Calif. woman sues shopping channel over gemstones

A California woman sued Knoxville-based Jewelry Television on May 23, claiming the channel advertised rare, expensive red or green andesine-labradorites that resembled the Oregon sunstone. The suit claims the company actually sold a low-cost yellow or colorless labradorite that had "been given a 'chemical' facelift to make it appear like the rare Oregon sunstone."

Marliese Weed's lawsuit seeks $5 million and class-action status, estimating thousands of customers purchased the gemstones. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in San Diego.

Jewelry Television acknowledged Monday in a statement that it previously discovered one source for the gemstone did treat the stone and shared that information with its customers. It also offered a refund to customers who had bought the gemstones.

"Jewelry Television, like other major retailers, relied upon the lab reports and general industry information," the company's statement said. "Much of the information in the lawsuit is totally incorrect and we are satisfied that Jewelry Television acted completely responsibly and the true facts will vindicate us."