Know The Weight Requirements, Treated And Disclosing Treatments Of Diamonds And Gemstones
Diamond
Are you in the business of selling diamonds and gemstones? Are you aware of the requirements placed on those who advertise or sell diamonds and gemstones? According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you must be sure to accurately describe the item you advertise or sell. For example, a diamond described in decimal points of a carat must be accurate to the last decimal place. A diamond represented as .30 carat should weigh between .295 and .304 carats. If you describe it with only one decimal place, such as .5 carat, it should weigh between .495 and .504 carats. If you describe the diamond weight in fractions, such as ½ carat, then the weight should be between .47 and .54 carats. Further, any advertisement must include the disclaimer that advertised weights are not exact, and disclose the range of weights within that fraction.
Treated Gemstones and Diamonds
Some gemstones and diamonds are treated or enhanced for the purpose of increasing the longevity of the gem or for enhancing the appearance of it. Some are treated with heat applications, usually to lighten, darken, add color or enhance the clarity of the gem. Some gemstones and colored diamonds are treated with irradiation to add more color to them. In order to lessen the visibility of imperfections, or to improve the clarity and appearance, some gems are impregnated with colorless oils, wax, or resins. Fracture filling involves the use of colorless glass or plastic injected into the gem or diamond to improve appearance and durability by hiding cracks or fractures. Diffusion treatment adds color to the surface of colorless gemstones while leaving the core colorless. Some gemstones are dyed to improve color and uniformity. Some gemstones are lightened or brightened by bleaching. Laser drilling is used to remove dark inclusions from diamonds to improve the clarity of the stone.
Disclosing Treatments to Diamonds and Gemstones
In certain instances, your customers should be made aware of treatments made to diamonds and/or gemstones. In cases where the treatment is not permanent, or if the stone requires special care, inform the consumer and supply instructions for proper care. Even when treatments are permanent, you must inform the consumer if such treatment alters the stones value. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines suggest disclosure in the following instances.
1.) If the color of the faded gemstone will fade over time, you should advise the customer that the gemstone has been treated, that the treatment is temporary, and that the stone will fade over time.
2.) If cleaning methods such as ultrasonic or solvent cleaning should be avoided for the treated stone, the customer should be advised that the stone has been treated, and what methods and solvents to avoid.
3.) If a diamond has been laser drilled to improve its clarity, and if the value of the diamond becomes less valuable than a comparable diamond that has not been laser drilled, inform the customer of this fact.
In the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) booklet “In The Loupe - Advertising Diamonds, Gemstones, and Pearls”, dealers of diamonds and gemstones are cautioned to disclose information about treatment at the point of sale and in any print advertisement, mail order catalogue, televised shopping program, and online advertisement where a consumer can purchase the treated gemstone without viewing the actual item in person.
Jim’s articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of diamond and gemstones by visiting:
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Tags: carat, diamonds, gemstones, treated, treatments, weight
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