Source: http://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Jewelry-Gemstones/Modified-Original-Post-Regarding-FTC-Guidelines-Notice/td-p/1009540
Timestamp: 2015-06-02 21:39:15
Document Index: 783455222

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', '§ 23', 'art 245', '§ 23']

Modified Original Post Regarding FTC Guidelines No... - The eBay Community
broochbrooch pingoldpendantpin18kabalonealfred philippebeads braceletbrassbrooch Etched flowersbuyingcarved plastic flowerscolorcoroCoro vintage broochcuff braceletcurved broochcurved gold broochcurved gold pinDantedatingdesignerfiguralfinishingfishflorenza stonesgeckogemstone
Re: Is there a way to touch up worn plating?
Modified Original Post Regarding FTC Guidelines Notice
We have deleted the original thread attached to the 10/25 Board Post "Important Notice: FTC Guidelines" because we modified our position slightly on the use of the word diamond. The new position regarding the use of the word diamond with a qualifier for CZ, Moissanites etc. is stated in Posting #4 in the Board Side Chat held last Friday.
To avoid confusion, we have deleted the old thread because it contained outdated information. We felt it important to keep the many member responses, so we will copy and paste them in this thread.
We have deleted our out-of-date/potentially misleading answers and typed in their place "Please see Board Side Chat thread for updated answers from eBay on this question."
(on behalf of The Jewelry and Watches Team)
Lulu Community Development eBay Report Inappropriate Content	Message 1 of 7
Re: Modified Original Post Regarding FTC Guidelines Notice
Here are the responses from the original thread. Again - thanks for your understanding. ---------------------------------------------------------
As of this month, eBay will be doing more to educate sellers about the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines for Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries. These guidelines are intended to protect consumers by encouraging sellers to describe their items accurately. Please review the FTC guidelines at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.pdf and ensure your listings meet the FTC guidelines, including Stores Fixed Price Good Until Cancelled listings. Below are examples of listings that violate FTC and/or eBay guidelines:
-- Diamond CZ tennis bracelet
-- CZ tennis bracelet, not diamond
If the item is not a diamond, as defined by the FTC above, the word diamond cannot be used in either the title or description of the item.
-- Crtd diamond
-- Sim diamond
If the item is not conspicuously described as created or simulated , as defined by the FTC above, the word diamond cannot be used in either the title or description of the item.
Listings that do not adhere fully to the FTC guidelines will be not permitted on the site and ended. Sellers are expected to correct all of their Stores Fixed Price Listings. The policy will be officially posted in the next week and will be effective immediately upon posting. The FTC guidelines state the word gold may only be used to describe an item with more than karat fineness of 10 or higher. So, to ensure potential buyers are not misled, you should use the word “gold” in jewelry listings only to describe an item that has a karat (also sometimes spelled carat) fineness of 10 or higher. You may use percentage terms to describe the percentage of gold contained in the alloy such as “this is an alloy that contains 37.5 percent gold". You may not describe an item as “9kt gold” (or any other karat fineness of less than 10) on eBay except that you may state the following in an item description: "This item is made of an alloy that contains a percentage of gold (and has been stamped with “_ kt”) but should not be considered gold because under government guidelines this item does not contain a significant enough percentage to be considered gold."
When using this text in an item description, you may not use the term “gold” in the item title. Please refer to the eBay policy when it is posted in the next week for more details.
We appreciate your cooperation and compliance with these guidelines as adhering to these guidelines are not only required by government guidelines but will also improve the buying experience on the site.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Community and especially the active members of this Discussion Board for bringing this matter to our attention and helping us learn more about the issue. We have spoken with several of you over the past 3-4 weeks, and thank you for your commitment to the eBay marketplace.
If you have questions regarding this announcement or other eBay policies, please post them here and we will do our best to clarify.
The Jewelry and Watches Team
aquadrops (210) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 11:06 AM(#1 of 80) Thank you! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zebicats (70) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 11:14 AM(#2 of 80) Great news! Can't wait to see the results. Patricia. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lakeside_fancys (1) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 04:57 PM(#3 of 80) I have several questions:
When you state "the word diamond cannot be used in either the title or description of the item".
