[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16669-16687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8942]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 23


Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Final guides.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') announces 
that it has concluded a review of Section 23.7 of the Guides for the 
Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (``the Guides''), 16 
CFR Part 23. Section 23.7 of the Guides addresses claims about platinum 
products. In a separate Federal Register Notice (``FRN''), dated May 
30, 1996, the Commission announced revisions to other sections of the 
Guides.<SUP>1 That FRN did not change the section regarding platinum 
products, but instead requested additional comments on possible 
revisions to that section.<SUP>2 The Commission has now revised the 
section to simplify it and to bring its guidance into closer accord 
with international standards.

    \1\ 61 FR 27178 et seq. (May 30, 1996).
    \2\ 61 FR 27224 (May 30, 1996).
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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of this document should be sent to the 
Public Reference Branch, Room 130, Federal Trade Commission, 
Washington, DC 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance M. Vecellio, Attorney, (202) 
326-2966, or Robin P. Rosen, Attorney, (202) 326-3740, Division of 
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The Commission is revising section 7 of the Guides for the Jewelry, 
Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, 16 CFR 23.7, as described in 
detail below. The Commission published an FRN

[[Page 16670]]

soliciting public comment on amendments to the Guides on June 12, 1992, 
in response to a petition from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Inc. 
(``JVC'').<SUP>3 The comment period, as extended, ended on September 
25, 1992.<SUP>4 The JVC petition proposed some changes to the platinum 
section of the Guides. The comments also indicated a need to simplify 
Commission guidance regarding platinum and bring this guidance into 
closer accord with international standards. In addition, on November 
30, 1995, the JVC and the Platinum Guild International submitted a 
request for an advisory opinion regarding platinum markings that 
differed from the previous JVC proposal. The Commission concluded that 
additional comment would be helpful to resolve certain issues and 
published an FRN soliciting public comment on amendments to section 7 
of the Guides on May 30, 1996.<SUP>5 The comment period, as extended, 
ended on September 30, 1996.
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    \3\ 57 FR 24996 (June 12, 1992). The JVC, located at 401 East 
34th Street, NY, NY 10016, is a trade association that was formed in 
1912 to promote ethical practices in the jewelry industry.
    \4\ 57 FR 34532 (Aug. 5, 1992).
     <SUP>5 61 FR 27224 (May 30, 1996).
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    The May 30, 1996 FRN solicited comment on several proposals to 
revise section 7 of the Guides. The FRN summarized the major amendments 
proposed, as well as revisions that Commission staff proposed. In 
addition to requesting comment on the proposals described, the FRN 
asked for comment on nine specific questions.
    The Commission received 806 comments.<SUP>6 In the remainder of 
this notice, the comments are cited to by an abbreviation of the 
commenter's name and the document number assigned to the comment on the 
public record. A list of the commenters, including the abbreviations 
and the document numbers used to identify each commenter, is attached 
as an Appendix.
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    \6\ The Platinum Guild International (``PGI'') circulated a form 
letter to industry members reflecting PGI's views and 
recommendations regarding the proposed revisions to the Guides. In a 
cover letter PGI requested that industry members in agreement with 
the PGI position use the form letter to comment on the proposed 
Guide. 730 of the comments received duplicated this form letter in 
all substantive respects. The remaining 76 comments were from: 
retailers (48); appraisers (4); manufacturer representatives (13); 
trade associations (6) (Platinum Guild International (3 comments), 
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, International Colored 
Gemstone Association, and Manufacturing Jewelry and Silversmiths of 
America, Inc.); a dentist using platinum in fillings (2 identical 
comments); and, one comment each from the Canadian government; a law 
firm representing a manufacturer; a gemologist; and, a concerned 
citizen.
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    Below, the Commission describes the comments and discusses its 
revisions to section 7 of the Guides.

II. Background

    Section 7 of the current Guides states that it is an unfair trade 
practice to use the words ``platinum,'' ``iridium,'' ``palladium,'' 
``ruthenium,'' ``rhodium,'' or ``osmium,'' or any abbreviations 
thereof, in a way likely to deceive purchasers as to the true 
composition of the product. The Commission has retained this provision 
of section 7, designated it as subsection (a), and added a sentence 
stating that platinum, iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, and 
osmium are the platinum group metals (``PGM''), because not every 
reader of the Guides will be familiar with the term ``platinum group 
metal.'' <SUP>7
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    \7\ The JVC proposed adding this sentence and the Commission 
proposed its addition in the May 30, 1996 FRN. 61 FR 27224. No 
comments were received regarding this proposal; however, the 
Commission believes it will be helpful to clarify these terms in the 
Guides.
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    The current Guides state, in a Note, that markings in compliance 
with Commercial Standard CS 66-38 (now Voluntary Product Standard 
(``VPS'') 69-76) on the ``Marking of Articles Made Wholly or in Part of 
Platinum'' will be regarded ``as among those fulfilling the 
requirements relating thereto which are contained in this section.'' 
<SUP>8 The VPS provide for four different markings for articles 
containing platinum. The markings differ based on the relative parts 
per thousand of pure platinum versus PGM.
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     <SUP>8 The first JVC proposal was to incorporate the VPS, with 
some changes, into the Guides. The Commercial Standards were 
promulgated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and administered by 
the National Bureau of Standards (``NBS''). Later renamed by the NBS 
as Voluntary Product Standards, they had the same legal significance 
as FTC guides. The Department of Commerce and the NBS, which is now 
called the National Institute of Standards and Technology, withdrew 
these and all other VPS, as an economy measure, on January 20, 1984.
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    (1) An article may be marked ``platinum'' without qualification if 
985 parts per thousand are PGM and 935 parts per thousand are pure 
platinum.<SUP>9
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    \9\ VPS Section 3.5(1).
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    (2) An article consisting of between 750 and 950 parts per thousand 
pure platinum and 950 parts per thousand PGM may be marked ``platinum'' 
provided that the name of the next predominant PGM precedes the word 
platinum.<SUP>10 (E.g., an article consisting of 900 parts per thousand 
pure platinum and 100 parts per thousand iridium would be marked 
``Irid.-Plat.'')
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    \10\ VPS Section 3.5(2).
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    (3) An article consisting of between 500 and 750 parts per thousand 
pure platinum and 950 parts per thousand PGM may be marked ``platinum'' 
provided that all PGM in the product are marked and preceded by a 
number indicating the amount of the metal in parts per thousand.<SUP>11 
(E.g., an article consisting of 600 parts per thousand pure platinum 
and 350 parts per thousand palladium would be marked ``600Plat.-
350Pall.'')
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    \11\ VPS Section 3.5(3).
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    (4) An article consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand PGM, 
of which less than 500 parts per thousand are pure platinum, may not be 
marked ``platinum'' but may be marked with the full name of whichever 
PGM (other than platinum) predominates in the article. <SUP>12 (E.g., 
an article consisting of 600 parts per thousand palladium, 200 parts 
per thousand platinum, and 150 parts per thousand iridium would be 
marked ``Palladium.'')
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     <SUP>12 VPS Section 3.5(4).
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    The Commission proposed to include the VPS, with one change, in 
section 7 as safe harbor provisions (i.e., examples of markings and 
descriptions that are not considered unfair or deceptive).<SUP>13 After 
reviewing the comments and international standards, the Commission has 
revised the scheme set out in the VPS in several additional respects. 
Section 7 has been revised to include subsection (b), which provides 
examples of markings and descriptions that may be misleading, and 
subsection (c), which provides safe harbor provisions. The safe harbor 
provisions in subsection (c) of the revised Guide permit the use of 
international standards (as requested in the JVC/PGI petition for an 
advisory opinion) and a simplified version of the marking scheme 
contained in the VPS. The specific provisions of subsections (b) and 
(c) are discussed in detail below.
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     <SUP>13 61 FR 27224-27. The one proposed change to the VPS was 
that Section 3.5(1) be modified to provide that an article could be 
marked ``platinum'' without qualification if it contained 950 parts 
per thousand pure platinum (as opposed to 935 parts pure thousand 
pure platinum and 985 parts per thousand PGM). 61 FR 27227 
Sec. 23.7(b)(2).
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III. Analysis of Comments

A. International Standards

    In response to the 1992 FRN, industry members indicated that the 
platinum Guides were inconsistent with international standards. The 
Commission solicited additional comments on this issue in the 1996 FRN, 
and virtually all of the comments received advocated changing the 
guidance regarding platinum markings to be consistent with the 
international

[[Page 16671]]

