False advertising is alleged in suit against Jewelry Television

A California woman has filed a $5-million lawsuit against Jewelry Television, accusing the home-shopping channel of false advertising.

Marliese Weed claims in the lawsuit filed May 23 in U.S. District Court in San Diego that Knoxville-based Jewelry Television sold gemstones described as rare and expensive red or green andesine labradorites.

Weed said the items were actually colorless or yellow common feldspar that had been chemically treated.

The lawsuit is seeking class-action status, estimating thousands of customers purchased the questionable gemstones.

In a statement, Jewelry Television acknowledged Monday that it had discovered one of its sources for the gemstone treated the stone.

The company said it shared that information with its customers and had acted responsibly.