Does this mean that terms like 'diamond cut' or 'diamond shaped' cannot be used?
"You may not describe an item as “9kt gold” (or any other karat fineness of less than 10) on eBay except that you may state the following in an item description:"
Does this statement mean that the term 9K can be used in the description if your disclaimer is added in the description? Can the term .375 be used in the title?
One of the other discussions states that 9k gold will not be permitted on the US auctions. Does this mean that you have changed your position on the sale of 9K gold on the US auctions?
And will ebay be instituting all of the FTC guidelines concerning jewelry, diamonds, gemstones and watches?
adove2000 (private) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 05:05 PM(#4 of 80) AWSOME EBAY !!!!! THANK YOU !! Could this include all
gemstones (colored gems) like: ruby, sapphire, emerald,
turquoise, spinel, and all the other natural gems?
Thank you so much! Maybe now things will begin to turn around.
Thank you to ALL who have prompted this action!
unique_and_precious (716) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 06:01 PM(#5 of 80) OK, it's about time you guys listen to what has been said. Elias and many others have fronted a majestic effort at getting this action enforced. To bad that vintage and antique 9ct. hallmark "GOLD" items from UK have to suffer from the FTC guidelines being enforced, but it's worth it if the 23,000+ listings now posted with "CZ Diamond" are taken down. The sooner the better.
Does Ebay plan on making a sweep of all auctions containing both in title and descriptions and ending them, or are they going to give the listers a warning?
I vote for pulling them ASAP. This will make for one great Christmas gift to the honest sellers on the system.
Jim M. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jewelryandwatches@ebay.com (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 06:15 PM(#6 of 80) Thank you for your feedback. Here are some responses to your questions:
1 ) "You may not describe an item as “9kt gold” (or any other karat fineness of less than 10) on eBay except that you may state the following in an item description:"Does this statement mean that the term 9K can be used in the description if your disclaimer is added in the description? Can the term .375 be used in the title?
We do not think you can use 9k or 9kt or any variation thereof that implies "gold" to the buyer or .375 etc. However, we will check with our colleagues in Legal and Policy to get their guidance on this.
2) . One of the other discussions states that 9k gold will not be permitted on the US auctions. Does this mean that you have changed your position on the sale of 9K gold on the US auctions?
What we learned in our discussions with sellers and the FTC is this: it's not that selling the alloy that used to be called 9 kt "gold" is not permitted. What is not permitted is referring to that alloy as "gold". You can continue to list and sell jewelry that is made with alloys with a fineness of less than 10 karat gold; you just cannot refer to these alloys as gold in the item title or description. And you should not list these items under a "gold" category.
3 .) And will ebay be instituting all of the FTC guidelines concerning jewelry, diamonds, gemstones and watches?
All US laws and regulations must be followed on eBay. We have taken an extra step this week to better educate eBay sellers about FTC guidelines so that they better adhere to the regulations and guidelines in their listings. While we have called out the specifics of the regulations as regards diamonds and 9 kt gold -- because community members asked questions these specific items --sellers are expected to follow all US laws and regulations including FTC regulations while listing and transacting on eBay. We hope this information is helpful. Keep the questions coming and we will try to answer them as quickly as we can. Remember to focus on your New Listings and then to clean up any Stores Fixed Price Listings. The policy will be posted on the site in the next week and will be effective immediately upon posting.
10/25/04 06:21 PM(#7 of 80) Does eBay plan on making a sweep of all auctions containing both in title and descriptions and ending them, or are they going to give the listers a warning?
We will move quickly to ensure all live listings adhere to the FTC regulations once the official policy is posted on the site. We are communicating these FTC guidelines widely through various communications channels in advance so sellers have the opportunity to modify their listings practices in advance.
