Mme Loisel borrows a diamond necklace from her friend to wear to a ball, but loses it after the event. She and her husband spend 10 years working to pay back the cost of an identical replacement necklace, not realizing the original was fake. When Mme finally confesses to her friend, she learns the truth - the friend's necklace was not real diamonds and worth far less than what Mme had paid.