standards.<SUP>14 The international standard, as established by the 
International Organization for Standardization (``ISO''), and cited in 
ISO 9202:1991(E), titled ``Jewellery--Fineness of precious metal 
alloys,'' specifies a ``range of fineness of precious metal alloys 
(excluding solders) recommended for use in the field of jewellery'' and 
provides for three values in parts per thousand for platinum jewelry: 
950, 900, and 850. The comments, although advocating the use of an 
``international standard,'' did not necessarily support the use of the 
ISO markings. Rather, the comments advocated markings that were similar 
to the ISO standard, in that the markings included a two-letter 
platinum abbreviation, and a number indicating the parts per thousand 
of pure platinum, but included additional or different ranges of 
fineness beyond 950, 900, and 850.
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    \14\ Question 5 in the FRN asked: ``Are there any international 
standards for marking platinum products? Should the Guides follow 
these standards? If so, why?'' 61 FR 27227.
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    For instance, the form letter comments advocated the use of the 
three ISO markings (PT950, PT900, and PT850) and an additional marking, 
PT999.<SUP>15 The form letter comments stated that the three ISO 
markings and the additional marking ``are the same hallmarks currently 
used internationally. These will pave the way for easier importation 
and exportation of platinum jewelry, thereby allowing the U.S. to be on 
an even playing field with the rest of the world.'' <SUP>16 Other 
comments advocated the use of markings that required disclosure of the 
pure platinum content in parts per thousand either preceded or followed 
by a two-letter abbreviation for platinum but did not support the same 
ranges of fineness as the ISO or the form letter comments.<SUP>17 The 
comment from the Canadian Government, however, was consistent with the 
ISO. The comment stated that the international standard permits three 
ranges of fineness for platinum, measured in parts per thousand, 950, 
900, and 850, and advocated the use of these markings in the 
Guides.<SUP>18
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     15 E.g., Taylor (002). Throughout the remainder of this 
document, the ``form letter comments'' will be described as such and 
cited as Taylor (002) as this was the first form letter comment 
received. The PGI also advocated these 4 markings in its own 
comment. PGI (718).
     <SUP>16 Taylor (002). Other comments also advocated the use of 
these four markings: Hoover (479); Worthington (503); Wolls (507); 
Jones (569); Hartsfield (572); Urban (574); Buruss (614); Montanari 
(642); Jain (683); Hurst (763); Mathews (779); Good (792); Suna 
(801); Rudolf (806); Jolliff (678) (representative of Nat'l Assoc. 
of Jewelry Appraisers (670 members), supporting the use of the 4 
markings). The Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America 
(``MJSA'') sent a questionnaire to its 300 members which contained 
the nine questions from the FRN. The MJSA comment reports the 
responses from this questionnaire and indicates that, of the 17 
responding, 6 supported the use of international standards, 4 
opposed it and 7 had no response. MJSA (799), pp. 1 & 3. The comment 
did not specify the international standard the respondents were 
supporting.
     <SUP>17 Itelman (277) (supporting 4 markings but advocating 
800, 850, 900 and 950); Hansen (335) (recommending Pt1000, Pt999, 
Pt950 and Pt900); Austin (413); (recommending 6 markings, Pt999, 
Pt950, Pt900, Pt850, Pt750 and Pt500); Root (414) (same); Rivclan 
(496); (advocating simplified stamping using Pt999, Pt950, Pt750, 
Pt585 and Pt500); Delmarva (497) (same); Four-Star (656) (same); 
Schoenke (300) (recommending two hallmarks 950Pt and Pt90/Ir10); 
Schoenke (604) (same); Graubart (322) (supporting one hallmark, 
Pt900); Goph Albitz (385) (recommending two markings, Pt999 and 
Pt950); Nengelken (590) (advocating use of Pt999, Pt950 and Pt900 
only); Cockrell (606) (supporting the use of 4 markings with the 
addition of Pt585); Jordan (631) (recommending 3 markings, Pt999, 
Pt950, Pt900); Eichberg (681) (advocating three markings, Pt999, 
Pt950, Pt900); Ward (685) (recommending Pt1000, Pt999, Pt950 and 
Pt900).
     <SUP>18 Canada (802), p. 4 (explaining that the international 
standard does not permit a minus tolerance from the declared 
quality).
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    Based on the international standards reflected in the ISO standard 
<SUP>19 and the request in the comments to utilize standards that are 
recognized internationally, the Commission has revised section 7 to 
provide, in subsection (c)(3), that ``[a]n industry product consisting 
of 850 parts per thousand pure Platinum, 900 parts per thousand pure 
Platinum, or 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum may be marked or 
described as `Platinum' provided that the Platinum marking is preceded 
by a number indicating the amount of parts per thousand of pure 
Platinum.''
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     <SUP>19 The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 states that no federal 
agency ``may engage in standards-related activity that creates 
unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States . 
. .'' 19 U.S.C. Sec. 2532 (1995). It also states that federal 
agencies must, in developing standards, ``take into consideration 
international standards and shall, if appropriate, base the 
standards on international standards.'' 19 U.S.C. Sec. 2532(2)(A) 
(1980). A ``standard'' is defined as ``a document approved by a 
recognized body that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, 
guidelines, or characteristics for products or related processes and 
production methods, with which compliance is not mandatory. Such 
term may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, 
packaging, marking, or labeling requirements as they apply to a 
product, process, or production method.'' 19 U.S.C. Sec. 2571(13) 
(1995). An international standard is defined as a standard 
promulgated by an organization engaged in international standards-
related activities, the membership of which is open to 
representatives, whether public or private, of the United States and 
all members of the World Trade Organization (``WTO''). 19 U.S.C. 
Sec. 2571 (5), (6), and (8) (1995). A WTO member is ``a state or 
separate customs territory (within the meaning of Article XII of the 
WTO Agreement), with respect to which the United States applies the 
WTO Agreement. Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 19 U.S.C. Sec. 3501(10) 
(1995).
    According to the ``foreword'' sections in ISO Standard 9202 
(cited above), ISO is ``a worldwide federation of national standards 
bodies. The work of preparing International Standards is normally 
carried out through ISO technical committees.'' ISO is open to 
representatives from the United States and to representatives from 
members of the WTO, and qualifies as an international standards 
organization.
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    The comments also asserted that in international trade, platinum 
articles are marked with the parts per thousand accompanied by a two-
letter abbreviation, ``Pt.'' <SUP>20 The ISO standard does not address 
abbreviation of the word ``platinum''; however, based on the comments' 
unanimous support for such abbreviations, the Commission has revised 
section 7 of the Guides to permit the use of two-letter abbreviations, 
for platinum and the other PGM, in addition to the use of four-letter 
abbreviations (e.g., ``Plat.'' or ``Pt.,'' ``Irid.'' or ``Ir.,'' 
``Pall.'' or ``Pd.,'' ``Ruth.'' or ``Ru.,'' ``Rhod.'' or ``Rh.,'' and 
``Osmi.'' or ``Os.''). Therefore, subsection (c)(3) of revised section 
7 provides that industry products consisting of 850, 900, or 950 parts 
per thousand pure Platinum may be marked ``850Pt.,'' ``850Plat.,'' 
``900Pt.,'' ``900Plat.,'' ``950Pt.,'' ``950Plat.'' respectively.<SUP>21 
For these products (i.e., products containing 850 parts per thousand 
and above pure platinum), only the amount of pure platinum need be 
disclosed; there is no need to refer to the presence (or absence) of 
other PGM.<SUP>22
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     20 Question 7 in the FRN addressed this issue: ``Should 
platinum and other PGM be described with two letter abbreviations? 
Do consumers understand two letter abbreviations?'' 61 FR 27227. 
Four comments responded to this question, three of which advocated 
the use of two-letter abbreviations. These three comments further 
stated that although some consumers may not understand two-letter 
abbreviations, they would become accustomed to them over time. 
Johnson Matthey (396), p. 4; PGI (718), p. 3; Canada (802), p. 5; 
cf. MJSA (799), p. 3 (questionnaire results: 7 yes, 9 no, 1 no 
response).
     <SUP>21 Although the comments indicated that ``999Pt.'' is a 
standard also used internationally, the Commission chose not to 
include this standard because it was not mentioned in ISO Standard 
9202. As discussed below, however, the Guide would permit the use of 
this marking under Sec. 23.7(c)(4).
     <SUP>22 As discussed below, the revised Guides contain a 
different marking scheme for products containing less than 850 parts 
per thousand pure platinum, which is a simplified version of the 
current standard as described in the VPS.
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    This provision differs in two respects from the current Guides, 
based on the VPS, which allowed articles containing between 750 and 950 
parts per thousand pure platinum and 950 parts per thousand PGM, to be 
marked ``platinum'' provided the name of the other PGM preceded the 
word platinum.<SUP>23 First, in the revised Guides,

[[Page 16672]]

the Commission is not requiring that products containing 850 parts per 
thousand pure platinum and above also contain 950 parts per thousand 
PGM. The international standard, as described in the ISO and the 
comments, does not contain this requirement. To maintain consistency 
with the international standards, the Commission has decided to omit 
this requirement in the revised Guides.
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     <SUP>23 VPS Section 3.5(2).
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    Second, the VPS for products containing between 750 and 950 parts 
per thousand pure platinum (and 950 parts per thousand PGM) required 
that the next predominant PGM in the article be disclosed and precede 
platinum in the marking, which resulted in markings such as ``Irid.-
Plat.'' The revised Guide permits a disclosure of solely the platinum 
content in parts per thousand without reference to other PGM where the 
article contains 850 parts per thousand pure platinum or above. In the 
FRN the Commission discussed the ``Irid.-Plat.'' marking specifically 
and solicited comments regarding whether consumers understand this 
marking.<SUP>24 Three comments addressed this issue and indicated that 
the ``Irid.-Plat.'' marking may be confusing to consumers.<SUP>25 The 
Canadian Government's comment explained that ``[c]onsumers have become 
accustomed to ingredient listings which place the predominant substance 
first in the listing, followed thereafter by other substances in 
descending order by weight''; therefore, an ``Irid.-Plat.'' marking is 
counter-intuitive.<SUP>26
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     24 61 FR 27225.
     <SUP>25 Hoover (479) (``difficult to understand why 95% 
platinum is PT and 90% platinum with 10% iridium is Irid.-Plat.''); 
Peters (701) (no benefit to consumers to identify products as Irid.-
Plat.); Canada (802), pp. 3-4 (may be confusing to consumers).
     <SUP>26  Canada (802), p. 3.
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    Based upon these three comments and the previously discussed 
comments' unanimous plea for consistency with international standards, 
the Commission has decided not to include the provision in the VPS for 
marking products consisting of between 750 and 950 parts per thousand 
platinum as a safe harbor in section 7 of the revised Guides.<SUP>27 As 
a result, products containing 850 parts per thousand pure platinum and 
above can now be marked solely with the parts per thousand of pure 
platinum content and a two- or four-letter abbreviation for platinum, 
and there is no requirement that the article contain 950 parts per 
thousand PGM.
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     <SUP>27 The omission of this provision of the VPS as a safe 
harbor in the revised Guides is the only instance where the revised 
Guides may conflict with markings or descriptions now existing on 
platinum products. One commenter indicated that the Commission 
should include an exemption in the Guides to exempt platinum jewelry 
from the revised Guides if stamped prior to the revision. Suna (801) 
(asserting that hallmarking changes are very costly). Although the 
Commission is no longer providing a safe harbor for such markings or 
descriptions, the Guides do not state that such markings or 
descriptions are unfair or deceptive; therefore, markings in 
accordance with the provisions of the Guides that governed platinum 
claims prior to these revisions need not be changed.
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B. Unqualified Use of the Word ``Platinum'' in a Marking or Description

    As discussed above, the VPS provided that an article could be 
marked solely with the word ``platinum'' if 985 parts per thousand are 
PGM and 935 parts per thousand are pure platinum. The JVC proposed that 
the requirement of 985 parts per thousand PGM be changed to 950 parts 
per thousand pure platinum. In response to the 1992 FRN, fourteen 
comments addressed this issue. Twelve favored the revision and two 
opposed the revision without offering substantive reasons.<SUP>28 The 
comments supporting this revision asserted that ``950 platinum'' is the 
accepted standard worldwide and use of this standard would harmonize 
the Guides with international practices.<SUP>29
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     28 61 FR 27224 notes 5-6 (May 30, 1996).
     <SUP>29 See 61 FR 27224.
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    The 1996 FRN proposed changing section 7 of the Guides as 
recommended by the JVC and many of the prior comments, to provide that 
``[a]n industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand 
pure Platinum may be marked `Platinum' '' without qualification. Only 
one of the comments received in response to the 1996 FRN addressed this 
issue. The Platinum Guild International (``PGI'') opined that ``the 
guidance for platinum jewelry should be the same, whether below or 
above 950 ppt pure platinum.'' <SUP>30 As described above, the PGI, 
both in its individual comments and the form letter comment circulated 
to industry, has advocated the use of four consistent markings (Pt999, 
Pt950, Pt900 and Pt850). PGI asserts that these markings will 
facilitate export of U.S. platinum jewelry.
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     <SUP>30 PGI (718), p.2.
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    The Commission has decided that unqualified use of the word 
``platinum'' to mark or describe industry products consisting of 950 
parts per thousand pure platinum or above would not be misleading and 
would not hamper international trade. For many years, the Guides have 
permitted a marking or description of ``platinum'' where the pure 
platinum content was sufficiently high. To address the concern raised 
in the comment, the Commission has made this marking an alternative 
marking. Manufacturers and retailers who seek to export their products 
or maintain consistency with international standards are free to use 
``950Pt.''

C. Minimum Standard for a Platinum Description or Marking

    The Commission received numerous comments proposing that 850 parts 
per thousand pure platinum be established as the minimum standard for a 
platinum marking. The PGI individual comments and the 730 form letter 
comments strongly advocate this position, and 23 other comments also 
support 850 parts per thousand as a minimum standard for a platinum 
marking.<SUP>31 Nineteen comments support 900 parts per thousand pure 
platinum as the minimum standard for a platinum marking; <SUP>32 one 
comment recommends a minimum of 800 parts per thousand pure platinum; 
<SUP>33 eight comments advocate a 585 minimum; <SUP>34 and four 
comments support a minimum of 500 parts per thousand pure platinum for 
a platinum marking.<SUP>35 One commenter indicated that it is currently 
preparing to market jewelry containing 585 parts per thousand pure 
platinum.<SUP>36
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     31 Taylor (002); PGI (718); Graubert (322); LaPrad (341); 
Johnson Matthey (396); Hoover (479); Worthington (503); Raskin 
(527); Jones (569); Hartsfield (572); Kelrick (587); Samuel (612); 
Buruss (614); Montanaria (642); Jolliff (678) (representative of the 
Nat'l Assoc. of Jewelry Appraisers (670 members)); Rudolf (806); 
Jain (683); Yanke (717); Carey (759); Hurst (763); Peters (701); 
Mathews (779); Good (792); Kelrick (796); Suma (801).
     <SUP>32 Neiman (022); Leber (045); Caldiers (063); Snyder 
(086); Novell (180, 181 & 182) (three employees of the same 
retailer; each sent the identical comment); Silver (276); Schoenke 
(300 & 604); Hansen (335); Glasser (337); Urban (574); Schechter 
(451); Nengelken (590); Jordan (631); Moses (647); Ward (685); 
Sullivan (703).
     <SUP>33 Itelman (277) (recommending 800PT as the minimum 
standard because 10KT is the minimum for gold).
     <SUP>34 Four-Star (173); Avante (174); Shersher (374); Smith 
(762); Rivclan (496); Delmarva (497); Four-Star (656); Cockrell 
(606).
     <SUP>35 Shersher (001); Austin (413); Root (414); Coleman & 
Rhine (805); see also MJSA (799), p. 3 (questionnaire results: 3 
supported a platinum marking for products below 500 parts per 
thousand pure platinum, 14 opposed).
     <SUP>36 Shersher (374).
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    The form letter comments advocating an 850 parts per thousand pure 
platinum minimum standard for a platinum marking explain that:

