A gemology consultant was jailed for four months on Thursday for misappropriating two diamonds worth $63,000.

Walter Tan Choon Sua, 45, who is also a diamond merchant, pleaded guilty to criminal breach of trust of the two pieces of diamonds belonging to SM Jewels between Dec 17 and 18 last year.

A district court heard that he contacted the director of SM Jewels at Far East Shopping Centre on Dec 17 and requested a piece of two-carat diamond worth about $38,300, purportedly to show to his clients. The diamond was delivered to his office at Bedok Reservoir Road. He signed a memorandum of consignment.

The next day, he asked for a smaller piece worth about $24,700 to show his client.

When the director asked him to return the two-carat stone, Tan said he wanted to show both diamonds to his purported client.

The same day, he pawned the two diamonds at Kim Heng Pawnshop at Temple Street for $40,800. He used the money to settle his debts.

Tan, who has made full restitution to the pawnshop, could have been jailed for up to seven years and/or fined. The diamonds will be returned to SM Jewels.