Introduction.

The Jewelers Advisory Group is a national association of concerned members of the jewelry industry with international affiliates. The mission of JAG is to uplift, maintain and protect the ethical integrity, professional standards and public image of the jewelry industry; and the public confidence placed therein.

To promote its mission, JAG:

1. Shall encourage and support both its members, and the trade as a whole, by requiring of them the truthful representation of any item of jewelry, or related product and service. Implicit in this statement is that these representations include, but are not limited to, the honest and fair representation of oneself, one's business, and one's merchandise or services.

2. Shall assist and encourage all members of the jewelry industry to improve their professional expertise and competence through continuing education. To aid in this endeavor, JAG shall offer free educational information to members of the jewelry industry listing qualified schools and professional associations. Because it recognizes the importance of education, JAG shall encourage, promote, and support individual and academic scholarship in the jewelry field. It shall also encourage, promote and support the development and compilation of a copyright free body of knowledge to which all individuals within the trade possess a fair access to.

3. Shall assist, support and encourage all members of the jewelry industry to become aware of, and adapt to, the changing technologies; management processes; and marketplaces taking shape now and in the future. JAG recognizes that the jewelry industry is within a time of transition. It recognizes that jewelers need the awareness and tools that come through education. In this manner, they may adapt to and survive changes as they occur. JAG is committed and dedicated to the welfare of the entire jewelry community. To this end, JAG shall actively assist all educational trade organizations in reaching our fellow jewelers. It shall encourage the adaptation, study, and application of the latest successful quality management styles; technological advancements; marketing information; and techniques.

4. Shall encourage, set and promote a high level of professional standards for members of the trade whether they be appraisers, gemologists, jewelers, goldsmiths, manufacturers or suppliers.

5. Shall support and seek to maintain existing industry standards. JAG shall also encourage the formation and adaptation of new or improved standards and/or requirements at all levels of the trade when and where necessary. In other words, JAG shall support any effort by any industry group or association which endeavors to raise the level of its professional, educational, ethical, and qualitative standards; as well as its overall standards of competence, conduct, and performance. As a corollary of this, JAG will oppose the degradation of any industry standard due to willful or benign negligence, deceit or ignorance. The overall touchstone governing JAG's actions shall be whether or not truth, fairness and the higher purposes and/or interests of the trade and public are being served.

6. Shall seek to promote a positive image for the jewelry industry, and maintain the public confidence in the integrity of the trade and its product. Towards this end, JAG shall do three things. a. The first is to assist all members of the jewelry industry to recognize the importance of jewelry in the lives of our fellow human beings; it's symbolic, emotional and social image value; and to work with a greater awareness, sensitivity, and sense of service in fulfilling our responsibilities to both the public's and the trade's interest and good. b. Secondly, JAG shall monitor its own membership and members of the trade as to their professional performance. Where this performance is lacking, JAG will encourage and assist any member of the jewelry industry by making available in a friendly and supportive manner information that will help improve their performance in advertising, appraising, or any form of representation of self, business, and merchandise. c. Thirdly, JAG shall seek to inform, caution, and warn, any individual or firm whose actions jeopardize the positive public image of the trade, or the economic well being of the trade as a whole.

7. Shall seek to promote public confidence in the integrity, objectivity, competence, and professionalism of JAG members. JAG encourages highly qualified individuals, without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, or marital status to become members of JAG. Membership is open only to bona fide members of the jewelry industry. Membership way be withdrawn from any individual or firm engaging in either deceptive trade practices or other actions that violate JAG's stated mission or its spirit.

8. JAG is steadfastly opposed to deception in any form, especially when it is employed for unfair advantage or gain. JAG shall, at its option, assist and support all government initiated actions against those individuals or companies who, with tenacious consistency, unfairly compete in a deceptive or fraudulent manner. Such assistance shall require informing the judicial branch of the proper local, state, or federal government of any grievous wrong doing; and/or providing the same judicial branch with collected and documented factual evidence, research and expertise to assist them in their corrective legal action.

9. JAG shall undertake to work in cooperation with any industry trade group willing to cooperate with JAG in halting deceptive sales practices, deceptive advertising practices, and deceptive or incompetent appraisal practices. Furthermore, JAG shall seek to find common ground with any industry trade group in order to build cooperation, consensus, and goodwill in order to do away with the fear that has generated these negative practices. For those it finds guilty of such practices, JAG shall encourage an open, honest, and non judgmental dialogue, whether among individual jewelers or industry groups, for the resolution of these differences within the framework of the ethical standards being promulgated by JAG.

10. JAG shall encourage open, positive association, and dialogue, among jewelers in any given trade area in order to promote education and the positive dissemination of its industry goals. Among these are communication, cooperation, consensus, community, as well as honesty and fairness.

