By Barbara Wheat

In today’s market, jewellers, like many other business owners, are looking to find a competitive advantage that speaks to their clients above and beyond great designs, creative marketing, and the top-notch customer service they are already providing. Knowing that consumers want to feel good about their purchases, many industry professionals are finding ways to build confidence through increased focus on ethical business practices, including emphasis on transparency and full disclosure of products, sourcing, and manufacturing processes.

Among the organizations dedicated to promoting and supporting ethical business practices within the jewellery and gemstone industry is the Jewelers Ethics Association (JEA), founded in 2009 by Lisa Brooks-Pike. A non-profit trade organization, with members from around the world (manufacturers, dealers, retailers, industry media, laboratories, and other interested parties, including consumers), the JEA encourages its membership to build confidence with clients all along the supply chain. This includes access to information on gemstones, precious metals, and jewellery care.

Upholding ethical standards within the trade includes the full disclosure of the myriad treatments and enhancements present in today’s marketplace. Industry professionals who offer this information are providing their clients with more than just a stunning jewel; they are building confidence and developing long-term trust.

Current JEA membership is mainly comprised of industry members who meet regularly to discuss gemstone treatments and disclosure issues, in light of the everchanging nature of treatments. In order to keep pace with industry demand, JEA conducts seminars featuring experts addressing pressing topics at trade shows, and it also participates with organizations such as the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) at its annual ACE©IT Conference.

In 2012, JEA responded to a request from the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which opened a public comment period to get feedback from industry organizations in revising the FTC Jewelry Guides. JEA submitted a report of recommendations addressing gemstone treatments and disclosure as well as comments regarding disclosure of metal content in jewellery.

In June, JEA will send four board members to meetings with the FTC in Washington D.C. to to further address these issues ahead of the publication of the revised FTC Jewelry Guides. Once finalized, these guidelines will be available on the JEA website, along with other information that is available to members and non-members alike.

The JEA Board of Directors is composed of industry leaders from all aspects of the gem and jewellery trade, including related professional media.

To learn more about the advantages of becoming a JEA member, please visit www.jewelersethicsassociation.com.