    Growth of over 300% in the last three years in the U.S. platinum 
market has been achieved by promoting certain characteristics of 
platinum to consumers. These are: platinum's purity, rarity, 
distinctive color, luster and density. 850 parts per thousand is the 
minimum content to retain these qualities, which are prized by the 
American consumer.<SUP>37

     37 Taylor (002).

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[[Page 16673]]

    The PGI comment explains that ``[t]here is no other worldwide 
market, with the exception of the U.S., which allows platinum jewelry 
items below 850 ppt pure platinum to be sold.'' <SUP>38 PGI also 
asserted that the marking as platinum of products that contain less 
than 850 parts per thousand pure platinum:
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     <SUP>38 PGI (718), p. 1.
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would seriously diminish the quality of jewelry products at the 
manufacturing and consumer level. * * * To include such low purity 
platinum jewelry in the guidelines would not make platinum products 
accessible to consumers but would allow for poor quality and less 
durable products to permeate the U.S. market from off-shore 
manufacturing and from U.S. manufacturers, thus misrepresenting the 
benefits and qualities of high-purity platinum.<SUP>39

    \39\ PGI (718), p. 3. Johnson Matthey asserted similarly that 
permitting products with less than 850 parts per thousand pure 
platinum to be marked as platinum ``would seriously devalue the 
status of the metal as a jewelry material'' and would ``damage the 
US jewelry industry's reputation and restrict export opportunities 
for American companies.'' Johnson Matthey (396), p. 4.
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    Johnson Matthey explained that ``[t]he qualities and 
characteristics of platinum can be changed by the addition of certain 
elements in varying proportions. * * * It is Johnson Matthey's 
experience that alloy additions greater than 15% offer no improvements 
in platinum's working characteristics but can adversely affect its 
desirable qualities such as colour and density.'' <SUP>40
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    \40\ Johnson Matthey (396), p. 3. Johnson Matthey further 
explained that ``For example: The addition of 5% copper extends tool 
life for machined jewelry products and the addition of 5% cobalt 
provides greater fluidity and hardness. Some additions require 
greater quantities to be truly effective, for example iridium which 
at 5% has a limited hardening effect but at 10% provides a very 
versatile alloy for jewelry manufacture.'' Johnson Matthey (396), p. 
3; see also Canada (802), p. 3 (stating that many characteristics, 
such as density, acidity, strength, ductility, hardness, wear 
resistance, color and light, are affected to various extents subject 
to alloy proportions of precious metals). These comments were 
addressed to question 1 in the FRN (``Do products with less than 950 
parts per thousand pure platinum have the same qualities and 
characteristics as products with larger amounts of platinum?''). 61 
FR 27226.
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    The comments advocating 900 parts per thousand pure platinum as the 
minimum standard for a platinum marking use a similar rationale as the 
PGI, Johnson Matthey, and form letter comments to support their 
position.<SUP>41 In fact, many of these commenters submitted the form 
letter comment but simply replaced 850 with 900.<SUP>42 Certain 
comments, however, raised the concern that products containing 585 
parts per thousand pure platinum will confuse consumers because 14K 
gold products contain 58.5% gold.<SUP>43 These comments assert that 
where the products contain gold ornaments on a platinum band, for 
instance, the consumer will think the ``585'' refers to the gold 
content in the ornament and the ``platinum'' refers to the platinum 
content in the band. Section 23.9(a) of the current Guides discusses 
deception as to applicability of a mark. It states that ``[i]f a 
quality mark on any industry product is applicable only to part of the 
product, the part of the product to which it is applicable (or 
inapplicable) should be disclosed when, absent such disclosure, the 
location of the mark misrepresents the product or part's true 
composition.'' Therefore, the markings referred to in these comments 
could be considered deceptive under the current Guides. Thus, no 
further provision in section 7 is required to address this concern.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\E.g., Nengelken (590) (asserting that platinum is a precious 
metal and lower alloys reduce quality); Ward (685) (opining that 900 
is the minimum necessary to ``retain the quality, purity, security, 
distinctive color, luster, density and rarity which are valued by 
the American consumer''); Sullivan (703) (stating that any tolerance 
below 900 ``would downgrade the image [of platinum] in the 
industry'').
    \42\ Neiman (022); Leber (045); Caldiers (063); Snyder (086); 
Novell (180, 181 & 182) (three employees of the same retailer; each 
sent in the identical comment); Silver (276); Glasser (337); Jordan 
(631).
    \43\ Schechter (451); Montanari (642); Hurst (763); cf. Goph 
(386) (asserting that 14 karat white gold is the substitute for 
consumers who cannot afford platinum and remarking that 585 platinum 
will ruin platinum's reputation-- ``if consumers want cheap, let 
them buy 14K white gold'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The comments supporting 585 as the minimum standard explain that 
having products consisting of 585 parts per thousand pure platinum and 
950 parts per thousand PGM ``makes platinum jewelry significantly more 
affordable without sacrifices in color, look or quality.'' <SUP>44 Two 
comments, advocating 500 parts per thousand pure platinum as the 
minimum, assert that a product should consist of at least half of what 
it is called; ``[a] higher standard may `tie the hands' of future 
technological breakthroughs'' and ``be a detriment to the long term 
platinum market and its salability.'' <SUP>45
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ Shersher (374), p. 2; see also Cockrell (606) (stating ``we 
have 10K gold. Why not a lower karat platinum?''); Rivclan (496) 
(asserting that 585 platinum ``is excellent jewelry for 
manufacturing and provides an all important choice for the middle 
class consumers who can't afford expensive platinum jewelry.''); 
Delmarva (497) (same); Four-Star (656) (same).
    \45\ Austin (413); accord Root (414).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PGI has explained that it has apprehensions about supporting 58.5% 
platinum because questions still remain as to whether this alloy will 
be durable, scratch resistant, hypo-allergenic, or will provide a 
superior setting for gem stones and a dramatic cost savings to 
consumers--``58.5% platinum has not been properly analyzed or 
researched to the point where PGI would feel comfortable endorsing this 
platinum category.'' <SUP>46
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ PGI (272), pp. 3-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission has received no evidence indicating that a pure 
platinum content below 850 parts per thousand or 900 parts per thousand 
results in a product that has lost the qualities that consumers 
associate with platinum. For many years, the Guides have permitted a 
platinum marking on products consisting of less than 850 parts per 
thousand pure platinum.<SUP>47 The ISO standard indicates in a note 
that ``[a] possible inclusion of platinum 750% (sic) may be envisaged 
in the course of further revision of this International Standard.'' 
<SUP>48
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ As described above, the VPS, referenced in the current 
Guide, provided for platinum markings for products consisting of 
between 500 and 750 parts per thousand pure platinum and for 
products consisting of between 750 and 950 parts per thousand pure 
platinum. VPS Sections 3.5(2)-(3). Two different marking schemes 
were used for each range; both, however, allowed the word platinum 
to be used in the marking.
    \48\ ISO 9202: 1991(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that if consumers are given full disclosure 
as to the platinum content and the content of the remaining PGM in the 
product, they will not be misled. An informative marking or description 
will put consumers on notice that the product contains certain precious 
metals, thereby putting them in a position to inquire of the jeweler as 
to the relative value of the different metals and the overall value of 
the product. The Commission is persuaded, however, that products 
consisting of below 500 parts per thousand pure platinum should not 
bear a platinum marking even if the platinum predominates because this 
has been the historical standard.<SUP>49 Accordingly, the revised 
Guides provide that ``[a]n industry product consisting of at least 950 
parts per thousand PGM, and of at least 500 parts per thousand pure 
Platinum, may be marked

[[Page 16674]]

`Platinum' provided that the mark of each PGM constituent is preceded 
by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of each PGM, as 
for example, `600Pt.350Ir.,' or `600Plat.350Irid.' '' <SUP>50
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ FRN question 6 requested comment on whether products could 
be marked ``platinum'' if the product contained 950 parts per 
thousand PGM, of which less than 500 parts per thousand were pure 
platinum. 61 FR 27227. Eleven comments addressed this question and 
unanimously stated that products below 500 parts per thousand pure 
platinum should not be marked platinum. Root (360); Austin (361); 
Johnson Matthey (396), p. 4; Austin (413); Root (414); Rivclan 
(496); Delmarva (497); Four-Star (656); Moses (647); Peters (701); 
PGI (718). The only comment arguably supporting a platinum marking 
for products consisting of less than 500 parts per thousand pure 
platinum was the MJSA comment that indicated that 3 of the 17 
members responding to their questionnaire supported such a marking 
and 14 opposed it. MJSA (799), p. 3. Thus, the Commission is 
retaining the prohibition in the current Guides against platinum 
markings for products containing less than 500 parts per thousand 
platinum.
    \50\ In addition, revised section 23.7(b)(2) of the Guides 
provides that a marking or description using the word platinum or 
any abbreviation and a number indicating the parts per thousand, 
where the product contains less than 850 parts per thousand pure 
platinum, without mention of the other PGM contained in the product, 
such as ``600Platinum,'' may be misleading. The revised Guide also 
retains the requirement of the VPS that products containing lower 
levels of pure platinum must contain 950 part per thousand PGM. The 
revised Guide includes this requirement for articles containing less 
than 850 parts per thousand platinum, whereas the VPS required at 
least 950 parts per thousand PGM for any article to be marked as 
platinum. As discussed above, the Commission is not requiring 950 
parts per thousand PGM for products containing 850 parts per 
thousand platinum and above because the international standard (as 
described in ISO 9202 and the comments) does not contain this 
requirement.
    This marking also provides guidance in the event the platinum 
industry develops new variations of PGM metals, for example 
``925Plat.75Irid.'' (This product also could be marked 
``900Plat.''). The comments indicated that most platinum jewelry 
consists of either 900 or 950 parts per thousand pure platinum with 
the exception of platinum chains, which usually contain 850 parts 
per thousand pure platinum. The acceptable markings, however, are 
broad enough to address new innovations should they occur.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This provision is the standard from the VPS, referenced in the 
current Guide. In the VPS, this standard only applied to products 
consisting of between 500 and 750 parts per thousand pure platinum. As 
discussed above, a different standard applied to products consisting of 
between 750 and 950 parts per thousand pure platinum. One of the goals 
of revising the Guides was to simplify and update the current 
standards. The comments responding to question 2 in the FRN, which 
asked whether the guidance for products with differing levels of 
platinum should be the same, indicated that there is no reason to have 
these different standards.<SUP>51 Thus, use of the one standard for 
products containing less than 850 parts per thousand pure platinum 
simplifies the current guidance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ Shersher (001); Johnson Matthey (396), pp. 3-4; Rivclan 
(496); Delmarva (497); Four-Star (656); PGI (718); Coleman & Rhine 
(806). These comments also indicated that one standard may result in 
less confusion for consumers. The MJSA comment indicated that the 
members supported using the same guidance; of the 17 responding to 
the questionnaire, 10 supported the same guidance, 3 opposed, and 4 
had no response. MJSA (799), p. 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Another option was to permit a derivation of the international 
standard with only the parts per thousand and a platinum abbreviation 
disclosed, with no mention of the other PGM. The Commission has decided 
to retain the standard from the VPS, which requires disclosure of all 
the PGM, and apply it to products containing less than 850 parts per 
thousand pure platinum. To the extent there are concerns that articles 
with a pure platinum content below 850 parts per thousand do not 
possess the same qualities and characteristics of higher platinum 
content articles, the requirement of additional information for such 
articles will help insure that consumers are provided with clear and 
accurate information to make informed purchasing decisions.<SUP>52 
Several comments indicated that it may be costly to mark, in parts per 
thousand, each PGM and that these markings are not beneficial to 
consumers.<SUP>53 The Commission believes, however, that including each 
PGM and the parts per thousand for products containing less than 850 
parts per thousand pure platinum is beneficial to consumers. By making 
consumers aware of the presence of PGM other than platinum in the 
article, the consumer is put on notice and may ask the jeweler to 
explain the difference between the article and another article solely 
marked with the pure platinum content.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     <SUP>52  See Canada (802), p. 3 (``[a]llowing the market to 
find its own level through providing consumers with clear and 
accurate information on the products so that they can make informed 
purchasing decisions is the basic ideal model.'')
     <SUP>53  These comments were received in response to question 
3, posed in the FRN (``For products consisting of less than 950 
parts pure platinum, what are the benefits and costs of marking each 
PGM contained in the product? Should the amount of each metal, in 
parts per thousand, be disclosed?'' 61 FR 27227). Nine comments 
addressed this specific issue. Three stated that it can be costly to 
mark each metal in parts per thousand. Shersher (001); Canada (806), 
p. 4; PGI (718), p. 3. Seven stated that it is not beneficial and 
perhaps confusing to mark each metal in its parts per thousand. 
Mathews (779); Johnson Matthey (396), p. 4; Rivclan (496); Delmarva 
(497); Four-Star (656); Peters (701); PGI (718); cf. Canada (806), 
p. 4 (stating that markings of each metal in parts per thousand may 
have only questionable value to the consumer who is only concerned 
with the total platinum content). The MJSA comment appears to 
indicate that 9 members believe the amount of each metal, in parts 
per thousand, should be disclosed; 6 do not; and, 2 did not respond. 
The comment is unclear, however, whether these responses correspond 
to the question regarding costs and benefits or the question 
regarding marking. MJSA (799), p. 2.
    Seven comments responded to FRN question 4 (``Should products 
with less than 950 parts pure platinum be marked with only the 
amount of pure platinum contained in the product (e.g., PLAT 900)? 
Do consumers understand this marking? Would percentage markings 
(e.g., 90% Plat) be preferable and feasible?'' 61 FR 27227). These 
comments indicated that only the platinum content in parts per 
thousand should be disclosed. Shersher (001); Johnson Matthey (396), 
p. 4; Peters (701); PGI (718), p. 3; Canada (802), p. 4; cf. MJSA 
(799), p. 2 (Marking only with platinum: 8 yes, 9 no; Consumers 
understanding the marking: 5 yes, 9 no, 3 no response). Three 
comments indicated that a percentage mark could be mis-read. Johnson 
Matthey (396), p. 4; PGI (718), p. 3; Canada (802), p. 4. Two 
comments stated that consumers will understand a marking of ``Plat 
900.'' Moses (647); PGI (718), p. 3. One comment indicated that 
consumers may not understand such a marking. Canada (802), p. 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. The Marking of Products Containing Less Than 500 Parts Per Thousand 
Pure Platinum

