Socialite banker wins claim over substandard gems
Socialite banker Philip Ma Ching-yeung has been awarded more than $3.2 million after winning a decade-long fight with a jeweller over substandard rubies used in his wife's wedding adornments.
Mr Ma had claimed a refund of $4.5 million from Emdia Limited, operator of a jewellery store in the Mandarin Oriental hotel in 1994 and 1995.
Mr Ma had visited the store during 1994 and purchased a diamond and platinum engagement ring and a loose diamond to give to his wife-to-be Winnie Chin Wai-yee, whom he was planning to marry in February 1995.
He received an invoice for those items of $805,300 - but never paid it because of problems that arose from his next purchase.
Jeweller Edward Abram had shown Mr Ma a pendant that contained a natural ruby from Myanmar and he ordered a necklace, ring, earrings and bracelet, to match the pendant.
The items were to be worn by Miss Chin - a runner-up at the 1981 Miss Hong Kong pageant - on their wedding day, and would cost $4.5 million.