Regulatory Standards & Compliance Flashcards

Under the AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, the code "H" indicates which enhancement?

Answer: Heating

AGTA uses "H" to denote heating, such as heat treatment of corundum.

A ruby has glass-filled fractures. What disclosure obligation applies?

Answer: Disclosure is required because the treatment affects value and requires special care

Lead-glass filling significantly affects value and durability, so it must be disclosed.

A sapphire whose color was produced by beryllium diffusion must be disclosed because:

Answer: It significantly affects the stone's value compared with traditionally heated stones

Beryllium-diffused sapphires sell for far less than unenhanced or heated stones, making disclosure material.

Which description complies with FTC guidance for a cultured pearl?

Answer: "Cultured pearl"

Unqualified "pearl" means a natural pearl, so cultured pearls must carry the word "cultured" or "cultivated."

A diamond's clarity-enhancing fracture filling requires disclosure mainly because:

Answer: The filling may be damaged by heat or cleaning methods, creating special care needs

Fracture fillings are not permanent and can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaning or torch heat.

Which term may a seller use for a lab-grown emerald under FTC guidance?

Answer: "Laboratory-created emerald"

Lab-grown colored stones must be clearly qualified with terms like laboratory-created or synthetic.

According to the 2018 FTC Guides revision, the term "cultured" for a lab-grown diamond is:

Answer: Allowed only if immediately accompanied by a qualifier like "laboratory-grown"

The FTC warned "cultured" alone could mislead and must be paired with a clear lab-grown qualifier.