RT>Does anyone here know what laws are enacted making it illegal to
RT>misrepresent the gold content in jewelry?
Truth in advertising would be my first guess
RT>The question arises from a merchant that is selling "14 karat gold
RT>filled" as "14 karat gold".  While the product _contains_ 14k gold,
RT>it is not _entirely_ 14k gold... just the outer shell.  By definition
RT>they are two very different things!  An unwary customer would never know
RT>the difference because 14kgf looks and wears just like 14k.... its just
RT>20 times cheaper!
I've met a few unwary customers who don't understand that gold filled
is not the same as gold  (Oh yes, Thanks. I wondered what "Gold Filled"
ment, Now I know, It means more or less the same as "Gold Plated" but
sounds more expensive)
I've met some people who had gold chains (or so they said, SOLID) which
by estimate should have weighed a pound or so, And in reality checked in
at just a few ounces
However it is the duty of the customer to know the meaning of FILLED
RT>He knows that I know he is doing this and maintains that he is doing
RT>nothing illegal and that his ethics are between him and his
RT>customers...none of my business.  He says that the law says, "Let the
RT>buyer beware".
In this case.... He's nearly right... He's properly advertised his
product as GOLD FILLED and not as solid gold
RT>I know he is dealing unethically, and would be liable for civil
RT>action.... what I want to know is if he is violating criminal statutes.
Personal opinion (Which is worthless by the way) He's legal and not
liable for either civil or criminal action.  He is properly identifying
his product and if the buyer is not smart enough to understand the
difference between solid and filled,  Well..... That is the buyer's
problem.
Course I know the difference (Though to me "gold filled" means you fill
somehting with gold, not fill a gold plate with something, still I knew
it did not mean the same thing as GOLD just like I know the silver
plated base metal bracelet I'm wearing is not solid silver (Silver over
white metal near as I can tell, Or steel, Very strong (silver and gold
are not nearly as strong)
 * SLMR 2.1a * If you cannot convince them, confuse them.
--- Silver Xpress Mail System 5.03H1
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