The Jewelry and Watches Team --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/25/04 06:43 PM(#8 of 80) Not sure if I understand the use of the term "Diamond Cut" or "diamond Shape" in FTC regulations. These group of words "Diamond cut" are most often descriptive of a decorative surface effect. Not related to a gem stone. Will this not be permitted? And "diamond shape" might describe a shape of a charm or a baseball field and nothing to do with a stone or jewelry. I think you might be to quick to exclude or include words in ebay spiders to watch out for. Or in this case end an auction because it has those words in it. There must be a human factor that checks the actual use and not left to a search by your spider word search programs. This is equal to having a child proof system that hunts out and deletes email that has the word breast in it. When the email might contain important information about breast cancer detection.
psychocat1959 (50) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 06:48 PM(#9 of 80) Thank you eBay! Also, thank you to all of those on this board who have put so much time, effort and hard work into getting these changes to happen. Especially Elias!
10/25/04 07:04 PM(#10 of 80) Question: You may not describe an item as “9kt gold” (or any other karat fineness of less than 10) on eBay except that you may state the following in an item description:" Does this statement mean that the term 9K can be used in the description if your disclaimer is added in the description? Can the term .375 be used in the title?
Answer from Legal Team:
The term “37.5% gold” may not be used in the item title. You may indicate in the item description the percentage of gold contained in the alloy of your item. If your item is marked “9kt” or “9ct”, you may only indicate those attributes in the item description as long as you only do so within the following required text (and nowhere else in the item listing):
This item is made of an alloy that contains a percentage of gold (and has been stamped with “__kt”) but should not be considered gold because under government guidelines this item does not contain a significant enough percentage to be considered gold.
We hope this is helpful. Thank you for the questions. Please keep them coming. The Jewelry and Watches Team
10/25/04 07:19 PM(#11 of 80) Several sellers have contacted us for more clarification on the guidelines. Some of the information we have shared with them includes:
1) CZ and Cubic Zirconia: Please see Board Side Chat thread (1/29) for this answer. 2) While we have called out examples and specifics surrounding the FTC guidelines for diamonds and the alloy formerly referred to as "9 karat gold", sellers are expected to know and adhere to all of the FTC guidelines.
These guidelines are meant to help buyers find what they are looking for more quickly and know what they are buying. We hope you support us in that effort.
Thanks again for your feedback and questions. We hope these clarifications are helpful.
10/25/04 07:29 PM(#12 of 80) Question from email/phone with a seller: When a seller is listing a gold plated/ filled / electroplated item on eBay, do they need to spell that out in the item title OR is it OK to use gold in the item title and then fully spell out plated/filled/electroplated etc in the body description? Answer from Legal: Anytime a seller uses the term Gold with a qualifier in the title, the qualifier should be completely spelled out. If the item is not solid gold or silver or platinum and the seller would like to use the word gold or silver or platinum in the title, the seller must spell out the qualifier (plated, filled, vermeil etc.) conspicuously in the item title as well as throughout the body of the description.
The reason for the policy is to ensure buyers are aware of what they are purchasing.
elias11 (646) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 08:02 PM(#13 of 80) Thank you, eBay, and Congratulations! You are doing the right thing. The consumer and the entire eBay community - will benefit from your wise decision.
Hopefully, these new rules be will implemented and enforced soon, before the upcoming Holiday shopping season.
To all the members that have participated in this effort to help eBay do the right thing, I thank you and.. It seems that we have finally done it! Best regards,
Elias --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
juliusm789 (0) (view author's auctions)
10/25/04 08:51 PM(#14 of 80) Section 23.11 (a) states the absolute composition, etc. of a natural mined diamond. Section 23.11 (b) does not actually say you cannot use the term diamond at all if it is not a mined diamond, what it says is:
"It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified word 'diamond' to describe or identify..... specified in the definition of diamond provided above."
Does not the term "CZ" or "Cubic Zirconia" placed before the word "diamond" qualify that the item is in fact not a mined diamond?
10/25/04 09:18 PM(#15 of 80) There is no such this as a CZ diamond. That would be like
saying you're selling a diamond tourmaline. Does not exist.
It is correct to say: red CZ, blue CZ, white CZ.
It is NOT correct to say: ruby CZ, sapphire CZ, or diamond CZ.
This is stated in the FTC guidelines.
CZ should not accompany the name of a gemstone, ever.
