JVC publishes new guide on precious metal

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has released a guide informs the trade of legal standards that govern the manufacture, sale and advertising of gold and silver industry products, which can further transfer knowledge to the consumers. The guide is named as “The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Gold and Silver Jewelry”. Adhering to these standards can ensure legal compliance and consumer confidence.

The guide will be useful particularly to the jewelers using new technologies to create new combinations and alloys of gold, silver and gold and other gold plated products, which require them to follow existing legal standards. Contents of the Guide include JVC’s interpretation of The National Gold and Silver Stamping Act, The Federal Trade Commission Guides for Jewelry, Precious Metal and Pewter, Voluntary Product Standard (VPS) PS 68-76, reflects the accepted trade practice in the marking of articles made only of silver in combination with gold, either visually distinguished or not, and includes articles where the gold fully covers the base.

The information for jewellery manufacturers addresses queries like: When and how to stamp gold and silver; Gold: What is a gold alloy? Mechanical application of gold - gold filled, rolled gold plate and gold overlay; gold sheathing; Vermeil and combination gold and silver; Silver: What is solid silver? Coin silver; silver coated or silver-plate and alternative metals. The Guide also includes a Gold Stamping Law chart, with plating thickness.

Said Cecilia L. Gardner, JVC’s president, CEO and general counsel: “Manufacturers that produce jewellery products using new technologies and the retailers that sell them, must mark, label and present the products according to the laws that govern our industry. JVC developed “The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Gold and Silver Jewelry” in response to the many questions we receive from jewelers on how to mark and market these new combinations of precious metals. Jewelry companies that refer to JVC’s new publication for guidance can help to ensure legal compliance and bolster consumer confidence. JVC is very grateful to The Richline Group for their generous grant to publish this important new guide.”

The Guide is available for viewing on the JVC website. JVC members will be handed their copy of the guide with their 2009 membership renewal packets. The firm ahs also arranged for its paralegal/mediator and expert in the marking of precious metals products -Jo-Ann Sperano, JVC’s, to explain about the publication at the JVC booth #1013, JA/NY Show, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City on January 19, 2009.