The morning call., 1891-04-09
PAINTED DIAMONDS.

An Old Scheme Worked on Some New
Orleans jewelers..
The New Orleans public has been victim-
lied, says the TImes-Democrst.
The scheme was one which was years ago
worked often and to advantage by sharpers
whose wits were not as dull as tEer sense
of honor, and whose fear of prison walls
did not deter them from making themselves
amenable 10 the law. 1t has been worked
here before. and people have been cozened
cut of large sums by the cleverness of the
dodge.
The fraud is known as diamond paint
ing" and the jewellers, strange to say. are
often victims. The owners of pledge offices
and pawn-sh0pS have also been fooled by
the Iascals, despite their astuteness in re-
gard to the genuineness of gems aud skill in
approxmating their value at first sight. The
notice that "d almond painting" was being
practiced here again was scattered among
the dealers IN diamonds and jewelry a few
days ago, and WAS brought to the notice of
a representative of the Tlmes-Democrat.
An inquiry into the case was made. and the
fact was established that the scheme had
been worked in the city not later than
Thursday.
A prominent citizen, whose business gives
him an insight into the iewelry business,
was asked for an explanation of the scheme
said that the game was last tried on Thurs
day on well-known money-broker, but
proved unsuccessful. Two men, whose
identity remains unknown, but who the po-
lice claim came from Chicago. visited the
money LENDERS Office One of the men was
rather stout, well-bui and well-dressed
individual, while his companion, though
equally well attired, was not SO much IA
v0red by nature, either as to face or figure.
They had the appearance OF sports" and
gave evidence of having followed the races
by their clothing and manners. The money
broker 'szed them up" as sports" who
were hard up and had come to get an ad-
vance on some jewelry, common occur
renee among the sporting fraternity.
The larger of the men acted as spOkes-
man, and, Offering diamond ring to the
broker, asked him what he would give on
the jewel. While the stone was being ex-
amined the man talked on glibly and at
rapid rate about the hard luck that he and
his "side partner were in, and of the dis
gust they had of Now Orleans. They were
out OF town, had determined upon pledging
or selling the diamond ring, the last of their
effects.
The man looked sad enough to impress
any one, and his companions look of dis
gust was a study. Had the harangue been
made to any enc save an expert in the
value of jewels they would, no doubt, have
attained their end.
While they were engaged in running the
scale of their misfortunes the broker had
not been idle. His practiced eye and knowl-
edge of gems told him at first glance that
while the jewel the men had offered tn
pledge was of seemingly great brliancy
and value, there was something little odd
about it. He suspected some job was ON
foot. and after minute examination dis
covered that the diamond had been painted.
He told the men quietly that he had no de-
sire to advance anything ON the gem, and in
tended to follow them around until he could
fnd an opportunity to have the pair ar
rested. His plan was, however, frus-
trated by the cool manner in which
the men received his refusal, and
led to ons of them, who had shortly
before declared himself broke, /"
offering to bet that the stone was genuine.
This led to a charge OF cTOOkedness being
made by the broker, who was DESTROYS Of
provoking difficulty, so that the men could
be locked up and their identity traced. The
either by chance or fearing arrest, they
eluded the snare and quietly left the place.
II was learned that the men hailed from
Chicago. and had been in the city some two
weeks ago, but, owing to the presence of a
detective who was looking for them, they
accepted pressing invitation elsewhere
and decamped. When they ascertained that
their friend the detective was no longer in
New Orleans, they returned and proceeded
to work" the town Their plan realized
them only couple of thousand dollars, ms
the broker who unmasKed them was among
the first approached, and 1t is due to his
astuteness that jewellers were not more
freely swindled.