# 16 CFR § 23.1: Deception (general)

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.1

## Section

- **Citation:** 16 CFR § 23.1
- **Heading:** Deception (general)
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 16—Commercial Practices > CHAPTER I—FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION > SUBCHAPTER B—GUIDES AND TRADE PRACTICE RULES > PART 23—GUIDES FOR THE JEWELRY, PRECIOUS METALS, AND PEWTER INDUSTRIES

## Text

It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the type, kind, grade, quality, quantity, metallic content, size, weight, cut, color, character, treatment, substance, durability, serviceability, origin, price, value, preparation, production, manufacture, distribution, or any other material aspect of an industry product.
Note 1 to § 23.1:
If, in the sale or offering for sale of an industry product, any representation is made as to the grade assigned the product, the identity of the grading system used should be disclosed.
Note 2 to § 23.1:
To prevent deception, any qualifications or disclosures, such as those described in the guides, should be sufficiently clear and prominent. Clarity of language, relative type size and proximity to the claim being qualified, and an absence of contrary claims that could undercut effectiveness, will maximize the likelihood that the qualifications and disclosures are appropriately clear and prominent.
Note 3 to § 23.1:
An illustration or depiction of a diamond or other gemstone that portrays it in greater than its actual size may mislead consumers, unless a disclosure is made about the item's true size.

## Nearby sections

- [16 CFR § 20.0 § 20.0 Scope and purpose of the guides.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-20.0.md)
- [16 CFR § 20.1 § 20.1 Deception generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-20.1.md)
- [16 CFR § 20.2 § 20.2 Deception as to the identity of a rebuilder, remanufacturer, reconditioner, reliner, or other reworker.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-20.2.md)
- [16 CFR § 20.3 § 20.3 Misrepresentation of the terms “rebuilt,” “factory rebuilt,” “remanufactured,” etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-20.3.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.0 § 23.0 Scope and application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.0.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.1 § 23.1 Deception (general).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.1.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.2 § 23.2 Misuse of the terms “handmade,” “hand-polished,” etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.2.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.3 § 23.3 Misrepresentation as to gold content.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.3.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.4 § 23.4 Misuse of the word “vermeil.”](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.4.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.5 § 23.5 Misrepresentation as to silver content.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.5.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.6 § 23.6 Misuse of the words “platinum,” “iridium,” “palladium,” “ruthenium,” “rhodium,” and “osmium.”](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.6.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.7 § 23.7 Disclosure of surface-layer application of rhodium.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.7.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.8 § 23.8 Misrepresentation as to products containing more than one precious metal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.8.md)
- [16 CFR § 23.9 § 23.9 Misrepresentation as to content of pewter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.9.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-16-23.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
