FTC Seeks Public Input on Jewelry Industry Marketing Guides

Do you have something to say about jewelry and how it's marketed? If so, the Federal Trade Commission wants to hear from you. As part of its systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on the agency's Jewelry Guides.

The Guides (formally, the "Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries") explain to businesses how to avoid making deceptive claims about precious metal, pewter, diamond, gemstone, and pearl products, and when they should make disclosures to avoid unfair or deceptive trade practices. The FTC completed its last comprehensive review of the Guides in 1996, and has modified them four times since.

The FTC invites public comments on any issues or concerns about the Guides. The FTC also seeks comments on several specific issues, including the marketing of lead-glass-filled composite stones (such as "hybrid" or "composite" rubies), use of the word "cultured" in marketing laboratory-created diamonds and gemstones, disclosures relating to freshwater pearls and treatments to pearl products, and content descriptions of alloys and alloy products containing precious metals in amounts less than the minimum thresholds currently reflected in the Guides.

The Commission vote approving the Request for Public Comments was 5-0. It is available on the FTC's website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments can be filed electronically by clicking here. Comments must be received by August 27, 2012. All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm. (FTC File No. G711001; the staff contact is Reenah Kim, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2272)

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.