    The VPS, referenced in the current Guide, does not allow a platinum 
marking for articles with less than 500 parts per thousand pure 
platinum but does permit a marking containing the full name of the PGM, 
other than platinum, that predominates.<SUP>54 The Commission has 
decided not to include this section of the VPS as a safe harbor in the 
revised Guides. Although a standard (that differed slightly from the 
VPS) for products containing less than 500 parts per thousand pure 
platinum but 950 parts per thousand PGM was proposed,<SUP>55 no 
comments were received regarding the proposal. The Commission is aware 
that there is an ISO standard for palladium products.<SUP>56 The 
Commission has no evidence, however, that products that would fall 
under this category of markings are being sold in the U.S. Thus, the 
Commission has determined that guidance for such products is not needed 
at this time.<SUP>57
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     54  VPS Section 3.5(4). For example, an article consisting of 
600 parts per thousand palladium, 200 parts per thousand platinum 
and 150 parts per thousand iridium could be marked ``Palladium.''
     <SUP>55  61 FR 27227.
     <SUP>56  The ISO standard for palladium provides for two 
markings for palladium, 500 and 950 parts per thousand.
     <SUP>57  Articles marked or described consistent with the ISO 
standard or the provisions in the current Guides are not likely to 
be considered unfair or deceptive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Miscellaneous Issues

A. Platinum-Filled, Platinum Overlay, or Platinum-Clad Products

    The Commission solicited comment on the need for guidance regarding 
descriptions of platinum-filled, platinum overlay, or platinum-clad 
products.<SUP>58 Five comments responded. Johnson Matthey, the PGI, and 
the Canadian government all stated that they were unaware of any 
``platinum-filled'' products being manufactured worldwide.<SUP>59 Based 
on these comments, the Commission has determined that

[[Page 16675]]

guidance for such products is not needed at this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     <SUP>58 61 FR 27227 (question 8).
     <SUP>59 Johnson Matthey (396), p. 5; PGI (718), p. 4; Canada 
(802), p. 5. One comment stated that there is a need for Commission 
guidance but provided no rationale or suggestions. Moses (647). The 
MJSA comments indicate that 12 members felt a need for guidance and 
5 did not; no reasons or suggestions were provided. MJSA (799, p. 
3). Johnson Matthey and PGI did suggest, however, that the guidance 
on gold and silver-filled articles could be adopted for platinum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Chain Articles

    The Commission also solicited comments regarding whether chain 
articles containing solder-filled wire and consisting of at least 850 
parts per thousand pure platinum should be marked ``platinum.'' <SUP>60 
Eight comments addressed this issue. Six responded that chain articles 
containing solder-filled wire and consisting of at least 850 parts per 
thousand pure platinum should be marked platinum.<SUP>61 One comment 
responded that all platinum products, including chains, should have a 
minimum of 900 parts per thousand pure platinum.<SUP>62 The Canadian 
Government comment asserted that the issue of chain articles filled 
with solder wire may be mooted by the improvements said to be achieved 
with laser welding.<SUP>63 The Commission has decided that there is no 
basis for the Guides to treat chain products differently from any other 
industry product containing platinum. Therefore, the markings for chain 
articles should follow the same standards as all other industry 
products containing platinum or PGM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     <SUP>60 61 FR 27227 (question 9).
     <SUP>61  Itelman (277); Johnson Matthey (396), p. 5; Buruss 
(614); Moses (647); PGI (718); cf. MJSA (799), p. 3 (9 yes, 6 no, 2 
no response).
     <SUP>62  LaPrad (341).
     <SUP>63  Canada (802), p. 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Other

    Several comments raised issues regarding other provisions of the 
Guides not concerning articles made with platinum.<SUP>64 One comment 
addressed an FTC matter that did not relate to the Guides in any 
respect.<SUP>65 These comments were forwarded to appropriate Commission 
staff to address but were not considered with respect to the revisions 
to Section 23.7 of the Guides.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ Hoover (479) (discussing gold standards); Schwartz (709) 
(describing diamond disclosures); Kremkow (719) (representative of 
the International Colored Gemstone Association, addressing gemstone 
treatments); Nicholls (736) (discussing diamond disclosures); 
Mayfield (754) (addressing gemstone treatments); Krementz (798) 
(describing gold standards and diamond disclosures).
    \65\ Bakery (760) (discussing a company's violation of an FTC 
order).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 23

    Advertising, Trade practices, Watches and jewelry.

    Accordingly, the Commission amends chapter I of Title 16 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 23--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority for citation for Part 23 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 6, 5, 38 Stat. 721, 719; 15 U.S.C. 46, 45.

    2. Section 23.7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 23.7  Misuse of the words ``platinum,'' ``iridium,'' 
``palladium,'' ``ruthenium,'' ``rhodium,'' and ``osmium.''

    (a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the words ``platinum,'' 
``iridium,'' ``palladium,'' ``ruthenium,'' ``rhodium,'' and ``osmium,'' 
or any abbreviation to mark or describe all or part of an industry 
product if such marking or description misrepresents the product's true 
composition. The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) are Platinum, Iridium, 
Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, and Osmium.
    (b) The following are examples of markings or descriptions that may 
be misleading: <SUP>10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See paragraph (c) of this section for examples of 
acceptable markings and descriptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Use of the word ``Platinum'' or any abbreviation, without 
qualification, to describe all or part of an industry product that is 
not composed throughout of 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
    (2) Use of the word ``Platinum'' or any abbreviation accompanied by 
a number indicating the parts per thousand of pure Platinum contained 
in the product without mention of the number of parts per thousand of 
other PGM contained in the product, to describe all or part of an 
industry product that is not composed throughout of at least 850 parts 
per thousand pure platinum, for example, ``600Plat.''
    (3) Use of the word ``Platinum'' or any abbreviation thereof, to 
mark or describe any product that is not composed throughout of at 
least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
    (c) The following are examples of markings and descriptions that 
are not considered unfair or deceptive:
    (1) The following abbreviations for each of the PGM may be used for 
quality marks on articles: ``Plat.'' or ``Pt.'' for Platinum; ``Irid.'' 
or ``Ir.'' for Iridium; ``Pall.'' or ``Pd.'' for Palladium; ``Ruth.'' 
or ``Ru.'' for Ruthenium; ``Rhod.'' or ``Rh.'' for Rhodium; and 
``Osmi.'' or ``Os.'' for Osmium.
    (2) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per 
thousand pure Platinum may be marked or described as ``Platinum.''
    (3) An industry product consisting of 850 parts per thousand pure 
Platinum, 900 parts per thousand pure Platinum, or 950 parts per 
thousand pure Platinum may be marked ``Platinum,'' provided that the 
Platinum marking is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts 
per thousand of pure Platinum (for industry products consisting of 950 
parts per thousand pure Platinum, the marking described in 
Sec. 23.7(b)(2) above is also appropriate). Thus, the following 
markings may be used: ``950Pt.,'' ``950Plat.,'' ``900Pt.,'' 
``900Plat.,'' ``850Pt.,'' or ``850Plat.''
    (4) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per 
thousand PGM, and of at least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum, may 
be marked ``Platinum,'' provided that the mark of each PGM constituent 
is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of 
each PGM, as for example, ``600Pt.350Ir.,'' ``600Plat.350Irid.,'' or 
``550Pt.350Pd.50Ir.,'' ``550Plat.350Pall.50Irid.''

    Note to Sec. 23.7: Exemptions recognized in the assay of 
platinum industry products are listed in Appendix A of this part.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.

    Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

                                 Appendix--List of Commenters and Abbreviations                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Abbreviation                     No.                             Commenter                      
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A & A......................................          160  A & A Jewelers, Inc.                                  
A.C........................................          675  A.C. Associates.                                      
A.L. Jacobs................................          236  A.L. Jacobs & Sons, Jewelers.                         
A&B........................................          460  A&B Jewels & Tools.                                   
Aalund.....................................          243  Nanz Aalund.                                          

[[Page 16676]]

                                                                                                                
Abdulky....................................          453  F.M. Abdulky, Inc.                                    
Ace........................................          382  The Ace of Diamonds.                                  
Adams......................................           43  Adams Jewelers, Inc.                                  
Ajour......................................          535  Ajour Ltd.                                            
Alexander..................................          273  Robert Alexander Jewelers.                            
Alie.......................................           80  A.E. Alie & Sons, Inc.                                
Alishan....................................           32  Alishan.                                              
Ali's......................................          295  Ali's Persian Carpets.                                
Allen......................................          521  Douglas Allen Jewelers.                               
Alsohus....................................          639  B. Alsohus Jewelers.                                  
Altemueller................................          585  Altemueller Jewelry.                                  
American...................................          137  The American Jewelry Co.                              
American...................................          305  American Jewelry Designs.                             
Anderson...................................          494  T.K. Anderson.                                        
Anderson...................................          437  Bruce Anderson Fine Jewelry.                          
Anthony....................................          438  John Anthony Designer.                                
Anthony....................................          695  Anthony Jewelers.                                     
Antoinette's...............................          370  Antoinette's Inc.                                     
Antonini...................................          312  Antonini.                                             
Arkins.....................................          204  Arkin's Jewelers.                                     
Arkless....................................          558  Suzanne M. Arkless.                                   
Armstrong..................................           82  K.F. Armstrong.                                       
Arnold's...................................          512  Arnold's Jewelry.                                     
Aronstam...................................          483  MS Aronstam.                                          
Arrigoni...................................           49  Arrigoni Jewelers, Inc.                               
Artisan....................................          336  Artisan Designs.                                      
Asprey.....................................           70  Asprey.                                               
Auction....................................          103  Auction Market Resource.                              
Aura.......................................           87  Aura America, Inc.                                    
Aurion.....................................            3  Aurion International Ltd.                             
Austin.....................................          413  Austin Jewelry Appraisers.                            
Austin.....................................          361  Austin Jewelry Appraisers.                            
Avante.....................................          174  Avante Designs.                                       
Azevedo....................................          435  Azevedo Jewelers & Gemologists, Inc.                  
Bachman....................................           14  Bachman Jewelers.                                     
Bailey.....................................           46  Bailey Banks & Biddle.                                
Bailey.....................................          372  Bailey Banks & Biddle.                                
Bakery.....................................          760  Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers.            
Ballard....................................           90  Ballard & Sons, Inc.                                  
Balshone...................................          788  Joseph G. Balshone.                                   
Barclay's..................................          549  Barclay's Jewelers.                                   
Barnes.....................................          153  Barnes Jewelry.                                       
Barnes.....................................          456  Barnes Jewelry.                                       
Barthman...................................          332  William Barthman.                                     
Bauer......................................          218  Christian Bauer.                                      
Beattie....................................          144  H.W. Beattie & Sons, Inc.                             
Beauchamp..................................          482  Beauchamp & Co. Jewelers.                             
Begeman's..................................          280  Begeman's Jewelers.                                   
Beins......................................          404  Robert Beins Jewelers.                                
Belgian....................................          529  Belgian Diamond Specialties.                          
Ben Bridge.................................          219  Ben Bridge Jeweler, Inc.                              
Ben Adams..................................          248  Ben Adams.                                            
Benchmark..................................          206  Benchmark.                                            
Bender's...................................          217  Bender's.                                             
Benson.....................................           13  Gallen Benson.                                        
Berk.......................................          491  Barbara Berk Designs.                                 
Best.......................................          354  Joseph Best.                                          
Betlach....................................          288  Fredrick E. Betlach.                                  
Bienstock..................................          392  Bienstock Industries Inc.                             
Blackstone.................................          133  Blackstone Fine Jewelers.                             
Blancato...................................          608  F. Blancato, Inc.                                     
Blumer.....................................          334  AB Blumer.                                            
Bockman's..................................          131  Bockman's Jewelers & Goldsmiths.                      
Bohan......................................          222  Jane Bohan, Inc.                                      
Bomberger..................................          690  Carolyn Bomberger.                                    
Bondanza...................................          126  Michael Bondanza, Inc.                                
Bongiorno..................................           36  Alexander J. Bongiorno.                               
Booth......................................          241  Richard Booth.                                        
Borelli....................................          423  Borelli Jewelers.                                     
Boren......................................          163  CJ & Anita Boren Jewelry.                             
Borsheim's.................................          226  Borsheim's.                                           
Bosco......................................          316  John Bosco Jewelry Inc.                               

[[Page 16677]]

                                                                                                                
Bracken....................................          325  Bracken Jewelers.                                     
Brancier...................................          680  Brancier Jeweller.                                    
Braunschweiger.............................            6  Braunschweiger.                                       
Braunschweiger.............................          635  Braunschweiger.                                       
Brentwood..................................          264  Brentwood Jewelry & Gifts.                            
Brick House................................          708  The Brick House.                                      
Bridge.....................................           89  Ben Bridge Jeweler.                                   
Briggs.....................................          599  Louise Briggs.                                        
Brillant...................................          255  Brillant Choice.                                      
Broadway...................................          128  Broadway Jewelers.                                    
Brodkey....................................            4  Brodkey Brothers, Inc.                                
Broken.....................................           96  Gem Broken, Inc.                                      
Brookhurst.................................           35  Brookhurst Jewelry & Loan.                            
Brooks.....................................          159  Brooks Jewelry.                                       
Bruce's....................................          710  Bruce's Jewelry Co.                                   
Brundage...................................          303  Brundage Jewelers.                                    
Buechner...................................          260  John Buechner, Inc.                                   
Bulfer's...................................           58  Bulfer's.                                             
Buruss.....................................          614  Norman Jewelers, Inc.                                 
Butler.....................................          285  Roger Butler Jewelers.                                
Butler.....................................          101  KE Butler & Company.                                  
C & C......................................          665  C & C Jewelers.                                       
Cabochon...................................           39  Cabochon Gems & Designs.                              
Cadeaux....................................          551  Cadeaux.                                              
Canada.....................................          802  Consumer Products Directorate, Industry Canada.       
Carey......................................          759  Town & Country Corporation.                           
Carlos Diaz................................          235  Carlos Diaz, Silversmiths.                            
Carlyle....................................          492  Carlyle & Co. Jewelers.                               
Carlyle....................................          634  Carlyle & Co. Jewelers.                               
Carol Klein................................          785  Carol Klein Fine Jewelry.                             
Carre......................................          548  Henri Carre.                                          
Carreras...................................          252  Carreras Ltd.                                         
Carroll....................................           47  Carroll's Jewelers.                                   
Carter.....................................          171  Stan Carter Jeweler.                                  
Carter.....................................          486  James B. Carter.                                      
Carter.....................................          129  Carter & Sons.                                        
Carter's...................................          711  Carter's Jewel Chest.                                 
Cartiers...................................           63  Smith Jewelers.                                       
Casey's....................................          523  Casey's Jewelers.                                     
Cavanaugh's................................          506  Cavanaugh's Jewelers, Inc.                            
Chalson....................................          156  William Chalson & Co. Inc.                            
Champion's.................................          291  Champion's Jewelers.                                  
Charles....................................          250  Charles on Fairhaven.                                 
Chateau....................................          511  Chateau Jewelry Corp.                                 
Chopard....................................          229  Chopard Watch Corp.                                   
Christensen................................          185  Christensen & Rafferty.                               
Christian Bernard..........................          108  Christian Bernard.                                    
Christopher's..............................          519  Christopher's Fine Jewelry and Gallery.               
Cinnamon...................................          730  Cinnamon Designs.                                     
Clark......................................          149  B.C. Clark.                                           
Clark......................................           88  B.C. Clark Jewelers.                                  
Classic....................................          436  Classic Treasures Jewelry.                            
Clear Lake.................................          720  Clear Lake Precious Metals.                           
Club.......................................          104  Club Jewelry Mfg. Inc.                                
Coast......................................          310  Coast Diamond.                                        
Cockrell...................................          606  Charles Cockrell.                                     
Coleman & Rhine............................          805  Coleman & Rhine.                                      
Coleman....................................           97  Nelson Coleman & Sons, Ltd.                           
Collector's................................          696  Collector's Showcase.                                 
Continental................................          471  Continental Coin Corporation.                         
Conway.....................................          577  Judith Conway.                                        
Conway.....................................           38  Judith Conway.                                        
Cooper.....................................          179  Jeff Cooper, Inc.                                     
Cooperman..................................          442  Marilyn F. Cooperman Inc.                             
Cooperman..................................          443  Marilyn F. Cooperman.                                 
Cordova....................................           79  Cordova, Inc.                                         
Cornerstone................................          117  Cornerstone Jewelry.                                  
Coronado...................................          283  Rodimiro Coronado.                                    
Corum......................................          580  Corum Jewelers.                                       
Costello...................................          654  Costello Jewelry Co.                                  
Cox........................................          394  Cox Jewelers.                                         
Crafters...................................          275  Metal Crafters, Inc.                                  

[[Page 16678]]

                                                                                                                
Craig......................................          686  David Craig Ltd.                                      
Crescent...................................          388  Crescent Jewelers Inc.                                
Crews......................................           84  Crews Fine Jewelry.                                   
Cronier's..................................          582  Cronier's Fine Jewelry.                               
Cross......................................          298  Cross Jewelers.                                       
Cumberland.................................          459  Cumberland Diamond Exchange.                          
D&F Decker.................................          463  D&F Decker Jewelers.                                  
Dakota.....................................          371  Dakota Gems.                                          
Darden.....................................          661  Darden Jewelers.                                      
Dardin.....................................          263  Dardin Jewelers.                                      
David Porter...............................          782  David Porter Jewelry.                                 
Davids.....................................          476  Davids.                                               
Davidson...................................          469  Davidson & Licht.                                     
David's....................................          127  David's Ltd.                                          
Davis......................................          510  Hal Davis Jewelers.                                   
Davis......................................          109  Davis Diamond Designs.                                
Davis......................................          743  Hal Davis Jewelers.                                   
De Bears...................................          379  De Bears, Inc.                                        
De Luna....................................          102  De Luna Jewelers.                                     
De Jonghe..................................          610  De Jonghe.                                            
De Scenza..................................          473  De Scenza Diamonds.                                   
Dearborn...................................          232  Dearborn Jewelers.                                    
Deese......................................          765  Mikal Deese.                                          
Degroot....................................          550  Degroot Industries International, Inc.                
Dekkers....................................          537  Dekkers Jewelry.                                      
Delfine's..................................          545  Delfine's Inc.                                        
Delma......................................          301  Delma USA Ltd.                                        
Delmarva...................................          497  Delmarva Jewelry.                                     
Delta......................................          515  Delta Diamond Setters & Jewelers, Inc.                
Demi-Cache.................................          148  Demi-Cache, Inc.                                      
Derryberry.................................          461  Josef Derryberry.                                     
Dery.......................................          571  J. Dery Jewelers.                                     
Designs....................................          317  Designs in Gems.                                      
DFS........................................          290  DFS Merchandising Limited.                            
DFS........................................          289  DFS Merchandising Limited.                            
Di-Mart....................................          638  Di-Mart.                                              
Dia........................................          543  Dia Gem.                                              
Diamond Broker.............................          270  The Diamond Broker & Fine Jewels II.                  
Diana......................................          777  Diana Jewelers of Liverpool, Inc.                     
Diller.....................................          439  Wm. H. Diller Inc.                                    
Direct II..................................          687  Gold & Diamonds Direct II.                            
Dodrill....................................          214  T.K. Dodrill Jewelers.                                
Dohack.....................................          528  Dohack Jewelers.                                      
Dunay......................................          221  Henry Dunay Designs, Inc.                             
DuNouveau..................................          205  DuNouveau Designs.                                    
Dunstan....................................          568  Dunstan Jewelers, Ltd.                                
Dupont.....................................          502  Dupont Jewelers.                                      
Dupont.....................................          343  Dupont Jewelers.                                      
E.S.S......................................           60  E.S.S., Inc.                                          
Earl.......................................          151  Cindi Earl Fine Jewelry.                              
Earth......................................          287  Earth Resources.                                      
Ecco.......................................          329  Ecco High Frequency Corporation.                      
Eclipse....................................           12  Eclipse Studio.                                       
Ed Mar.....................................          597  Ed Mar Crystal & Jewelry Co. Inc.                     
Edward.....................................          504  George Edward Jewelers.                               
Edwards....................................          199  J & L Edwards Designs.                                
Ehrhardt's.................................           72  Ehrhardt's Enterprises.                               
Ehrlinspiel................................          110  Egon Ehrlinspiel.                                     
Eichberg...................................          681  E. Eichberg Jewelers, Inc.                            
Eichhorn...................................          746  Eichhorn Jewelry, Inc.                                
Elan.......................................          789  Elan Ltd.                                             
Elegance...................................           34  Elegance Jewelry.                                     
Elements...................................          658  Elements Ltd.                                         
Emrick.....................................          297  Emrick Jewels.                                        
Endicott...................................          525  Hudson Endicott.                                      
Endris.....................................          513  J.O. Endris & Son Jewelers.                           
Engelhard..................................          593  Engelhard-Clal.                                       
Engelhard-Clal.............................          193  Engelhard-Clal.                                       
Erickson...................................           95  Erickson & Erickson.                                  
Estate.....................................          165  Estate Jewelry.                                       
Eurocraft..................................          158  Eurocraft.                                            
Facet......................................          377  Cab N Facet Fine Jewelry.                             

