Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries

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.1 That FRN did not change the section regarding platinum

products, but instead requested additional comments on possible

revisions to that section.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'').3 The comment period, as extended, ended on September

25, 1992.4 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, 1996.5 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).

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.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.'' 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.''

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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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.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.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.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. 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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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).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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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.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,

PT999.15 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.'' 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.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.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).

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.

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).

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

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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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.'' 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.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.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).

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).

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.23 First, in the revised Guides,

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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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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.24 Three comments addressed this issue and indicated that

the ``Irid.-Plat.'' marking may be confusing to consumers.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.26

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24 61 FR 27225.

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).

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.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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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.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.29

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28 61 FR 27224 notes 5-6 (May 30, 1996).

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.'' 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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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.31 Nineteen comments support 900 parts per thousand pure

platinum as the minimum standard for a platinum marking; 32 one

comment recommends a minimum of 800 parts per thousand pure platinum;

33 eight comments advocate a 585 minimum; 34 and four

comments support a minimum of 500 parts per thousand pure platinum for

a platinum marking.35 One commenter indicated that it is currently

preparing to market jewelry containing 585 parts per thousand pure

platinum.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).

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).

33 Itelman (277) (recommending 800PT as the minimum

standard because 10KT is the minimum for gold).

34 Four-Star (173); Avante (174); Shersher (374); Smith

(762); Rivclan (496); Delmarva (497); Four-Star (656); Cockrell

(606).

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).

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.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.'' 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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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.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.'' 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.41 In fact, many of these commenters submitted the form

letter comment but simply replaced 850 with 900.42 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.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.

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\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.'' 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.'' 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.'' 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.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.''

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.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.' '' 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.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.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.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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.'')

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.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,55 no

comments were received regarding the proposal. The Commission is aware

that there is an ISO standard for palladium products.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.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.''

55 61 FR 27227.

56 The ISO standard for palladium provides for two

markings for palladium, 500 and 950 parts per thousand.

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.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.59 Based

on these comments, the Commission has determined that

[[Page 16675]]

guidance for such products is not needed at this time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

58 61 FR 27227 (question 8).

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.'' 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.61 One comment

responded that all platinum products, including chains, should have a

minimum of 900 parts per thousand pure platinum.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.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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

60 61 FR 27227 (question 9).

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).

62 LaPrad (341).

63 Canada (802), p. 5.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Other

Several comments raised issues regarding other provisions of the

Guides not concerning articles made with platinum.64 One comment

addressed an FTC matter that did not relate to the Guides in any

respect.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: 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