Jewelry (includes precious or semiprecious stones, cultured pearls, watches, clocks, and goods, wares and merchandise commonly classified as jewelry)
Jewelry (includes precious or semiprecious stones, cultured pearls, watches, clocks, and goods, wares and merchandise commonly classified as jewelry)
The jewelry industry – with the precious materials in its products and the international scope of its supply chains – is often subject to complex government regulations that go beyond ethical principles to include matters of the law.
Below are some resources to help you get started in navigating compliance requirements. You may also wish to consult with your professional partners.
If you manufacture or sell jewelry, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has resources to help you comply with the Jewelry Guides. In addition, jewelry retailers can find information especially for their businesses. (21)
Contact: Federal Trade Commission: Jewelry
If you advertise or sell jewelry, the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Jewelry Guides offer specific information on how to describe your products truthfully and how to disclose important information to potential buyers. The following contact hyperlink provides access to the sections of the Jewelry Guides that concern diamonds, gemstones and pearls. You may need to scrutinize your product descriptions to make sure they are not misleading and that they disclose material information to consumers. (21)
Contact: Federal Trade Commission: In The Loupe: Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones and Pearls
Any person desiring to sell at auction any jewelry shall apply to the board of supervisors of the county in which the auction is to be conducted for a license to conduct the auction.
Some of the laws governing jewelry sales can be found in the Arizona Revised Statutes. (21)
Recent revisions to the FTC’s Jewelry Guides address the marking of jewelry made of platinum and non-precious metal alloys and when disclosures are appropriate. The FTC’s Jewelry Guides describe how to accurately mark and advertise the platinum content of the jewelry you market or sell. (21)
Contact: Federal Trade Commission: Advertising Platinum Jewelry
Additional Information:
Federal Trade Commission: Jewelry Guides: The FTC’s Jewelry Guides are designed to help consumers get accurate information when they are shopping for gemstones and their laboratory-created and imitation substitutes; natural and cultured pearls and their imitations; products made from precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum, precious metal alloys, and their imitations; and other types of jewelry products. (21)
Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association (FJATA): Not-for-profit organization representing the interests of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of jewelry and accessories. Their mission is to reduce the confusion of sometimes conflicting, often duplicative regulations at the state, federal, and international levels by bringing science to bear on regulatory issues. (21)
Jewelers of America Association: Non-profit jewelry association, founded in 1906, that represents the finest jewelry stores, jewelry suppliers, manufacturers, designers, and other businesses serving the jewelry marketplace. They offer guidance on the regulations that affect jewelry companies. Members have access to Jewelers of America’s expert guidance on Responsible Sourcing, Disclosure, and Regulations. (21)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Children's Products: Product-Specific FAQs section includes: Does the Commission distinguish between adult jewelry and jewelry intended for a child 12 years of age or younger? (21)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Children's Jewelry: The U.S. CPSC staff is participating in voluntary standards activities related to children’s jewelry. (21)
ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) Subcommittee F15.24 on Jewelry: Includes information on F2923-20 Standard Specification for Consumer Product Safety for Children’s Jewelry and F2999-19 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Adult Jewelry. (21)
According to the Arizona Revised Statutes A.R.S. 44-1671, "Jewelry" includes gold, platinum, silver, gold-filled or plated ware, diamonds and other precious or semiprecious stones whether mounted or unmounted, cultured pearls, watches, clocks, and goods, wares and merchandise commonly classified as jewelry and commonly offered for sale in jewelry stores. (21)