****** FTC GUIDELINES ******
Effective April 10, 2001
§ 23.0 Scope and application. § 23.1 Deception (general). § 23.2 Misleading illustrations. § 23.3 Misuse of the terms "hand-made," "hand-polished," etc. § 23.4 Misrepresentation as to gold content. § 23.5 Misuse of the word "vermeil." § 23.6 Misrepresentation as to silver content. § 23.7 Misuse of words "platinum," "iridium," "palladium, "ruthenium," "rhodium," and "osmium." § 23.8 Misrepresentation as to content of pewter. § 23.9 Additional guidance for the use of quality marks. § 23.10 Misuse of "corrosion proof," "noncorrosive," "corrosion resistant," "rust proof," "rust resistant," etc. § 23.11 Definition and misuse of the word "diamond." § 23.12 Misuse of the words "flawless," "perfect," etc. § 23.13 Disclosure of treatments to diamonds. § 23.14 Misuse of the term "blue white." § 23.15 Misuse of the term "properly cut," etc. § 23.16 Misuse of the words "brilliant" and "full cut." § 23.17 Misrepresentation of weight and "total weight." § 23.18 Definitions of various pearls. § 23.19 Misuse of the word "pearl." § 23.20 Misuse of terms such as "cultured pearl," "seed pearl," "Oriental pearl," "natura," "kultured," "real,""gem," "synthetic," and regional designations. § 23.21 Misrepresentation as to cultured pearls. § 23.22 Disclosure of treatments to gemstones. § 23.23 Misuse of the words "ruby," "sapphire," "emerald," "topaz," "stone," "birthstone," "gemstone," etc. § 23.24 Misuse of the words "real," "genuine," "natural," "precious," etc. § 23.25 Misuse of the word "gem." § 23.26 Misuse of the words "flawless," "perfect," etc. Appendix Exemptions Recognized in the Assay for Quality of Gold Alloy, Gold Filled, Gold Overlay, Rolled Gold Plate, Silver, and Platinum Industry Products. Authority: Sec. 6, 5, 38 Stat. 721, 719; 15 U.S.C. 46, 45.
Note 2 to § 23.1: To prevent deception, any qualifications or disclosures, such as those described in the guides, should be sufficiently clear and prominent. Clarity of language, relative type size and proximity to the claim being qualified, and an absence of contrary claims that could undercut effectiveness, will maximize the likelihood that the qualifications and disclosures are appropriately clear and prominent.
Note to § 23.2: An illustration or depiction of a diamond or other gemstone that portrays it in greater than its actual size may mislead consumers, unless a disclosure is made about the item's true size.
§ 23.3 Misuse of the terms "hand-made," "hand-polished," etc.
(b) The following are examples of markings or descriptions that may be misleading:2
(1) Use of the word "Gold" or any abbreviation, without qualification, to describe all or part of an industry product, which is not composed throughout of fine (24 karat) gold.
(2) Use of the word "Gold" or any abbreviation to describe all or part of an industry product composed throughout of an alloy of gold, unless a correct designation of the karat fineness of the alloy immediately precedes the word "Gold" or its abbreviation, and such fineness designation is of at least equal conspicuousness.
(4) Use of the term "Gold Plate," "Gold Plated," or any abbreviation to describe all or part of an industry product unless such product or part contains a surface-plating of gold alloy, applied by any process, which is of such thickness and extent of surface coverage that reasonable durability is assured.
Note to paragraph (b) § 23.4: The provisions regarding the use of the word "Gold," or any abbreviation, as described above, are applicable to "Duragold," "Diragold," "Noblegold," "Goldine," "Layered Gold," or any words or terms of similar meaning.
Note to paragraph (c)(1): Use of the term "Gold'' or any abbreviation to describe all or part of a product that is composed throughout of gold alloy, but contains a hollow center or interior, may mislead consumers, unless the fact that the product contains a hollow center is disclosed in immediate proximity to the term "Gold'' or its abbreviation (for example, "14 Karat Gold-Hollow Center," or "14 K. Gold Tubing," when of a gold alloy tubing of such karat fineness). Such products should not be marked or described as "solid" or as being solidly of gold or of a gold alloy. For example, when the composition of such a product is 14 karat gold alloy, it should not be described or marked as either "14 Kt. Solid Gold" or as "Solid 14 Kt. Gold."
