Gemstones
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission notified Jewelers Vigilance Committee and American Gem Trade Association that they will take no action against anyone who imported or sold irradiated gemstones in the United States from 2001 to 2007. There were no licensed entities operating in the United States during this period. Since November 2007, three American entities have been granted appropriate licenses.
Anufacturers
Refiner and manufacturer Hoover & Strong, Richmond, Va., recently merged with Keystone Findings, a manufacturer of die-struck and cast settings, wedding bands, and earrings. Keystone Findings’ plant will be transported to the Hoover & Strong facility.
Crown Ring Inc. announced it will be the exclusive sales representative of Trent West‘s collection of TrewTungsten carbide rings for the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Crown Ring Inc. is the largest manufacturer of fine wedding rings in Canada.
Labs
The Gemological Institute of America will include a description of a diamond’s ultraviolet fluorescence in its GIA Diamond Grading Reports and Diamond Dossiers. Its descriptors are: None, Faint, Medium, Strong, and Very Strong. A separate, four-color insert chart will explain the properties of a diamond’s fluorescence in consumer-friendly terms. The Gemological Institute of America was recently notified of three counterfeit grading reports sold to a client in Johannesburg, South Africa. After further investigation, it was found that at least one of the accompanying diamonds was also high pressure/high temperature treated. GIA hired a private investigator, leading to one arrest. The problem is not believed to be widespread and is limited to a small number of stones.
American Gem Trade Association closed its AGTA Gemological Testing Center in New York, because of the economic downturn.
Shows
MJSA Expo New York will move to the Hilton New York hotel in midtown Manhattan for its 2010 show, scheduled for March 14–16.
Associations
Jewelers Vigilance Committee has launched a forms bank on its Web site, www.jvclegal.org. The bank, available on the site’s members-only section, is a library of specific government forms or language to use on a receipt, warranty, or certification.