Some Macy’s jewelry stamped “fine gold” actually contains gold-plated silver, according to a new lawsuit filed Oct. 10 in Massachusetts federal court.

Legal papers say that in 2010, plaintiff Natalya Barsukova bought a set of earrings from a Burlington, Mass., Macy’s labeled “fine gold” with a 14k quality mark. However, the suit charges, two years after the purchase, the earrings showed signs of tarnish and discoloration, with the middle loop on the earrings turning gray.

After Barsukova took the earrings to a jeweler, she allegedly discovered they were sterling silver with a thin layer of gold. This would run contrary to the FTC Guides, which prohibit use of the word gold for a product not composed entirely of 24k gold, the papers say.

The suit seeks class action status, adding it’s possible “thousands” of consumers may be impacted.

A Macy’s spokesman told JCK: “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on litigation.”

JCK