The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
FTC Extends Deadline for Jewelry Guide Comments
Those looking to respond to or comment on the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed changes to its jewelry guides now have an extra two months to do so.
New York--The Federal Trade Commission has agreed to the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s request for an extension on the deadline to file comments about the latest proposed changes to the jewelry guides.
The new deadline is now June 3, which gives potential commenters an extra two months. (The original deadline was April 4.)
The FTC’s guides for the jewelry industry dictate the terms that can, and cannot, be used to market jewelry.
Recently, the FTC issued proposed revisions to these guides--which are not final--and invited members of the public who want to make comments on these changes to do so.
The current draft of revisions is available on FTC.gov, and comments can be registered on the FTC web site as well.
Comments also can be mailed to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite CC-5610 (Annex O), Washington, D.C. 20580.
The latest proposals from the FTC include a list of 75 questions to which it has requested answers.
JVC CEO Cecilia Gardner said in January that the JVC and other industry organizations will work on drafting responses to the latest revisions. In addition, the JVC plans to respond directly to a number of requests made by the FTC, including for more metallurgic testing on surface applications and for consumer perception data on surface-coated materials.
A few of the FTC’s proposed changes are outlined below.
1) The use of the term “gold” in connection with alloys
Gardner said current FTC rules do not allow the use of the word gold to refer to any substance that’s less than 10 karats; Tiffany & Co., for example, cannot use the term “gold” in connection with its alloy Rubedo and instead refers it to simply as a metal.
Under the FTC’s proposed changes, the industry would be permitted to use the term gold to refer to alloys but must disclose the karatage of the gold and list the other metals present in the alloy as well.
2) The disclosure of rhodium plating
In its revisions, the FTC is proposing another major change to metals terminology--the disclosure of rhodium plating, which currently is not required.
3) A clarification on lead glass-filled rubies
Gardner said the proposed revisions clarify that the term “lead glass-filled ruby” can be used to refer only to material that contains some measure of red corundum. If the material is non-red corundum and colored glass is added to make it appear red (i.e., to
In addition, the FTC stressed that the seller must disclose any and all information about the special care the material requires.
4) The incorporation of the term “cultured” in reference to lab-grown diamonds
Gardner said when the industry submitted its latest comments on the guides to the FTC back in 2012, it asked the FTC to prohibit the use of the word cultured in connection with lab-grown diamonds. The industry contended that the term should apply only to organic processes, such as the one used for pearls.
The FTC, however, has now proposed incorporating the word cultured into the guides, but only if it is immediately accompanied by the terms lab-grown or lab-created.
5) The use of varietal names
The FTC’s proposed revisions dictate that terms such as “yellow emerald” and “green amethyst” are deceptive and misleading. The gemstones must be described exactly as they are. In the two examples given above, it would be “golden” or “yellow beryl” and “prasiolite.”
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.