pieces they left at Timeless Jewelers for repair, police said.
Related stories will be right here …
According to a news release from the Salem Police Department, 57-year-old Douglas Wayne Gamble, owner of now-closed Timeless Jewelers, faces five counts of aggravated theft and six counts of theft in the first degree.
In Oregon, aggravated theft is a Class B felony involving stolen property worth $10,000 or more, while theft in the first degree is a Class C felony in which the property stolen is valued at more than $1,000.
Police said they first became aware there was a potential problem with the jeweler in late 2022 when 10 people who worked with Gamble to consign, design, or repair their jewelry reported they had lost money or property.
Some customers said lab-grown diamonds were sold to them as natural diamonds, or that the diamonds in their jewelry were swapped with synthetic stones.
Other customers said they never received jewelry they purchased or never got back pieces they left at Timeless Jewelers for repair, police said.
The store closed suddenly in October 2022 without notifying customers or returning jewelry that had been dropped off on consignment or for repair.
The Salem Police Department said $250,000 is its “conservative” estimate of losses in the case.
Gamble surrendered to Salem Police Department detectives on Sept. 15. He remained in custody as of Sept. 22, the Polk County Jail confirmed.
His attorney, Kyle Dundas of Miller Bradley Law LLC, could not be reached for comment.
Gamble’s bail is set at $100,000.
More on Crime
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
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.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
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.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