[[Page 16679]]

                                                                                                                
Factory's..................................          122  Factory's Inc.                                        
Fast-Fix...................................          398  Fast-Fix Jewelry Repairs.                             
Fedra......................................          176  Fedra, International.                                 
Fell.......................................          541  David H. Fell & Co. Inc.                              
Ferguson...................................           71  T. Ferguson.                                          
Fernando...................................          707  Creations by Fernando.                                
Fey........................................          364  Fey & Company Jewelers.                               
Finely's...................................          676  George Finely's Jewelers.                             
Finest.....................................          556  Finest Casting & Service LLC.                         
Finishing..................................          641  Finishing Touches.                                    
Fisher.....................................          530  Robert S. Fisher & Company.                           
Five Star..................................          786  Five Star Jewelers.                                   
Flash......................................           48  Flash Manufacturing.                                  
Fogg.......................................          292  F.D. Fogg & Co.                                       
Fojt.......................................          299  J. Fojt Originals.                                    
Ford.......................................          369  Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers.                       
Forest.....................................           26  Forest Jewelers.                                      
Fortunoff..................................          458  Fortunoff.                                            
Foster.....................................          589  T. Foster & Co.                                       
Four Stars.................................          656  Four Stars.                                           
Four Stars.................................          173  Four Stars.                                           
Fox........................................          210  Debbie S. Fox.                                        
Fox's......................................          674  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          726  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          723  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          727  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          722  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          721  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          672  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          673  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          725  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          671  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          724  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Fox's......................................          728  Fox's Gem Shop.                                       
Francis....................................          216  Michael Francis Co.                                   
Francis....................................          215  Michael Francis Co.                                   
Frank......................................          449  David Frank.                                          
Franz......................................          501  Franz Jewelers Ltd.                                   
Frasca.....................................          211  Frasca Jewelers.                                      
Fredericks.................................           73  Phillips & Fredericks Jewelers.                       
Freeman....................................          797  Freeman Jewelers.                                     
Frei.......................................          536  Frei & Borel.                                         
French Jewels..............................          664  The French Jewels.                                    
Freund.....................................          188  Freund Jewelers.                                      
Friedheim..................................          355  Bess Friedheim Jewelry.                               
Friesen's..................................          311  Friesen's Jewelers.                                   
Fuller.....................................          194  Fuller Findings.                                      
Future Ring................................          424  Future Ring Corporation.                              
G & G......................................          201  G & G Diamond Brokers.                                
G.N.K......................................          470  G.N.K. Co.                                            
Gallery....................................          416  The Jeweler's Gallery.                                
Gannaway...................................          161  Gannaway Bros. Jewelry.                               
Gasser.....................................          308  John Gasser & Son.                                    
Gasser.....................................          147  John Gasser & Son.                                    
Geiss......................................          663  Geiss & Sons.                                         
Gem Society................................          741  American Gem Society.                                 
Gem Lab....................................          274  The Gem Lab.                                          
Gem East...................................          739  Gem East Corporation.                                 
Gem Wave...................................          347  Gem Wave, Inc.                                        
Gem Classics...............................          668  Gem Classics, Ltd.                                    
Gem Smith..................................          544  The Gem Smith Inc.                                    
Gem Vest...................................          627  Gem Vest.                                             
Gemma......................................          698  Gemma Gallery.                                        
Gems.......................................          207  Gems & Treasures.                                     
Gemsmith...................................          203  Gemsmith Design Gallery Jewelry.                      
Gemstone...................................          586  Gemstone Creations.                                   
General....................................          699  General Findings.                                     
GIA........................................          659  Gemological Institute of America.                     
Giganti....................................          114  Giganti Jewelers.                                     
GIJ........................................          705  Gemologist International Jewelry.                     
Ginsberg...................................          468  M.C. Ginsberg Jewelers, Inc.                          
Gioielli...................................          682  Arata Gioielli.                                       

[[Page 16680]]

                                                                                                                
Glasser....................................          337  Gemillion Casting Inc.                                
Gleim......................................          539  Gleim the Jeweler.                                    
Glenn Bletz................................          224  Glenn Bletz & Associates.                             
Godfrey....................................          113  Godfrey Jewelers.                                     
Gold Works.................................          651  Gold Works.                                           
Gold Rush..................................           30  The Gold Rush.                                        
Gold Button................................          462  Gold Button Jewelers, Inc.                            
Gold Arts..................................          653  Gold Arts.                                            
Gold.......................................          118  Gold-N-Designs.                                       
Gold Art...................................          552  Gold Art Handmade Jewelry.                            
Gold.......................................          119  Gold-N-Designs.                                       
Golden Crown...............................          233  Golden Crown Jewelers.                                
Golden's...................................          234  Golden's.                                             
Goldex.....................................          339  Goldex Fine Jewelry.                                  
Goldin.....................................          403  Goldin Jewelers Inc.                                  
Goldman....................................          753  Goldman.                                              
Goldman....................................          611  Frederick Goldman, Inc.                               
Goldsmith..................................          231  Michael's Goldsmith Service, Inc.                     
Goldsmith..................................          380  Goldsmith Jewelers.                                   
Goldsmiths.................................          679  Brown Goldsmiths.                                     
Goldworks..................................          584  The Goldworks.                                        
Good.......................................          792  Michael Good Designs, Inc.                            
Goodman....................................          509  Goodman & Sons Jewelers.                              
Goodwin....................................          784  Goodwin Manufacturing.                                
Goph.......................................          386  Goph & Co.                                            
Goph Albitz................................          385  Goph Albitz Designs.                                  
Gordon.....................................           44  Samuel Gordon Jewelers & Diamond.                     
Gottlieb...................................          257  Gottlieb & Sons, Inc.                                 
Gould......................................           56  Gould's Diamonds & Jewelry.                           
Gould's....................................          271  Gould's Diamonds & Jewelry.                           
Grader.....................................           17  Grader Jewelers.                                      
Graubart...................................          322  Maurice B. Graubart & Sons, Jewelers.                 
Gravano....................................           68  John Gravano & Co.                                    
Grebitus...................................          581  Grebitus & Sons Jewelers.                             
Grebitus...................................          517  Grebitus & Sons Jewelers.                             
Green......................................          644  Lux Bond & Green.                                     
Greenfield.................................          195  Greenfield Jewelers.                                  
Gross......................................          256  H.L. Gross & Bros.                                    
Grossman...................................           83  Gale Grossman.                                        
Grove......................................          514  Diamonds in the Grove.                                
Grunos.....................................          795  Grunos of Rockford.                                   
H & H......................................          600  H & H Design.                                         
H. & H.....................................          660  H. & H. Jewels, Inc.                                  
Hadley.....................................          751  A.H. Hadley & Co.                                     
Hadley.....................................          752  A.H. Hadley & Co.                                     
Haimoff....................................          652  Haimoff & Haimoff.                                    
Hale's.....................................          516  Hale's.                                               
Halina.....................................          116  Halina Fuchs.                                         
Haltom.....................................          245  Mary Haltom Jeweler.                                  
Hamilton...................................          393  Hamilton Jewelers.                                    
Hammond's..................................          729  Hammond's.                                            
Hands......................................          578  Hands Jewelers.                                       
Hank.......................................          177  Hank & Co.                                            
Hansen.....................................          335  Hansen Designs.                                       
Hardy's....................................          613  Hardy's Diamonds.                                     
Harold's...................................          767  Harold's Jewelry Inc.                                 
Harold's...................................          557  Harold's Jewelry Inc.                                 
Hartmann...................................          793  Hartmann Jewelers.                                    
Hartsfield.................................          572  B. Sanfield, Inc.                                     
Hauser.....................................          383  Hauser & Miller Company.                              
Hauser's...................................          774  Hauser's Jewelers.                                    
Hawken.....................................          629  Armetrout-Hawken.                                     
Hayman.....................................          184  David Hayman Jewelers.                                
Hebblethwaite..............................          353  Hebblethwaite.                                        
Heer.......................................          677  Jandina Heer.                                         
Heffern....................................          560  Elleard B. Heffern, Inc.                              
Heffern....................................          561  Elleard B. Heffern, Inc.                              
Heier......................................          624  Heier Resources.                                      
Heller.....................................           33  Heller Antiques Ltd.                                  
Henri's....................................           85  Henri's Jewelry Co.                                   
Heron......................................          328  G.B. Heron.                                           
Herrud.....................................           92  Herrud Jewelers.                                      

[[Page 16681]]

                                                                                                                
Herteen....................................          508  Herteen & Stocker.                                    
Heyman.....................................          397  Oscar Heyman & Brothers, Inc.                         
Higgins....................................          621  Higgins Jewelers.                                     
Hill.......................................           11  Hill Jewelers.                                        
Holder.....................................           40  Mark Holder Jeweler.                                  
Holland's..................................          607  Holland's.                                            
Hollis.....................................          531  Hollis & Company Jewelers.                            
Hollis.....................................          467  Hollis & Company Jewelers.                            
Hollis.....................................          532  Hollis & Company Jewelers.                            
Hoover.....................................          479  Hoover & Strong.                                      
Horwitz....................................          100  Horwitz Jewelers.                                     
Houck's....................................          319  Houck's Jewelry.                                      
Houston....................................           65  Houston Gold Exchange.                                
Houston....................................          266  Houston Jewelers.                                     
Houston....................................          164  Houston Jewelry.                                      
Howard's...................................          357  Howard's Mfg. Jewelers.                               
Huffords...................................          588  Huffords Jewelry, Inc.                                
Hunter.....................................           93  Johannes Hunter Jewelers.                             
Hunters....................................          441  Hunters Jewelers Ltd.                                 
Hunter's...................................           98  Hunter's Jewelers Ltd.                                
Hurst......................................          763  Berwyn Jewelers, Inc.                                 
Illumina...................................          387  Illumina Gallery.                                     
Indigo.....................................           31  Indigo Gallery.                                       
Indorf.....................................          167  Peter Indorf Jewelers.                                
Inlow......................................          490  Inlow Designs Jewelers.                               
Inter Gold.................................          693  Inter Gold (India) Limited.                           
Int'l. Soc. App............................          791  International Society of Appraisers.                  
Isis.......................................          406  Isis Jewelers Inc.                                    
Itelman....................................          277  Herco.                                                
J. Dery....................................          237  J. Dery Jewelers.                                     
Jacart.....................................          162  Jacart Gold Exchange.                                 
Jain.......................................          683  Inter Gold (India) Limited.                           
JAS........................................          375  JAS Jewelers, Inc.                                    
Jeannie's..................................          390  Jeannie's Jewelry & Design.                           
Jewel Box..................................          474  The Jewel Box.                                        
Jeweler....................................          198  Jeweler to the Trade, Inc.                            
Jewelers...................................           62  Jewelers Workshop.                                    
Jewelers, Inc..............................          646  Jewelers of America, Inc.                             
Jeweler's Bench............................          742  Jeweler's Bench.                                      
Jeweler's Bench............................          769  Jeweler's Bench.                                      
Jewelry Designer...........................          770  Jewelry Designer.                                     
Jewels.....................................          505  Jewels Salon & Boutique.                              
JIC........................................          758  Jewelry Information Center.                           
Joaillier..................................           24  Fred Joaillier, Inc.                                  
Johnson Matthey............................          396  Johnson Matthey.                                      
Johnson....................................          220  Johnson Gems.                                         
Joliff.....................................          678  The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.       
Jolly's....................................          249  Jolly's Jewelers and Silversmiths.                    
Jones......................................           81  Jones & Jones Jewelers.                               
Jones......................................           75  Jones & Jones Jewelers.                               
Jones......................................          569  Indigo Gallery.                                       
Jordan.....................................          631  Facets.                                               
Josephson..................................          579  C.I. Josephson Jewelers.                              
Jostens....................................          493  Jostens.                                              
JRB........................................          632  Jeweler's Resource Bureau.                            
Juniker....................................          121  Juniker Jewelry Co.                                   
JVC........................................          433  JVC Ferrara Co., Inc.                                 
Kaiser.....................................          495  Johann Kaiser.                                        
Kam........................................          338  Wayne Kam Goldsmith.                                  
Kamen......................................          407  Robert C. Kamen.                                      
Kaplan.....................................          643  Lazare Kaplan.                                        
Karat Gold.................................          183  Karat Gold Corner.                                    
Karat......................................          170  Karat Gold Jewelers.                                  
Karat Patch................................          208  Karat Patch Jewelry, Inc.                             
Karen's....................................          731  Karen's Jewelers.                                     
Kazto......................................          592  Kazto.                                                
Keepsake...................................           74  JC Keepsake, Inc.                                     
Keith......................................            5  Keith, Inc.                                           
Kelley.....................................          428  Kelley Jewelers.                                      
Kelley.....................................          429  Kelley Jewelers.                                      
Kelrick....................................          587  Finger Mate, Inc.                                     
Kelrick....................................          796  Finger Mate, Inc.                                     

