The United States Federal Trade Commission has added an additional 60 days to the deadline to submit public comments on proposed amendments to its Jewelry Guides. The Jewelry Guides (formally, the “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries”) explain to businesses how to avoid making deceptive claims about precious metal, pewter, diamond, gemstone, and pearl products, including what types of disclosures are needed .

In 2012, as part of its systematic review of its rules and guides, the Commission sought public comments on the Guides’ costs and benefits, if they should be repealed, amended, or retained in their current form, on specific issues concerning composite gemstones, pearls, diamonds, and precious metal alloys, and any other issues or concerns about the Guides.

Based on comments received and on information obtained during a June 2013 public roundtable, in January 2016, the agency proposed, and sought public comments on, revisions to the Guides regarding below-threshold alloys, precious metal content of products containing more than one precious metal, surface application of precious metals, lead-glass filled stones, “cultured” diamonds, pearl treatments, varietals, and misuse of the word “gem.”

The deadline extension comes after a request by a trade association representing jewelry industry members.