Nazem Kadri and his wife, Ashley Cave, are suing a Toronto jeweller alleging a diamond ring the couple bought for their wedding isn't worth anywhere near what they were led to believe. The lawsuit states the couple was told the ring was worth between $200,000 retail and $435,000 appraisal value when it's actually worth about $60,000 wholesale and $80,000 retail. They want the $131,000 that they paid for the ring back claiming they were swindled.
The ring was purchased from Van Rijk Jewellers in 2017, a year before Kadri and his wife got married. The owner, Arthur Birnbaum, told the National Post the couple "got exactly what they bargained for" and that the lawsuit has "has no merit whatsoever."
According to the Post, Kadri and his wife sent the diamond to a U. S. jeweller for verification and “a similar diamond and setting was found to be worth only $80,000 and wholesale was closer to $60,000.” The lawsuit also alleges Kadri's wife was pressured into buying the diamond by Alanna Chatz, the daughter of Birnbaum, by telling her it “was only available for a limited time” and "It's a steal of a deal. The stone is magnificent."
Birnbaum is flat out denying those accusations and claims American jewellers switched the diamond on the couple. He's expected to file a statement of defense to the suit next month. No word on when the whole thing will end up in court.
Kadri would have been playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the time the ring was purchased. He was traded to Colorado over the summer for Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot.
Source and photo credit: The National Post