[[Page 16682]]

                                                                                                                
Kendall....................................          800  Kendall Gemological Services, Inc.                    
Kendrick...................................          294  Merkley Kendrick.                                     
Kendrick...................................          669  Merkley Kendrick.                                     
Kerr.......................................          591  Kerr Jewelry Division.                                
Keystone...................................          143  Keystone Findings, Inc.                               
Khamis.....................................          213  Khamis Fine Jewelers.                                 
Kiger......................................           27  Keppie Kiger.                                         
Kingsgate..................................          333  Kingsgate Diamonds, Inc.                              
Kirk.......................................           28  Kirk Jewelers.                                        
Kizer......................................          415  Kizer Cummings Jewelers.                              
Klecka.....................................           10  Paul Klecka.                                          
Klecka.....................................          485  Paul Klecka.                                          
Klima......................................          120  Tyler Klima.                                          
Knights....................................          365  Norm Knights.                                         
Knowles....................................          422  Knowles.                                              
Kohler's...................................          344  Kohler's Fine Jewelry.                                
Kokkelers..................................          340  Kokkelers.                                            
Kolman.....................................          440  Kolman Jewelers.                                      
Krementz...................................          798  Krementz & Co.                                        
Krenikow...................................          719  International Colored Gemstone Association.           
Kreuter....................................          489  Jack Kreuter Jewelers.                                
Krieger....................................          309  Hans D. Krieger.                                      
Krieger....................................          776  Hans D. Krieger.                                      
Kuhn.......................................          444  Kuhn, Inc.                                            
La Prad....................................          341  Robert E. La Prad.                                    
Lacert.....................................          755  William H. Lacert.                                    
Lacher.....................................          409  J.B. Lacher, Inc.                                     
Lacy.......................................          735  Lacy & Co.                                            
Lambert....................................          399  Bruce Lambert.                                        
Landau.....................................           61  J. Landau, Inc.                                       
Leach......................................          650  Leach & Garner.                                       
Leber......................................           45  Leber Limited.                                        
Leitzel's..................................          238  Leitzel's Jewelry.                                    
Leon's.....................................          124  Leon's Jewelers.                                      
Levin......................................           29  Jack A. Levin.                                        
Levy.......................................          457  Levy Jewelers.                                        
Levy.......................................          262  Levy Jewelers.                                        
Lieberfarb.................................          253  Lieberfarb, Inc.                                      
Liska......................................          733  David W. Liska Co.                                    
Living Stones..............................          778  Living Stones Enterprises.                            
Lone Star..................................           55  Lone Star Gold Exchange.                              
Long.......................................          373  Long Jewelers.                                        
Lord.......................................          314  Lord of the Rings.                                    
Love's.....................................          466  Love's.                                               
Luxor......................................          150  Luxor Jewelers, Inc.                                  
M & M......................................          475  M & M Jewelry Repair.                                 
M & J......................................          714  M & J Jewelry.                                        
M.J. Reed..................................          302  M.J. Reed Jewelers.                                   
M.J........................................          622  M.J. Jewellers Ltd.                                   
MAB........................................          716  MAB Jewelers.                                         
Magnon.....................................          620  Magnon Jewelers.                                      
Mandarin...................................           25  Mandarin Gems.                                        
Mangan.....................................           51  Mangan Jewelers.                                      
Mangan.....................................           52  Mangan Jewelers.                                      
Mark Michael...............................          637  Mark Michael Designs, Inc.                            
Mark Diamonds..............................          286  Mark Diamonds Jewelers.                               
Markides...................................          780  Markides Jewelers.                                    
Marla......................................          155  Gregg Marla Co.                                       
Marshalls..................................          247  Marshalls of Milford, Jewelers.                       
Marshall's.................................          246  Marshall's.                                           
Mart.......................................          417  Cal. Jewelry Mart.                                    
Martin.....................................           99  A.J. Martin.                                          
Marvin.....................................          605  Marvin & Sons.                                        
Marvin.....................................          657  Marvin & Sons.                                        
Marvin.....................................          478  Marvin & Sons.                                        
Marvin.....................................          452  Marvin & Sons.                                        
Maslan.....................................            9  Richard Maslan & Company.                             
Master.....................................          465  Master Goldsmiths.                                    
Master.....................................          106  Master Goldsmith Collection.                          
Masters....................................          157  Color Masters.                                        
Masters....................................          649  Masters.                                              
Mathews....................................          281  C. Mathews Design.                                    

[[Page 16683]]

                                                                                                                
Mathews....................................          779  C. Mathews Design.                                    
Matlick....................................          734  Penny Matlick Fine Jewelry Company.                   
Mayfield's.................................          754  Mayfield's Co.                                        
McArthur...................................          617  McArthur Jewelers.                                    
McFadden...................................          168  William F. McFadden, Inc.                             
McKay......................................          401  Bruce McKay.                                          
McKeller...................................          618  Aay McKeller.                                         
McMullen...................................          139  J. McMullen Jewelry.                                  
Measetique.................................          362  Measetique Jewels.                                    
Mednikow...................................          296  Mednikow.                                             
Megginson..................................          790  Megginson Fine Jewelers.                              
Megginson..................................          787  Megginson Fine Jewelers.                              
Mel........................................          130  Mel's Diamond House.                                  
Michaels...................................          601  Michaels Jewelers.                                    
Michael's..................................          573  Michael's Jewelers.                                   
Michael's..................................          136  Michael's Jewelers.                                   
Mike.......................................          700  Mike Hullingsurt.                                     
Mirjam.....................................          768  Mirjam Butz & Brown Jewelers.                         
Mithril....................................          692  Mithril, Ltd. Jewelers.                               
MJSA.......................................          799  Manufacturing Jewelers & Silversmiths of America.     
Modern.....................................          538  Modern Diamond Jewelry.                               
Moeller....................................          670  R.F. Moeller Jeweler.                                 
Molberg's..................................          633  Molberg's, Inc.                                       
Molina.....................................          533  Molina.                                               
Montanari..................................          642  Montanari.                                            
Montgomery.................................          342  Ned V. Montgomery.                                    
Moore's....................................          689  Moore's Jewelers.                                     
Moose......................................          757  Frank L. Moose Jeweler, Inc.                          
Moretti's..................................          576  Moretti's Fine Jewelry.                               
Morgan's...................................          623  Morgan's Jewelers.                                    
Morrissey..................................          269  Morrissey Fine Jewelry.                               
Moses......................................          647  Moses Jewelers.                                       
Moses......................................          445  Moses Jewelers.                                       
Mossner....................................          240  Mossner.                                              
Moyer......................................          619  Moyer Jewelers, Inc.                                  
Moyer......................................          145  Moyer & Co.                                           
MSK........................................          323  MSK Designs.                                          
Mulhollen..................................          135  Mulhollen Jewelry Design.                             
Mullen.....................................           57  Mullen Bros. Jewelers.                                
Muller.....................................          352  Muller Jewelers.                                      
MWM........................................          450  MWM Goldsmithing.                                     
Mystik.....................................          697  Mystik Jewellery.                                     
Nakamura...................................          313  Jerry M. Nakamura & Sons.                             
Nathan.....................................          553  Nathan Design.                                        
Nature's 10................................          596  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          565  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          595  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          594  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          567  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          566  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          563  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          564  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nature's 10................................          562  Nature's 10 Jewelers.                                 
Nazarian...................................          603  R.S. Nazarian Jewelry Manufacturing.                  
Neiman.....................................           22  Neiman Jewelers.                                      
Neiman.....................................          775  Neiman Marcus.                                        
Nelson.....................................          395  Ken Nelson.                                           
Nengelken..................................          590  Niessing.                                             
New York...................................          408  New York Jewelers and Collateral Co.                  
Newton.....................................          547  Newton Industries, Inc.                               
Nicholls...................................          736  Paradise Jewelry.                                     
Nordstrom..................................          666  Nordstrom.                                            
Norris.....................................           54  Norris Jewelers, Inc.                                 
Northern...................................           91  Northern Light Gems.                                  
Novell.....................................          181  Novell Enterprises, Inc.                              
Novell.....................................          180  Novell Enterprises, Inc.                              
Novell.....................................          182  Novell Enterprises, Inc.                              
Numis......................................          197  Numis International, Inc.                             
OGL........................................          691  Ohio Gemological Laboratory, Inc.                     
Old World..................................           18  Old World Jewelers.                                   
Olde.......................................          112  Olde World Jewelers.                                  
Olson......................................          706  Cynthia Olson Jewelry.                                

[[Page 16684]]

                                                                                                                
Omega......................................          306  Omega Casting Corporation.                            
Opulence...................................          268  Opulence.                                             
ORA........................................          348  ORA Designers.                                        
Orange Blossom.............................          189  Orange Blossom Jewelers.                              
Orin.......................................          534  Orin Jewelers, Inc.                                   
Orlando....................................          146  Joseph C. Orlando, Inc.                               
Ostbye.....................................          366  Ostbye & Anderson Ultrablue Mfg.                      
Ostling....................................          640  Ostling & Brooks, Ltd.                                
OWJ........................................          359  OWJ                                                   
Pace.......................................          141  Pace Jewelers, Inc.                                   
Pace.......................................          425  Pace.                                                 
Pacific....................................          327  Pacific Gemological Laboratory, Inc.                  
Padilla....................................          191  Padilla Jewelers.                                     
Palmieri...................................          772  D.A. Palmieri Co., Inc.                               
Palo Alto..................................          196  Diamonds of Palo Alto.                                
Panther....................................          500  Platinum Panther.                                     
Paradise...................................          749  Paradise.                                             
Paradise...................................          702  Paradise Associates.                                  
Parker.....................................           50  Curt Parker, Inc.                                     
Parker.....................................          738  Curt Parker, Inc.                                     
Parker.....................................          737  Curt Parker, Inc.                                     
Pasdera....................................           37  Pasdera Custom Jewelers.                              
Patton.....................................          481  R&I Patton.                                           
Pattons....................................          419  Pattons.                                              
Pattons....................................          418  Pattons.                                              
Pavlotzky..................................          766  George L. Pavlotzky & Son, Inc.                       
Pearlman's.................................          498  Pearlman's.                                           
Pegasus....................................          554  Pegasus Jewelry.                                      
PeJay......................................          154  PeJay Creations Ltd.                                  
Pejois.....................................          381  Pejois, Inc.                                          
Perret.....................................           71  Etienne Perret.                                       
Peters.....................................          701  Handy & Harman.                                       
PGI........................................          272  Platinum Guild International USA Jewelry Inc.         
PGI........................................          718  Platinum Guild International USA Jewelry, Inc.        
PGI........................................          378  Platinum Guild International USA Jewelry Inc.         
PGI........................................          391  Platinum Guild Int'l. USA Jewelry Inc.                
Phillip....................................          464  Phillip Original Jewelry.                             
Phillippus.................................          175  Phillippus.                                           
Phillippvs.................................          615  Phillippvs & Co. Inc.                                 
Pilcher....................................          212  Pilcher Jewelry Company.                              
Plante.....................................          350  Plante Jewelers.                                      
Platinum Unlimited.........................          583  Platinum Unlimited Inc.                               
Platinum Plus..............................          636  Platinum Plus Jewelry, Inc.                           
Plumb......................................          524  Plumb Gold Ltd.                                       
Plumb......................................          431  Plumb Gold Ltd.                                       
Potichke...................................          430  Linda Potichke Jewelry Design.                        
Prospector.................................          712  The Prospector, Inc.                                  
Prospector.................................          713  The Prospector, Inc.                                  
ProVockative...............................          223  ProVockative Gems, Inc.                               
Purvis.....................................          267  Purvis Jewelers.                                      
Quality....................................          472  Quality Casting Inc.                                  
Quinn's....................................          555  Quinn's Goldsmith.                                    
Rafinity...................................          384  Rafinity.                                             
Raskin.....................................          527  Kemp Metal Products, Inc.                             
Rawlings...................................          732  Rawlings Jewelry.                                     
Raymond....................................           59  Raymond Lee Jewelers.                                 
Refined....................................           41  Refined Designs.                                      
Refractal..................................          694  Refractal Design, Inc.                                
Reising....................................          421  Reising International Inc.                            
Republic...................................          667  Republic Metals Corporation.                          
Restifo's..................................          152  Restifo's Jewelry Laboratory.                         
Restifo's..................................          487  Restifo's Jewelry Laboratory.                         
Reuschleiz.................................           94  C.F. Reuschleiz, Inc.                                 
Reznikov...................................           78  Reznikov's.                                           
Richards...................................          602  Anne Richard Designs.                                 
Richard's..................................          115  Richard's Jewelry.                                    
Rivclan....................................          496  Sandy Rirdon Peweters.                                
Robann's...................................          186  Robann's Jewelers.                                    
Robbins....................................          376  Bernie Robbins.                                       
Robbins....................................          125  Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry.                          
Robins.....................................          169  Robins Jewelers.                                      
Robinson...................................          499  Barnett Robinson, Inc.                                

