CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2014
FTC deals blow to trade’s request for ‘Made in USA’
Months after a number of trade organizations sent a request to the FTC asking for leniency on the “Made in the USA” label for recycled metals, the commission responded that all parts of a product must have originated in the country to be labeled as such.
New York--Months after a number of trade organizations sent a request to the FTC asking for leniency on the “Made in the USA” label for recycled metals, the commission responded that all parts of a product must have originated in the country to be labeled as such.
In June, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, MJSA, Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association, along with the Richline Group, sent a request to the Federal Trade Commission asking the body to allow jewelry made of metals recycled in this country to be labeled as “Made in the USA.”
The FTC’s current standard to advertise a product as such is that “all or virtually all” of the product must be made in the United States, meaning that all significant parts and processing that make the product must be of American origin. Marketers using the “Made in the USA” claim on advertising also must be able to substantiate that claim.
In their request, the trade organizations pointed out to the FTC that this can be difficult for products made of metal for a number of reasons, the first being that much of the metal used in jewelry manufacturing originally was mined in a foreign country.
Additionally, it is almost impossible to determine the origin of a metal once it has been refined or smelted.
RELATED CONTENT: Industry asks FTC for leniency on ‘Made in USA’
The organizations asked the FTC to focus on products made from metal that had been recycled in this country and to allow those to be advertised as “Made in the USA,” based on the idea that upon recycling, metal begins a new life cycle with a new origin in this country regardless of where it originally was mined.
In its response issued Sept. 9, the FTC said that unless a marketer can substantiate that all components of a product, including the natural resources, originated in the U.S., it shouldn’t advertise the product as “Made in the USA,” as that would be deceiving the consumer.
The FTC cited consumer research in its response that shows that almost three out of every five Americans believe that “Made in America” means that all parts of the product, including any natural resources that it may contain, originated in the United Sates.
The research also showed that 33 percent of consumers believe that 100 percent of a product must
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
originate in a country for that product to be labeled as “made” in that country.
The FTC added in its response that its staff is available to help “craft qualified claims that serve the dual purposes of conveying non-deceptive information to consumers and highlighting work done to recycle gold and other jewelry in the United States.”
The four trade associations and Richline said that they now are considering further steps, in accordance with the FTC’s response.
That response, as well as the original request, will be posted on the FTC’s website here.
Anyone with additional questions on “Made in the USA” matters can contact JVC Senior Counsel Suzan Flamm at suzan@jvclegal.org or 212-997-2002.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
