| Comment Number: | 517683-00006 |
| Received: | 8/9/2005 3:37:44 PM |
| Organization: | Stanley Jewelers Gemologist |
| Commenter: | Loyd Stanley |
| State: | AR |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries |
| Docket ID: | To Be Added |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am writing to support the amendment of the FTC Guides for Jewelry, to prohibit the use of the word "platinum" or any abbreviation, to mark or describe any product that is composed of between 500-850 parts per thousand pure platinum and no other platinum group metals. Platinum is the metal consumers aspire to own because they know its attributes produce the finest jewelry with the greatest durability and lasting beauty. Lower quality alloys are unproven at this time. Consumers expect purity from platinum and the FTC will be doing them a disservice by letting new entrepeneurs use the wording we all have come to expect to mean "pure." In addition, lowering our standards in this country will put us at a disadvantage and challenge in comparison to international standards. Goldsmiths and jewelers also expect a certain level of purity of platinum, and having multiple, undisclosed alloys in circulation will make it very difficult to service and repair such jewelry. Many problems could arise. Those who are proponents of the lower karat platinum are, I believe, specifically interested in selling a substantially lower quality product at an only slightly lower price. This will reflect poorly upon the entire jewelry industry. Please take steps to see this does not happen. Platinum is a unique metal with characteristics unparalleled by any other metal in its pure form. I consider having multiple grades of platinum alloy metals synonymous with having all grades of gasoline at the pump marked "Gas." That would be confusing, misleading, and inaccurate, as well as dangerous. Thank you for your consideration. Loyd C. Stanley, GG, CG, CGA