[[Page 16685]]

                                                                                                                
Roni.......................................          178  Roni Jewel                                            
Root.......................................          360  C. Kirk Root Designs.                                 
Root.......................................          414  C. Kirk Root Designs.                                 
Roth.......................................          455  Karen Roth.                                           
Royal......................................          107  Royal Jewelers, Inc.                                  
Royal......................................          307  Royal Jewelry Mfg. Inc.                               
Royston....................................          750  Royston Jewels.                                       
Rubel......................................          484  Fredric H. Rubel.                                     
Rudolf.....................................          806  OE Design.                                            
Rummele's..................................          123  Rummele's Jewelers.                                   
Rutledge...................................          747  Neil Rutledge & Co.                                   
RV Coin....................................          166  RV Coin & Jewelry Exchange.                           
Sadovsky...................................          480  Mark Sadovsky Jeweler.                                
Sammartino.................................          546  Diamonds by Sammartino Sisters, Inc.                  
Sammor.....................................          349  Sammor.                                               
Samuel.....................................          612  Samuel Jewels, Inc.                                   
San Diego..................................          132  Manufacturing Jewelers of San Diego.                  
Sandberg...................................          228  Sandberg & Sikorski.                                  
Sandberg...................................          411  Sandberg & Sikorski Corporation.                      
Sawyer.....................................           23  George Sawyer Design.                                 
Saxon......................................          626  Saxon.                                                
Schalla....................................          209  Schalla Jeweler.                                      
Schechter..................................          451  Honora Industries, Inc.                               
Scheherazade...............................          427  Scheherazade.                                         
Schmidt....................................          251  R.J. Schmidt.                                         
Schmitt....................................          142  Adam Schmitt.                                         
Schoenke...................................          300  Platinum Jewelers.                                    
Schoenke...................................          604  Platinum Jewelers.                                    
Schwanke...................................           64  Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers.                             
Schwartz...................................          709  Charles Schwartz.                                     
Schwarzschild..............................          764  Schwarzschild Jewelers.                               
Servis.....................................           16  Servis and Taylor Jewellers.                          
Servis.....................................          282  Servis & Taylor Jewellers.                            
Servis.....................................          326  Servis & Taylor Jewellers.                            
Sheftall...................................          140  The Sheftall Co..                                     
Shelton....................................          518  Shelton Jewelers, Ltd.                                
Shersher...................................          374  Casting Platina Services.                             
Shersher...................................            1  Casting Platina Services.                             
Shiboski...................................          598  Shiboski.                                             
Siegel.....................................          315  Siegel Jewelers.                                      
SIGI.......................................          454  SIGI Design.                                          
Signatures.................................          321  Signatures.                                           
Silver.....................................          276  Michael Jewelers.                                     
Silver House...............................          330  Silver House & Co. International, Inc.                
Silvergate.................................          794  Silvergate Farms.                                     
Sipe.......................................           21  J.C. Sipe Jewelers.                                   
Sipe.......................................           20  J.C. Sipe Jewelers.                                   
Sipe.......................................           19  J.C. Sipe Jewelers.                                   
Sissy's....................................          559  Sissy's Log Cabin.                                    
Sites......................................          434  Sites Jewelers.                                       
Skipped....................................          540  Skipped number.                                       
Skomaroske.................................          575  JoAnn Skomaroske.                                     
Smith......................................          762  Winston Studio & Imports.                             
Smith & Bevill.............................          324  Smith & Bevill Jewelers, Inc.                         
Smith......................................           42  Robert Smith Jeweler, Inc.                            
Smyth......................................          111  Albert S. Smyth Company, Inc.                         
Snyder.....................................          773  Snyder Jewelers.                                      
Snyder.....................................           86  Wixon Jewelers.                                       
Solomons...................................          405  Solomons Jewelers.                                    
Solover....................................          367  Solover Jewelers Inc.                                 
Sordo......................................          447  Olivia Sordo.                                         
Southeast Gem..............................          745  Southeast Gemological Laboratory.                     
Spirer-Somes...............................           15  Spirer-Somes Jewelers.                                
Spirit.....................................          655  Spirit of the Earth.                                  
Spreckman..................................          105  Hy Spreckman & Sons, Inc.                             
St. Clair..................................          202  St. Clair Jewelers.                                   
Stadheim's.................................          426  Stadheim's.                                           
Stanley....................................          239  Stanley Jewelers Gemologist, Inc.                     
Starfire...................................          488  Starfire Gems.                                        
Stepan-Hill................................          740  Stepan-Hill Jewelry Designers.                        
Steven's...................................          345  Harold Steven's Jewelers, Inc.                        
Stuller....................................          630  Stuller.                                              

[[Page 16686]]

                                                                                                                
Sturgill...................................           67  P.R. Sturgill.                                        
Sturhan....................................          278  Sturhan Jewelers.                                     
Sullivan...................................          703  Artcarved Bridal Jewelry.                             
Suna.......................................          801  Suna Bros., Inc.                                      
Sunburst...................................          704  Sunburst Jewelers.                                    
Suncoast...................................          803  Suncoast Gem.                                         
Sunshine...................................          783  Shrarlol Sunshine.                                    
Sutter's...................................          420  Sutter's.                                             
Swanson....................................          684  Swanson Jewelers, Inc.                                
Sweet......................................          172  Howard H. Sweet & Son.                                
Symmetry...................................          254  Symmetry Jewelers.                                    
Tallmon's..................................          258  Tallmon's Diamondland.                                
Talner.....................................          448  Leonard Talner Jewelers, Inc.                         
Tanner.....................................          192  O.C. Tanner.                                          
Tavernier..................................          781  Tavernier Enterprises.                                
Taylor.....................................            2  Grady G. Taylor Jewelry, Inc.                         
Terry......................................          279  Terry & Bess.                                         
Thomas Joseph..............................          320  Thomas Joseph & Sons.                                 
Tiffany....................................          761  Tiffany & Co.                                         
Tiga.......................................           66  Tiga, Inc.                                            
TIGA.......................................          412  TIGA Inc.                                             
Toback.....................................          645  Myron Toback, Inc.                                    
Toby's.....................................          648  Toby's Gems & Treasures.                              
Toenniges..................................          190  Toenniges Jewelers, Inc.                              
Tompkins...................................          346  Tompkins, Inc.                                        
Towne......................................          284  Towne Jewelers.                                       
TQ.........................................          400  TQ Diamonds.                                          
Traditional................................          526  Traditional Jewelers.                                 
Tripp......................................          138  Tripp Jewelry & Sculpture.                            
Tripton....................................          368  Tripton Fine Jewelry, Inc.                            
Turgeon....................................          609  Turgeon Raine Jewellers, Inc.                         
Turi.......................................          446  Charles Turi Jewelry Co.                              
Tyrony.....................................          356  Tyrony Jewelers.                                      
Underwood's................................          244  Underwood's Fine Jewelers.                            
Underwood's................................          477  Underwood's Fine Jewelers.                            
Unique.....................................          227  Unique Designs.                                       
Unsigned...................................          402  Unsigned Letter.                                      
Upton......................................          432  Bill Upton.                                           
Urban......................................          574  Urban Jewelers.                                       
Valente....................................          771  Valente Jewelers.                                     
Ventro.....................................          625  Donaldo & Heidi Ventro.                               
Village Goldsmith..........................          804  The Village Goldsmith, Inc.                           
Village....................................          520  Village Coin Shop, Inc.                               
Vincent....................................          389  S. Vincent Jeweler, Inc.                              
Vista's....................................           53  Vista's Fine Jewelry.                                 
Vulcan's...................................          265  Vulcan's Forge.                                       
Wachler....................................            7  David Wachler & Sons Jewellers.                       
Wachler....................................          363  David Wachler & Sons Jewellers.                       
Wachler....................................            8  David Wachler & Sons Jewellers.                       
Walters....................................          410  Walters & Hogsett.                                    
Walzel.....................................          200  Cherryll Walzel Collections.                          
Ward.......................................          685  Krinkle Horn.                                         
Warner.....................................          522  Warner Co. Jewelers.                                  
Watkins....................................          628  John Watkins.                                         
Watkins....................................          616  John Watkins.                                         
Wayne......................................          688  Wayne Jewelers & Silversmiths, Inc.                   
Wayne......................................           76  Wayne Jewelers & Silversmiths, Inc.                   
Westphal...................................          331  Westphal Jewelers.                                    
White......................................          351  Jeffrey H. White.                                     
Whitney Boin...............................          744  Whitney Boin Studio.                                  
Whitney....................................          748  The Whitney Way.                                      
Williams...................................          187  Williams Jewelers.                                    
Williams...................................           77  Williams Distinctive Gems.                            
Willowdale.................................          242  Willowdale Studio.                                    
Wilson.....................................          304  Wilson Fine Jewelers.                                 
Wilson.....................................          570  Michael Wilson.                                       
Wilson.....................................          225  Wilson Diamonds.                                      
Wimberly...................................          318  Wimberly Jewelers.                                    
Winc.......................................          662  Winc Creations.                                       
Winward....................................          261  Winward Corporation.                                  
Wolls......................................          507  Fran Wolls.                                           
Worthington................................          503  Will Worthington Jewelers.                            

[[Page 16687]]

                                                                                                                
Wright.....................................          259  Wright & Lato, Inc.                                   
Wright's...................................           69  Wright's Jewelers.                                    
Wyman......................................          358  Wyman Jewelers, Inc.                                  
Yanke......................................          717  Yanke Designs.                                        
York.......................................          756  Christine York.                                       
Zane.......................................          542  Zane Design.                                          
Zerbe......................................          293  Zerbe Jewelers Inc.                                   
Zimmer.....................................          230  Zimmer Brothers.                                      
Zoltan.....................................          134  Zoltan David.                                         
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[FR Doc. 97-8942 Filed 4-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P