If you’ve lived in Chattanooga for more than a minute, you’ve heard the voice. It was everywhere. On the radio, on late-night TV, that distinctive, gravelly drawl promising you the best deals on "gode bouyon" and engagement rings. Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds Chattanooga TN wasn’t just a jewelry store on Brainerd Road. For decades, it was a local institution, a place where Rick—the self-proclaimed "friend in the jewelry business"—reigned supreme from his cluttered shop.
But honestly? The "friend" thing has taken a dark turn lately.
What used to be a story about a quirky local businessman has spiraled into a full-blown legal saga involving FBI raids, wheelchairs, and millions of dollars in missing assets. If you’re looking for a simple jewelry store review, you’re about ten years too late. This is now a story about a business in total liquidation and a man facing a mountain of criminal charges.
The FBI Raid and the Downfall of a Brainerd Road Icon
On April 2, 2025, the music stopped. FBI agents and local police didn't just walk into Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds; they descended on it. While agents in windbreakers hauled suitcases and boxes out of the store at 5301 Brainerd Road, another team was up on Missionary Ridge, scouring Davis’s private residence.
It was a scene straight out of a movie. Rick Davis, now 70 and using a wheelchair, watched from his driveway as federal agents sifted through his life.
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The raid wasn't exactly a shock to the neighbors. Mark Chitwood, who worked at the jewelry store right next door for twenty years, told local reporters that the writing had been on the wall for a long time. For months, the local news had been a revolving door of "Rick Davis arrested" headlines.
He was already facing:
- Seven counts of theft (ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 each).
- Charges for passing worthless checks.
- Indictments for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from at least eight different customers.
Basically, the "gold and diamonds" part of the business had seemingly transformed into a "take the money and run" operation.
What Most People Get Wrong About Rick Davis
A lot of folks think this is just a case of a business owner getting in over his head during a bad economy. It’s more complicated than that.
For years, Davis operated on a "trust me" basis. Customers would come in, hand over thousands of dollars for gold or silver bullion, and Rick would tell them it was "on the way." Except the gold never arrived. Or it arrived in tiny, sporadic increments. According to Better Business Bureau complaints, one customer waited over two years for bullion they paid for in 2022, receiving only a fraction of the order while being told it would be there by "Christmas," then "Valentine’s Day," and so on.
There’s also the "fence" reputation.
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In Chattanooga circles, Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds was long whispered about as the place where items went to disappear. The logic was simple: once you melt down a gold ring or a necklace, the evidence of a theft is gone. While Davis always maintained he followed the law regarding stolen property, the sheer volume of complaints and the eventual FBI involvement suggest the authorities think otherwise.
The Darker "Lore" of Brainerd Road
If you spend five minutes on the Chattanooga subreddit, you’ll find that the theft charges are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the local "lore" surrounding Rick Davis.
There is a persistent, chilling connection to a 1997 cold case—the murder of the Geotcheus brothers. For years, rumors have swirled that the brothers possessed a videotape of Davis engaged in illegal activities and that their deaths were linked to it. While Davis was never convicted of the murders, the "Chattanooga's Disney Villain" persona he developed wasn't just because of his cringy commercials.
It's a weird mix of local celebrity and alleged crime lord.
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The Liquidation: Where Is the Money Now?
By May 2025, the store finally began a massive liquidation sale. This wasn't a "going out of business" celebration; it was a court-ordered attempt to pay back the victims.
SIS’s Estate Sales took over the shop. They weren't just selling rings. They were selling:
- NASCAR memorabilia (like Dale Earnhardt Jr. rookie cards).
- Store fixtures and furniture.
- Massive amounts of loose stones.
- Currency and scrap gold.
The goal was to generate enough cash to satisfy the judgments against Davis. If you’re one of the people he owes money to, the reality is grim. Many former customers have expressed doubt that they’ll ever see the full value of what was taken. When a business is raided by the FBI and its inventory is sold at 40% off, the math rarely favors the victims.
Actionable Insights for Jewelry Buyers and Sellers
If the saga of Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds teaches us anything, it’s how to protect yourself in the high-stakes world of precious metals and gems.
- Verify the "Hold" Period: Legitimate pawn shops and gold buyers are required by law to hold items for a certain period (usually 15-30 days) before melting or reselling them. This allows police to check against stolen property reports. If a shop seems "too fast" to melt, walk away.
- Never Pay Upfront for Bullion: If you are buying gold or silver as an investment, never leave the store without the physical product or a guaranteed, insured shipping tracking number from a reputable mint. The "it's coming in next week" line is a massive red flag.
- Check the BBB—And Actually Read the Responses: In the case of Rick Davis, the BBB profile was a graveyard of warnings. Davis’s responses were often dismissive or claimed the issue was "resolved" when the customer insisted it wasn't.
- Professional Appraisals: Never take a jeweler's word that your item is "fake" or "assembled in Pakistan" just to get you to accept a lowball offer. Get a second opinion from a GIA-certified gemologist who isn't trying to buy the piece from you.
The era of Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds in Chattanooga is effectively over. The building on Brainerd Road stands as a reminder that a catchy jingle and a "friendly" persona can sometimes hide a very different reality.
Next Steps for Victims:
If you believe you are a victim of Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds and have not yet filed a report, you should contact the Chattanooga Police Department's fraud division or the Hamilton County District Attorney’s office. If you have an active claim, ensure your contact information is updated with the court-appointed liquidation representative to be included in any potential restitution distributions.