Keep it legal with appraisals based on fact
While many jewelry appraisals are accurate and reliable, those that are not erode consumer confidence and hurt the industry, to say nothing of the fact that they break the law. A Jewelers Vigilance...
New Gemesis site offers 'retailer locator'
Sarasota, Fla.—Gemesis, the Florida-based company known for its lab-grown colored diamonds, has redesigned its Web site.
Industry objects to broadening platinum definition
New York—A number of industry organizations have filed a statement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) objecting to the FTC's proposal to broaden the definition of the word "platinum."
FTC gives mixed ruling on 'cultured' gems
Washington, D.C.—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rejected a petition from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and nine other trade associations requesting that the commission use its...
Platinum Task Force holds forum on FTC proposal
New York—The Platinum Task Force held an open meeting yesterday at the JA New York Winter Show to discuss the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) request for comments on its proposed outlines for...
FTC requests public opinion on platinum guides
New York—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Federal Register Notice asking for comments on its proposed amendment that would allow jewelry marketers to use the term platinum, or an...
AGL intros colored-gem cert program at JA
New York—American Gem Laboratories (AGL), a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, unveiled its trademarked Fast Track Program for certifying colored gemstones at the JA New York Winter Show.
Industry associations urge FTC to address term 'cultured'
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and 10 other jewelry industry associations have filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address the term "cultured" in...
BHP clears U.S. hurdle in bid for Rio Tinto
London—BHP Billiton announced on Thursday that The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have essentially cleared the way for its proposed acquisition of Rio Tinto,...
Enhancement-disclosure requirements now on video
New York—A discussion of the risks and requirements of enhancement disclosure featuring Robin Spector of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Cecilia Gardner of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee...
Kmart settles with FTC over gift-card practices
Troy, Mich.—Kmart Corp. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it engaged in deceptive practices in advertising and selling its Kmart gift card.
Retailers urge FTC to include Internet in mail-order rules
Washington, D.C.—The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the NRF's online division, Shop.org, are urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to update 14-year-old rules governing mail-order and...
E-tail hazards include getting sued from afar
The benefits of advertising and selling jewelry online are clear, but the complications of doing business from afar might be less obvious, as one jeweler found out after dealing with a dissatisfied...
Gemesis COO McEwen leaving in April
Sarasota, Fla.--Clark McEwen, chief operating officer of lab-grown-diamond company Gemesis, will leave the company when his contract expires in April, McEwen confirmed to National Jeweler on Monday.
An earrings ad crosses FTC's legal line
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) recently received an inquiry on an earrings advertisement that appeared in a local newspaper.
Consumer sues Jewelry Television over treated gems
San Diego--A California woman has filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit accusing Knoxville, Tenn.-based Jewelry Television of false advertising and alleging that the company sold treated gemstones...
Consumer sues Jewelry Television over treated gems
San Diego—A California woman has filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit accusing Knoxville, Tenn.-based Jewelry Television of false advertising and alleging that the company sold treated...
Yehuda sues Blue Nile over treatment disclosure
New York--Yehuda Diamond Co. has filed a lawsuit on behalf of consumers who purchased emeralds from Blue Nile, claiming the Seattle-based online jewelry retailer sold treated emeralds without the full...
Bidz.com battles shareholders in class-action suit
Los Angeles--Online jewelry retailer Bidz.com Inc. and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Zinberg are locked in a legal battle with shareholders, who claim that the company was "knowingly...
In diamond grading, 'It's subjective' only goes so far
New York--A series of consumer complaints alerted the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) to a jeweler who sold customers diamonds with grading reports that were brought into question by subsequent...