Get the facts on synthetic diamonds.
Now, more than ever, it is important to protect the consumer through proper disclosures of synthetics and treated stones. The American Gem Society is constantly seeking to provide tools and best practices for your business, and we know how imperative it is that you are in compliance with FTC Guidelines.
We’ve created an updated version of the template letter we sent out last year. You can customize and send it to your suppliers, inquiring into their selling practices of synthetics and treated stones.
To access the template, please follow these instructions:
- Download the template here.
- For future reference, go to americangemsociety.org and log into your account.
- On the top navigation of the AGS home page, go to “Jewelry Industry,” move your mouse down to “Marketing,” and choose “Member Templates.”
- Choose the template marked “Retailer Letter to Supplier.” Click the link to download.
- You can retype the letter on your letterhead, or if you have PDF editing software, you can insert your logo.
Natural or not?
The letter from your supplier alone will not protect you as you must also have a quality assurance program in place. As part of your QA program, AGS Laboratories offers a reasonably priced Natural Diamond Verification Service. Through this service, the team can test diamonds to see if they are natural or synthetic and also perform HPHT testing. They produce a card-sized document verifying the results, which is helpful when you sell, or resell, diamonds.
Click here to learn more about AGS Laboratories’ Natural Diamond Verification Service. This important tool is one way that, as a member of the American Gem Society, you can ensure our mission of consumer protection and the highest standards of business ethics.
Additionally, we have created this Synthetics Fact Sheet FAQ for your quick reference
Other tools.
Our friends at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) also have tools available to assist AGS members. To order a copy of the Essential Guide to Quality Assurance and Control, which is available to AGS members at the JVC member price of $20 ($5 savings), click here, or visit jvclegal.org.
There are many reasons to make quality assurance a signature component of your business identity: promoting consumer confidence; strengthening relationships with suppliers and customers; and, avoiding legal risk are among the most important. Significant, effective quality assurance will limit disputes within the industry and between retailers and consumers. When you combine this with AGS Laboratories Natural Diamond Verification Service, you will have one less thing to worry about as a business owner.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call a membership representative at 866.805.6500 or send them an email at [email protected].
