The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched a new publication - “Guide to Selling Jewelry in the 21st Century: Legal Compliance for Designers, Independent Jewelers, and Online Sellers”. The content addressing independent jewelers covers a vast gamut of topics including - protecting yourself as a jeweler, whether retail or wholesale, by understanding some basic legal principles, such as the importance of contracts, receipts and return policies; applying standards and regulations that apply to the advertising of jewelry (including the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metal and Pewter Industries and in the National Gold and Silver Stamping Act); advertising on the web (including the Federal Trade Commission’s Dot.Com Guides); and implementing anti-money laundering laws that apply to many jewelers.

The publication provides legal education to a large segment of JVC’s membership and those who create jewelry, whether new, vintage, used, recycled or upcycled and independent designers marketing their products on online marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Craig’s List, and others.

The publication is sponsored by the Future of Design Jewelry Education Fund which was created by Cindy Edelstein in The New York Community Trust.

"Legal compliance supports the integrity of the jewelry industry and boosts consumer confidence in our products. This guide will help independent jewelers and online sellers understand and follow the laws and regulations that apply to the trade," said Cecilia Gardner, JVC's President & CEO. The guide is being retailed at $20 for JVC members, and $25 for non-members, and is available for purchase on the JVC website.