(2) An industry product or part thereof, on which there has been affixed on all significant surfaces, by any process, a coating, electroplating, or deposition by any means, of gold or gold alloy of not less than 10 karat fineness that is of substantial thickness,3 and the minimum thickness throughout of which is equivalent to one-half micron (or approximately 20 millionths of an inch) of fine gold,4 may be marked or described as "Gold Plate" or "Gold Plated," or abbreviated, as, for example, G.P. The exact thickness of the plate may be marked on the item, if it is immediately followed by a designation of the karat fineness of the plating which is of equal conspicuousness as the term used (as, for example, "2 microns 12 K. gold plate" or "2µ 12 K. G.P." for an item plated with 2 microns of 12 karat gold.)
Note paragraph (c)(2) to paragraph (b): If an industry product has a thicker coating or electroplating of gold or gold alloy on some areas than others, the minimum thickness of the plate should be marked.
(d) The provisions of this section relating to markings and descriptions of industry products and parts thereof are subject to the applicable tolerances of the National Stamping Act or any amendment thereof.6
Note 4 to paragraph (d): Exemptions recognized in the assay of karat gold industry products and in the assay of gold filled, gold overlay, and rolled gold plate industry products, and not to be considered in any assay for quality, are listed in the appendix.
§ 23.5 Misuse of the word "vermeil."
Note 1 to § 23.5: It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "vermeil" to describe a product in which the sterling silver has been covered with a base metal (such as nickel) plated with gold unless there is a disclosure that the sterling silver is covered with a base metal that is plated with gold.
Note 2 to § 23.5: Exemptions recognized in the assay of gold filled, gold overlay, and rolled gold plate industry products are listed in the appendix.
§ 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.
(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.
(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.
(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 § 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 § 23.7: Exemptions recognized in the assay of platinum industry products are listed in the Appendix.
(b) Deception by reason of difference in the size of letters or words in a marking or markings. It is unfair or deceptive to place a quality mark on a product in which the words or letters appear in greater size than other words or letters of the mark, or when different markings placed on the product have different applications and are in different sizes, when the net impression of any such marking would be misleading as to the metallic composition of all or part of the product. (An example of improper marking would be the marking of a gold electroplated product with the word "electroplate" in small type and the word "gold" in larger type, with the result that purchasers and prospective purchasers of the product might only observe the word "gold.")
Note 1 to § 23.9: Legibility of markings. If a quality mark is engraved or stamped on an industry product, or is printed on a tag or label attached to the product, the quality mark should be of sufficient size type as to be legible to persons of normal vision, should be so placed as likely to be observed by purchasers, and should be so attached as to remain thereon until consumer purchase.
Note 2 to § 23.9: Disclosure of identity of manufacturers, processors, or distributors. The National Stamping Act provides that any person, firm, corporation, or association, being a manufacturer or dealer subject to section 294 of the Act, who applies or causes to be applied a quality mark, or imports any article bearing a quality mark "which indicates or purports to indicate that such article is made in whole or in part of gold or silver or of an alloy of either metal" shall apply to the article the trademark or name of such person. 15 U.S.C. 297.
§ 23.10 Misuse of "corrosion proof," "noncorrosive," "corrosion resistant," "rust proof," "rust resistant," etc.
(2) Use the terms "corrosion resistant," "rust resistant," or any other term of similar meaning to describe an industry product unless all parts of the product are of such composition as to not be subject to material damage by corrosion or rust during the major portion of the life expectancy of the product under normal conditions of use.
§ 23.11 Definition and misuse of the word "diamond."
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified word "diamond" to describe or identify any object or product not meeting the requirements specified in the definition of diamond provided above, or which, though meeting such requirements, has not been symmetrically fashioned with at least seventeen (17) polished facets.
Note 1 to paragraph (b): It is unfair or deceptive to represent, directly or by implication, that industrial grade diamonds or other non-jewelry quality diamonds are of jewelry quality.
