[Jewelry making - Article 00263] - Re: [Orchid] Hallmarking Two-tone metal

[James Binnion]

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>     I'm not good at reading legal slang, but according to the guidelines
>     you should stamp with both (atleast as how I read it). This is in
>     full compliance with countries who have a mandantory hallmarking
>     system.
>     Phrases like Plat. Sterling 14K etc are fully recognized by the FTC.

Alain,

    The basis for all quality marking systems is that in theory you
    should be able to melt the piece down and it will assay out to the
    marked quality or better. 

    So for example if you make a ring that is half platinum and half 18k
    yellow gold and were to melt it down and assay it it would comply
    with neither the requirements for 18k gold or platinum. Therefore it
    is an improper application of a quality mark. Even if you were only
    to mark it with the "lesser" mark say in the previous case only the
    18k mark you are still asserting by putting that stamp on it that
    the item complies with the standards for 18k gold which require the
    item to be 75% gold and it is not so it is still an improper
    application of the mark because you know it is not in compliance
    with the 18k standard. 

    The way I read the FTC guide is that if you place a quality mark
    stamp on the section of the item that it pertains to you are ok as
    long as the other sections(s) are stamped as with their appropriate
    quality marks. 

    From - 23.9 Additional guidance for the use of quality marks. 

          (1) If a quality mark on an industry product is applicable to
          only 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. 

    Otherwise the guide states: 

          (2) If a quality mark is applicable to only part of an
          industry product, but not another part which is of similar
          surface appearance, each quality mark should be closely
          accompanied by an identification of the part or parts to which
          the mark is applicable

    So if it is a platinum head on a 18k yellow ring it is probably ok
    just to stamp as 18k and platinum on the inside of the shank but it
    would be more correct to indicate which parts are what metal however
    if it is 18k white and platinum you need to stamp on the piece that
    only the head is platinum and that the shank is 18k gold. 

    I have spoken with Dr Christopher Corti of the World Gold Council
    and Cecilia Gardener of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee on this
    subject and both of them have confirmed my interpretation of the
    quality marking dilemma.  I would love to be able to stamp my mokume
    rings but have been advised that I cannot legally do it.  These are
    legal technicalities and often ignored here in the US by both the
    FTC and jewelry manufacturers but that does not change the fact that
    that is how the law is written. In other countries this can be a
    much more serious matter many have much more strict laws about
    quality marks. 

Regards,

Jim Binnion

James Binnion Metal Arts
Phone (360) 756-6550
Toll Free (877) 408 7287
Fax (360) 756-2160
http://www.mokume-gane.com
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
Member of the Better Business Bureau

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