Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, in a ruling Friday, said the gem won't be returned to the Columbiana couple that had bought it as an investment.

It will go to a real estate investment company.

The ruling gives the couple, Craig E. and Hilda Rose Newbold, time to file an appeal. The case itself also could be appealed.

The 4-carat "Fancy Blue" heart-shaped diamond has been the topic of a lawsuit since 2005.

That's when the Newbolds filed suit, naming as defendants Esteco Inc. and the corporation's representatives Luther and Mark Thompson, also of Columbiana.

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