(1) The use of the words "rough diamond" to describe or designate uncut or unfaceted objects or products satisfying the definition of diamond provided above; or
(2) The use of the word "diamond" to describe or designate objects or products satisfying the definition of diamond but which have not been symmetrically fashioned with at least seventeen (17) polished facets when in immediate conjunction with the word "diamond" there is either a disclosure of the number of facets and shape of the diamond or the name of a type of diamond that denotes shape and that usually has less than seventeen (17) facets (e.g., "rose diamond").
Note 2 to paragraph (c): Additional guidance about imitation and laboratory-created diamond representations and misuse of words "gem," "real," "genuine," "natural," etc., are set forth in § 23.23, 23.24, and 23.25.
§ 23.12 Misuse of the words "flawless," "perfect," etc.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "flawless" to describe any diamond that discloses flaws, cracks, inclusions, carbon spots, clouds, internal lasering, or other blemishes or imperfections of any sort when examined under a corrected magnifier at 10-power, with adequate illumination, by a person skilled in diamond grading.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "perfect," or any representation of similar meaning, to describe any diamond unless the diamond meets the definition of "flawless" and is not of inferior color or make.
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the words "flawless" or "perfect" to describe a ring or other article of jewelry having a "flawless" or "perfect" principal diamond or diamonds, and supplementary stones that are not of such quality, unless there is a disclosure that the description applies only to the principal diamond or diamonds.
A diamond is a gemstone product. Treatments to diamonds should be disclosed in the manner prescribed in § 23.22 of these guides, Disclosure of treatments to gemstones.
§ 23.14 Misuse of the term "blue white."
§ 23.15 Misuse of the term "properly cut," etc.
Note to § 23.15: Stones that are commonly called "fisheye" or "old mine" should not be described as "properly cut," "modern cut," etc.
§ 23.16 Misuse of the words "brilliant" and "full cut."
Note to § 23.16: Such terms should not be applied to single or rose-cut diamonds. They may be applied to emerald-(rectangular) cut, pear-shaped, heart-shaped, oval-shaped, and marquise-(pointed oval) cut diamonds meeting the above-stated facet requirements when, in immediate conjunction with the term used, the form of the diamond is disclosed.
§ 23.17 Misrepresentation of weight and "total weight."
Note 1 to paragraph (b): A carat is a standard unit of weight for a diamond and is equivalent to 200 milligrams (1/5 gram). A point is one one hundredth (1/100) of a carat.
Note to paragraph (d): When fractional representations of diamond weight are made, as described in paragraph d of this section, in catalogs or other printed materials, the disclosure of the fact that the actual diamond weight is within a specified range should be made conspicuously on every page where a fractional representation is made. Such disclosure may refer to a chart or other detailed explanation of the actual ranges used. For example, "Diamond weights are not exact; see chart on p.X for ranges."
§ 23.19 Misuse of the word "pearl."
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified word "pearl" or any other word or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any object or product that is not in fact a pearl, as defined in § 23.18(a).
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "pearl" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "faux pearl," "fashion pearl," "Mother of Pearl," or any other such term to describe or qualify an imitation pearl product unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl.
§ 23.20 Misuse of terms such as "cultured pearl," "seed pearl," "Oriental pearl," "natura," "kultured," "real," "gem," "synthetic," and regional designations.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "cultured pearl," "cultivated pearl," or any other word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "seed pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or an imitation pearl, without using the appropriate qualifying term "cultured" (e.g., "cultured seed pearl") or "simulated," "artificial," or "imitation" (e.g., "imitation seed pearl").
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Oriental pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any industry product other than a pearl taken from a salt water mollusk and of the distinctive appearance and type of pearls obtained from mollusks inhabiting the Persian Gulf and recognized in the jewelry trade as Oriental pearls.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "Oriental" to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl.
(e) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "natura," "natural," "nature’s," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or imitation pearl. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "organic" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl, unless the term is qualified in such a way as to make clear that the product is not a natural or cultured pearl.
(f) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "kultured," "semi-cultured pearl," "cultured-like," "part-cultured," "pre-mature cultured pearl," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl.
(g) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a pearl that is taken from a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a cultured pearl formed in a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia.
(h) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Biwa cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to cultured pearls grown in fresh water mollusks in the lakes and rivers of Japan.
(i) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "precious," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(j) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe, identify, or refer to a pearl or cultured pearl that does not possess the beauty, symmetry, rarity, and value necessary for qualification as a gem.
