Recent discussions in our community club have said that the U.S FTC has changed hallmarking requirements stating that all hallmarks, even craft jewelry, MUST have a federally-registered maker’s mark as well as a fineness mark.
Can anyone point to a definitive, authoritative reference that can prove or disprove this hearsay?
I’ve searched Orchid and did not see any recent comments.
…all hallmarks, even craft jewelry, MUST have a federally-registered maker’s mark as well as a fineness mark.
The following appears to say that, though in the past I thought a person could use one’s name in place of a registered hallmark.
“You don’t have to mark the karat fineness on gold objects. But if you want to
call an object “gold,” you must identify its karat quality. Traditionally, that is
done by marking (stamping) the piece. When you mark a piece with its karat
quality, legally you must also affix the registered manufacturer or dealer’s
trademark.”
The above quote is from
Finding the actual rulings on the FTC website has eluded me so far. I’m sure someone will find it and post the address. In any event the JVC book is worth downloading.
Neil A
I found this, note the emphasis I added at the end of the quotation:
“Note 2 to § 23.9: Disclosure of identity of manufacturers, processors, or distributors. The National Stamping Act provides that any person, firm, corporation, or association, being a manufacturer or dealer subject to section 294 of the Act, who applies or causes to be applied a quality mark, or imports any article bearing a quality mark “which indicates or purports to indicate that such article is made in whole or in part of gold or silver or of an alloy of either metal” shall apply to the article the trademark or name of such person.15 U.S.C. 297.”
here
Neil A