Jacksonville FL.
I went to Antares Diamond Co. On 11/21/05 to place a stunning investment grade 6.47 ct. Tanzanite stone on consignment. I looked around the store and inquired about the store looking so empty (No significant pieces).
Owner Cindy Kappelmann, said she had been robbed recently (inside job) and was waiting for an insurance check. She later said the insurance company reimbursed her $5K on $50K.
That made me suspicious.
Cindy told me she could sell the stone quicker if she mounted it in a setting. When I stopped by to see it mounted a couple of weeks later she said it wasn't a good time because she was in the middle on an inventory. For five months I tried to get my item back but she always had an excuse why I should leave the stone with her a while longer. Christmas, Valentines Day, and "Oh I just had interested buyer look at it yesterday." Used that line on us twice. I stopped by the store four times
and never got to see my tanzanite again.
I finally had enough and told her I would be stopping by to get my tanzanite back. She developed a sudden case of amnesia and couldn't remember my tanzanite, even though it was one of the most expensive pieces in store.
She had "lost" the consignment agreement, certified GIA papers and my stone. I told her I still had my copy of the agreement and wanted my money if she couldn't produce the stone. Sure as heck when I returned to the store she had found the agreement minus the GIA papers. I'm mad as hell that she never called me about losing the stone and was always "off on errands" or with another customer when I called.
Our agreement stated I would net $3,430 after commissions. She made out a check for $2,600 instead, telling me a bold faced lie about my wife agreeing to sell for less.
My wife called her the next day to confront her about the lie, but she was off "hiding" again. Her salesclerk said to stop by the next day for a corrected check. My wife and I pulled into the Antares parking lot the following afternoon and the clerk came bolting
out the door with a check for $3,150. We wanted to ask Cindy about the police report and insurance claim, as well as how she could have been robbed a second time. We were not allowed to enter the store even though we were way too polite throughout the entire ordeal.
Watch out for this one, I doubt she'll be in business much longer. I no psychologist, but I can tell when someone is "not right in the head" along with being a liar and potential thief. I'd love to see her insurance
company reimbursement check for my tanzanite
and the police report.
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