The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America

Be Prepared to Promote your Best Practices this Holiday Season

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, but with the gift-giving season comes increased scrutiny of the jewelry industry from the media and your customers. In anticipation, Jewelers of America reminds you to prepare for questions you may receive from staff, media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) using our comprehensive member guidance on issues that can affect consumer confidence.

Jewelers of America is monitoring the following issues this holiday season and will keep members informed on any important developments:

Cracking the Code: Practice Full Product Disclosure

In August, Jewelers of America launched “Cracking the Code: A Guide to Jewelers of America’s Code of Professional Practices.” The guide is designed to help Jewelers of America members protect their businesses and achieve high standards for ethical, social and environmental practices.

To highlight the insightful and creative strategies included in "Cracking the Code," we’ll be offering regular "sneak peeks" at its content, which is divided into three sections: 

• "Living the Code" with information on specific JA practices
• "Communicating the Code" with tips on communicating responsible business practices
• "Beyond the Code" -- an overview of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)

This month, we focus on the important and timely topic of proper product disclosure. 

JA CEO Contributes to Diamond Dialogue at JCK Show

Speaking during a panel discussion about the Kimberley Process, at the JCK Show on June 2nd, Jewelers of America President & CEO Matthew A. Runci said retailers can no longer sit back and watch while decisions that impact consumer confidence are made.

"The power of influencing these decisions rests in the hands of everyone in this room and in this building,” Runci told attendees. The session entitled, “Diamond Dialogue: The Challenges of a Robust Kimberley Process,” was hosted by the World Diamond Council (WDC).

Jewelers of America Supports Delay on Mercury Ban

Jewelers of America (JA) has been working with the American Watch Association (AWA) to push officials in Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island to postpone bans on mercury in button-cell batteries. All three states had initially scheduled their respective bans to go into effect on July 1, 2011. The associations are asking for a year postponement, to July 1, 2012.

So far, the campaign has been a success. JA recently got good news when we learned Maine and Connecticut have postponed their bans. Maine moved the state ban to the end of this year, while Connecticut’s ban has been postponed until July 1, 2012.

JA & DMIA Statement on Diamonds from Zimbabwe

Jewelers of America (JA) and the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) released the following statement this week:

JA and DMIA have learned of a recent announcement from Mathieu Yamba, the Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP), who stated that stocks and production from the Mbada and Canadile mining concessions in Marange, Zimbabwe can be exported with “immediate effect.” As you know, there have been alleged human rights abuses, as well as legal issues surrounding diamond production from this region.

FTC Unveils New Platinum Guidelines

In December, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced revisions to its Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries in order to clarify how to properly disclose the content of jewelry made from new platinum/metal alloys. These are products made with a combination of non-precious “base” metals and contain between 50 and 85 percent platinum.

The new guidelines were included in a Federal Register notice published in late December. Specifically, the new Platinum Section states that marketers of platinum/base metal alloys should:

More Cadmium Regulation

Federal and state officials continue to take a close look at how to effectively limit the levels of cadmium in children’s jewelry.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), said this week that it will look to experts -- including those in the jewelry industry -- to help set safety standards. Meanwhile, California recently became the fourth state to pass legislation that limits the levels of cadmium in children’s jewelry and other products.

Officials first began targeting cadmium at the beginning of the year, when an Associated Press (AP) investigation identified dangerous levels of cadmium in some Chinese-made children's costume jewelry. Retail jewelers should be aware of action on this issue on both the state and federal levels, and Jewelers of America has prepared the following update.