Note to paragraph (j): Use of the word "gem" with respect to cultured pearls should be avoided since few cultured pearls possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation pearls should not be described as "gems."
(k) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "synthetic" or similar terms to describe cultured or imitation pearls.
(l) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "Japanese Pearls," "Chinese Pearls," "Mallorca Pearls," or any regional designation to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl, unless the term is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured," "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is a cultured or imitation pearl.
Note to § 23.22: The disclosures outlined in this section are applicable to sellers at every level of trade, as defined in § 23.0(b) of these Guides, and they may be made at the point of sale prior to sale; except that where a jewelry product can be purchased without personally viewing the product, (e.g., direct mail catalogs, online services, televised shopping programs) disclosure should be made in the solicitation for or description of the product.
§ 23.24 Misuse of the words "real," "genuine," "natural," "precious," etc. It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "natural," "precious," "semi-precious," or similar terms to describe any industry product that is manufactured or produced artificially.
§ 23.25 Misuse of the word "gem."
Note to § 23.25: In general, use of the word "gem" with respect to laboratory-created stones should be avoided since few laboratory-created stones possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation diamonds and other imitation stones should not be described as "gems." Not all diamonds or natural stones, including those classified as precious stones, possess the necessary qualifications to be properly termed "gems."
§ 23.26 Misuse of the words "flawless," "perfect," etc.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "perfect" or any representation of similar meaning to describe any gemstone unless the gemstone meets the definition of "flawless" and is not of inferior color or make.
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "flawless," "perfect," or any representation of similar meaning to describe any imitation gemstone.
(a) Exemptions recognized in the industry and not to be considered in any assay for quality of a karat gold industry product include springs, posts, and separable backs of lapel buttons, posts and nuts for attaching interchangeable ornaments, metallic parts completely and permanently encased in a nonmetallic covering, field pieces and bezels for lockets,10 and wire pegs or rivets used for applying mountings and other ornaments, which mountings or ornaments shall be of the quality marked.
Note: Exemptions recognized in the industry and not to be considered in any assay for quality of a karat gold optical product include: the hinge assembly (barrel or other special types such as are customarily used in plastic frames); washers, bushings, and nuts of screw assemblies; dowels; springs for spring shoe straps; metal parts permanently encased in a non-metallic covering; and for oxfords,11 coil and joint springs.
Note: Exemptions recognized in the industry and not to be considered in any assay for quality of a gold filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate optical product include: screws; the hinge assembly (barrel or other special types such as are customarily used in plastic frames); washers, bushings, tubes and nuts of screw assemblies; dowels; pad inserts; springs for spring shoe straps, cores and/or inner windings of comfort cable temples; metal parts permanently encased in a non-metallic covering; and for oxfords, the handle and catch.
1. The Guides for the Watch Industry, 16 CFR part 245, address watchcases and permanently attached watchbands.
2. See § 23.4(c) for examples of acceptable markings and descriptions.
3.The term substantial thickness means that all areas of the plating are of such thickness as to assure a durable coverage of the base metal to which it has been affixed. Since industry products include items having surfaces an
Lulu Community Development eBay Report Inappropriate Content	Message 2 of 7
It seems to me having read the guidelines that they are extremely clear and concise. What is equally clear and concise is that some people are trying to find a way around the guide lines with their questions. Here it is Simply. CZ IS CUBIC ZIRCONIA. NOT A DIAMOND. DONT ADVERTISE IT AS SUCH. 9 KT GOLD IS AN ALLOY WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF GOLD. UNLESS IT'S MARKED 10K DONT USE THE WORD GOLD. LIKEWISE DIAMOND FACETTED. YOU CAN HAVE A FACETTED DIAMOND. YOU CAN HAVE A FACETTED STONE THAT IS BRILLIANT CUT ,EMERALD CUT, ROUND CUT OVAL CUT. BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE WORD DIAMOND CUT. 9PROBABLY COMES FROM THE SAME PLACE AS SEA OPAL AND OTHER SUCH SHONKY DESCRIPTIONS. i THINKI EBAY HAS DONE A SPLENDID JOB OF EXPLAINING WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE SAID. LIVE WITH IT OR GO SELL AT A FLEA MARKET
Oh thanks koonamore, couldn't have said it better myself LOL!
