FTC Seeking Comments on Proposed Changes to Jewelry Guides

(IDEX Online News) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to its Jewelry Guides. The guides give advice about how to avoid making deceptive claims about certain products; including precious metals diamonds and gemstones, as well as guidelines about disclosure.

The commission is proposing revisions to the Guides regarding below-threshold alloys, precious metal content of products containing more than one precious metal, surface application of precious metals, lead-glass filled stones, “cultured” diamonds, pearl treatments, varietals and misuse of the word “gem.”

The Jewelers Vigilance Council (JVC) has said it will reconvene the two groups that participated in submitting industry-wide comments to the FTC – a committee comprised of industry associations, and a second consultative committee that was open to all industry members who wished to participate in formulating the response.  These committees will work to provide another industry-wide response to the FTC’s draft.

“This is the next step in the important process of revising the FTC Jewelry Guides to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said JVC CEO Cecilia L. Gardner, Esq. “JVC intends to ensure that our industry expresses its views on how best to formulate the standards by which our industry operates in a legal and ethical manner.  We look forward to working with stakeholders from every sector to provide useful comments to the FTC in the process of revising the Guides.”

Comments from the public on the current proposed amendments are due to the FTC by April 4, 2016.