Kathrine Baumann recently issued “a call-to-arms” to the U.S. jewelry industry to join together to fight knockoffs.

The Beverly Hills, Calif.–based designer wants a new coalition to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. jewelry designers and manufacturers. The proposed coalition will inform consumers about the ramifications of purchasing knockoffs.

“We want to work from a different vantage point than the traditional technique of going after the manufacturers,” Baumann says. “We want to educate the public and give people a conscience. I think a lot of people would choose not to buy knockoffs if they knew the damage they cause. We have found that counterfeiting supports terrorism. If you approach mothers and say this is an issue about the security of their children, it will become their fight.”

The coalition could also lobby Washington for stricter regulations and enforcement of copyright laws, Baumann says.