LISBON — A North Lima couple has filed a lawsuit with their insurance claiming pearls they believed valued at nearly $25,000 when appraised by Kimpel’s Jewelers in 2012, repaired by the same jewelers in 2015 were not found to be genuine in 2017.

Edward and Lucretia Susany are seeking $24,824 in compensatory damages as well as in excess of $100,000 in punitive damages from Selective Insurance Co. of South Carolina in a civil lawsuit filed late last week in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. According to the lawsuit, the 15-inch strand of “South Sea” cultured pearls was a set of 27 individually knotted and with a 14 carat gold clasp. The pearls were reportedly appraised by Kimpel’s Fine Diamonds with the signature of William R. Kimpel, on May 25, 2012.

The Susanys insured the pearls on their homeowners policy, according to the amount of the appraisal and paid the premiums until June 2017. During the summer of 2015, the Susanys took the pearls to Kimpel’s to have the clasp repaired. When the repair was completed, it was paid for and the pearls picked up by Edward Susany.

In May 2017, the pearls were taken to Komara Jewelers for an appraisal and they were told the pearls were not genuine. A claim was filed on the theft of the pearls while the Susanys were having the clasp repaired in 2015, but the claim was denied reportedly claiming the couple had “no direct physical loss.”