2018 Update to the FTC Diamond Jewelry Guides

2018 Jewelry Topics Addressed by the FTC

In 2012, 2013, and 2016 the FTC sought public input about the veracity and usefulness of the Guides. (You can read a summary of FTC diamond grading guidelines here).

Some of the topics addressed by the July 2018 revisions include the following: 

• Surface applications of precious metals
• Alloys with precious metals in amounts below minimum thresholds
• Products containing more than one precious metal
• “Cultured” diamonds
• The definition of “diamond”

FTC Diamond Jewelry Revisions

These 2018 FTC revisions relate specifically to diamonds.

Cultured Diamonds

When referring to diamonds, “cultured” should refer to laboratory-created diamonds. The revised Guides advise against using the term “cultured” without qualification so that consumers avoid confusing “cultured” with “natural.” (Research suggests consumers think a “cultured diamond” is a natural product). The Guides make some suggestions for how to qualify “cultured,” for example, as “laboratory-created cultured diamonds.” However, the Guides don’t include the word “synthetic” among the examples that marketers can use as a qualifier.

What is a Diamond?

Previously, the Guides have defined a diamond as

a natural mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system. It is found in many colors. Its hardness is 10;

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