JVC organises talk on coloured gemstone

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) had organised a talk at the JA/NY Winter Show, Jacob Javits Convention Center, held on March 9th to discuss “Color Gemstone Sales: Are you Compliant or at Risk?”. It was a free to attend even sponsored by American Gemological Laboratories.

Views were exchanged between panelists; Christopher Smith, vice president and chief gemologist, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), Robin Spector, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, CEO and general counsel. The issues touched upon the disclosure of gemstone treatment to consumers, current legislation and initiatives on gemstones from Burma and updates on irradiated gemstones, including selling current inventories. The disclosure of treatment of colored gemstones to consumers was another key concern at the discussion.

According to Cecilia Gardner: The focus is on the issues facing colored gemstone manufacturers and retailers and the steps the industry can take to disclose colored gemstone treatment to consumers, securing distribution licenses for irradiated gemstones and current legal initiatives in the House and Senate regarding gemstones from Burma.”

Exploring various perspectives to the issues, the more pertinent one was the supply side integrity – conditions under which colored gemstones are produced and distributed. Said Christopher Smith: “Compliance with FTC guidelines, as well as State regulations is a fundamental issue when selling gemstones and jewellery in the US. Yet many parties either over-generalize the transfer of such information to the consumer or simply ignore it, leaving purchasers with the assumed position of Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware. Accurate gemological authentication and disclosure from independent third-parties is becoming increasingly more important.” Seminar attendees would be handed out “The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Irradiated Gemstones” brochure, co-authored by JVC and the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA).