Overvalued ring highlights 24 carat tourist trap

IT was the eternity ring Marion O’Sullivan had always dreamed of. Five sparkling diamonds set in a gold band, which shone all the brighter in the Lanzarote sunshine. The ideal 16th wedding anniversary and 40th birthday present rolled into one.

Despite some concerns about what kind of guarantee she would have about the quality of the ring, she and her husband Joe bought it for €2,350 on the last day of their holiday - down from an initial price of €2,678.

First thing on the following Monday morning, in the cold, harsh light of an Irish day, a jeweller told her the one-carat diamond ring was worth €1,500, €850 less than she had paid.