eleganza_jewels_etc
Ebay has technological problems instituting radio buttons. Natural gemstone sellers have fears that buyers might purchase a $30 'cz simulated diamond' (an FTC compliant term, as we all already know) rather than one of their much more expensive 'natural' diamond products. Buyers cannot tell, with the current state of affairs, what is a cz and what is a natural diamond without opening the listings individually. So the answer is that CZ sellers follow 'special rules' and not be allowed to call out in the titles exactly what is in the listing?
BALONEY, I say! I'm only one seller, but there is no way in heck I will ever agree to that. If a buyer cannot tell that a 'cz simulated diamond' is just that - SIMULATED - by reading it in the title, then they really should not be let loose with a MasterCard! There IS no perfect world, and there will NEVER be a perfect search result - one where a cz and a diamond will never appear in said result EVER. As stated earlier, Ebay enforcement issues are getting mixed in with Ebay listing policy issues. They are two totally separate and unique animals, and one should NOT be contingent upon the other! To formulate Ebay policies based on speculation on potential listing policy violations is totally ridiculous. To reiterate once again, Ebay, the search engine ranking results strongly suggest you should not take away permission for CZ sellers to call their items exactly what they are - 'cz simulated diamonds'! I'll say it once again - run the term 'cz simulated diamond ring' through a search engine (MSN, Google, etc.), then run 'cz ring', and you'll see that the Ebay rankings drop like a ROCK using the latter phrase (pardon the pun!) I for one am totally unwilling to give up that traffic! If it's the buyers you are considering, Ebay (as well you should), then DO NOT FORGET the CZ buyers. Store charts for the month of Oct. in my store reflect the Yahoo shoppers dropped to 26% - but that is 26% of 20,000+ hits - a 4,000+ jump in store hits in ONE month! On top of that, my Google hits are climbing steadily every single month, and there's lovely slice of MSN pie now showing up on the graph! And I'm just ONE CZ seller! Are you really willing to lose that traffic to an off-Ebay store, Ebay?
Your proposal as amended fits the bill perfectly for all concerned - on-Ebay buyers because they can see immediately a listing is either for a diamond or a simulated diamond, off-Ebay buyers because they will find us in the rankings rather than going to another internet (off-Ebay) store, CZ sellers because we do not have to forego the off-Ebay traffic as cited, and natural diamond sellers because there should be no confusion as to what is natural and what is simulated. SIMPLE!
It's really not necessary, Ebay, to continue to kowtow to a smattering of natural gemstone sellers who one minute want the FTC guidelines followed minutely, the next minute want the guidelines followed with special exemptions for CZ sellers only. Their hidden agenda is oh-not-so-hidden any longer. If even a small percentage of the 'thousands of cz sellers' depart Ebay for greener pastures...do you realize just how many off-Ebay hits you will be giving up?
PS: Koonamore: Try getting your head out of the, uhhh, mine once in a while to see what's around - diamond cut wedding bands are everywhere.
tazdevil1962
(2293 )
I believe that the phrase "diamond cut" refers to a pattern that is imprinted onto an otherwise plain metal (either gold or sterling) ring. I have seen the word used quite frequently, but if the item is listed in the correct category (i.e. rings, silver, no stone or rings, gold, no stone) I don't see where the phrase would lead a buyer, even a naive one, to think that they were getting a "diamond" ring. JMHO. L.
The proper - and more accurate - way of describing the finish on a metal that is described in post #5 is "bright cut". "Bright cutting" gouges broad, shining cuts, often with slanted surfaces.
"Diamond cut" implies that the metal was somehow worked on with a diamond, which is not the case.
Also, since we are trying to eliminate the terms "cz diamond" and "diamond cz" - which violate the FTC guides - another reason to use "bright cut" instead of "diamond cut", is to avoid the possibility of descriptions like "CZ diamond cut ring". This would defeat our effort to keep the use of the words "CZ" and "diamond" from being used next to each other, in any combination.