AGA Fights Jewelry Consumer Fraud!

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is dedicated to establishing the highest ethical and professional standards of practice for jewelers and gemologists. To this end, the Association actively combats consumer fraud in the jewelry industry. AGA has established a committee on Consumer Issues to help consumers and to address fraud and deception within the industry. This committee has created a Consumer Complaint Form, which can be downloaded on the right.

The form is designed as a tool that jewelers, appraisers and gemologists can give to customers or clients who may have been victims of fraudulent or deceptive practices and want to pursue legal recourse. Once completed, consumers will have a document that will provide the essential facts of the case.

You may download and print out the questionnaire and make copies for your own use with customers or clients. Feel free to post a link to the complaint form from your own website. Consumers can use the form in pursing a refund from the seller, and to lodge a complaint with their credit card if necessary. Copies can be sent to the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau, the State Attorney General's office, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and the AGA if a satisfactory resolution has not been reached.

If you wish to share the questionnaire and other information provided here with other organizations to which you belong — such as Jewelers of America, ASA or NAJA, we would be happy to work together with other groups to unite and coordinate efforts.

Below are the immediate steps for the consumer to take if he or she believes they may have been the victim of jewelry misrepresentation or fraud:

1. Download the Consumer Complaint Form (above right). Fill in purchase information.
2. Contact the credit card company (if one was used) and start a complaint file (this stops the clock on the 30-day period usually allowed for consumer complaints). Send them a copy of the complaint.
3. Contact the seller immediately and explain the dissatisfaction. Try to work out a solution. It may help to send them a copy of the complaint.
4. Contact a qualified gemologist appraiser who is not the owner or employee of a jewelry store to obtain an unbiased assessment of the jewelry. Give the appraiser a copy of the complaint
5. Try again to resolve the problem with the seller
6. If not resolved to your satisfaction, work with the appropriate parties to force a resolution
7. Finish filling in the Consumer Complaint form and send a copy of the questionnaire, along with copies of documentation, to:

Please make sure consumers understand they should keep the original complaint and all original documentation, and send only copies.
 Have them follow these simple steps:

• Complete the questionnaire
• Send a copy of the questionnaire, along with copies of documentation, to:

• The Accredited Gemologists Association
  % G-Force Services
  3315 Juanita Street
  San Diego, CA 92105
  Tel: 619-501-5444 (G-Force Services)
  
  FAX: 480-247-5958