Hearing in LA over fate of massive emerald

A battle over a giant emerald is heading to court in Los Angeles.

A hearing is scheduled Monday in a Superior Court trial in a dispute over ownership of an 840-pound gem valued at $400 million.

The so-called Bahia Emerald - one of the largest ever found - was dug up in Brazil in 2001 and sold by a trader. It later turned up in a New Orleans warehouse that was flooded during Hurricane Katrina and apparently also had turned up in Idaho and Las Vegas.

At least three people claim they are the owners. A fourth man says he's no longer pressing his claim because he's received threats after reporting the jewel stolen from a warehouse in suburban Los Angeles.

The gem remains in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.