11. JAG shall strive to protect the fair and legitimate interests of its members; members of the trade in general; and the public consumer. JAG shall promote the purchase of jewelry from legitimate members of the traditional jewelry industry; and especially from those members of the trade in general who conduct their business in a fair and ethical manner. JAG will encourage, and assist to educate and inform, the public consumer to recognize proper and improper jewelry sales practices. Moreover, JAG will inform all cooperating public consumer protection agencies of violators who engage in unethical, misleading, confusing, or dishonest sales practices.

12. JAG, as a trade group, shall address when necessary Unfair Trade Competition issues on behalf of its members. JAG shall actively seek to protect its members and members of the trade from those who unfairly compete, damage or disparage the integrity or reputation of the diamond, gemstone, jewelry industry; and the jewelry appraisal profession. JAG shall, at the same time, seek to inform, correct and educate these individuals and/or companies whose actions are perceived as damaging to the trade.

13. As a service both to the public and the industry, JAG shall set up and encourage direct communication with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the intent of advising this agency or any other government agency whose action may impact the jewelry industry. JAG sees a three fold role for itself in this capacity. a. The first is to advise these agencies of any known entities that are in violation of the Jewelry Guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission; or that are in violation of either mandated or accepted Industry Trade Regulations. b. Secondly, JAG shall seek to advise, assist and monitor any and all federal or state bodies that may either directly or indirectly implement laws or regulations that may impact the well being of the jewelry industry. c. Thirdly, JAG shall endeavor to serve as a catalyst to draw industry organizations together for the purpose of determining universal standards for the trade in areas of professional conduct or ethics; education; advertising; sales; appraising; laboratory grading standards; manufacturing and gemstone quality standards; etc. JAG shall advocate the acceptance of these agreed upon standards by the Federal Trade Commission, or any other government body that may affect the jewelry industry either by law or regulation.

14. Shall encourage the recognition and acceptance of our individual and collective responsibility for the welfare of our trade and industry. JAG recognizes that each member of the trade has a responsibility to oneself, our customers, the community in which we live, and our nation. Likewise we recognize we have a responsibility to the local, national, and international members of the jewelry community. JAG recognizes that problems arise when we ignore our responsibility either to ourselves or to one another. Therefore, JAG believes in individual responsibility; in taking responsibility for ourselves, and the effects our actions have upon our community. While JAG recognizes the existence of such evils as ignorance, greed, deception and exploitation. JAG chooses not to demonize and dehumanize those individuals participating in such negative acts. Rather, JAG will seek to raise their awareness of their actions; of their responsibility and accountability for what they do; whom and what they affect. JAG will support them both morally and practically in showing and teaching them worthwhile alternatives to those negative practices in which they engage. In the event that the intervention of our good offices is to no avail, then we regrettably acknowledge the necessity of informing the judicial branch of our government of their offenses. Indeed, we painfully recognize, as members of the trade, that we can no longer tolerate our past disregard (and therefore our complicity) in allowing deceptive and exploitive abuses in the trade to occur unchallenged. JAG was born in large measure out of the recognition that we have a responsibility not only to ourselves, but also to one another. That we do not exist in the world alone, nor do our actions affect ourselves alone. That problems arise and grow worse when we, as individuals, ignore and seek to avoid our responsibilities either to ourselves and/or our community.

15. Whenever and wherever it can, JAG shall seek to heal the divisions and misunderstandings that exist either between members of the trade, or between members of the trade and the public. It shall strive at all times to bring the light of clarity, reason, and reconciliation in place of the darkness of confusion, fear, and resentment.

JAG IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE MAIN COMMITTEES.

They are headed by an Executive Board which directs and monitors their activities. These committees are:

1. The Media Review Division (MRD)
2. The Mediation Division (MD)
3. The Appraisal Review Division (ARD)
4. The Industry Standards Division (ISD)
5. The Industry Action Division (IAD)

The following is a brief description and overview of the responsibilities, rationale, and mission of these committees.

1. THE MEDIA REVIEW DIVISION (MRD).

The purpose of the Media Review Division is to advance and promote truth in advertising. It shall also review, at its discretion, any advertisement appearing in any form of media that pertains to the promotion of any item of jewelry, service, business or jewelry professional; and to monitor such advertisements for their fairness and honesty.

RESPONSIBILITIES.

The responsibilities of the Media Review Division are two fold:

First of all, the Media Review Division shall have jurisdiction over the collection, archiving, and analysis of advertising submitted from the JAG membership; which in their opinion, may constitute an unfair representation of any material fact; and which may result in the possibility of confusing or misleading consumers within or without the trade.

Secondly, the Media Review Division shall be in charge of investigating and correcting any misrepresentation or false advertising of oneself, one's business, or one's merchandise and services.

ADVERTISING REVIEW PROCEDURE.

Upon review, those advertisements which the MRD feels are dishonest, unfair, misleading, or confusing to the public or the trade; the MRD shall contact the advertiser. The MRD will inform the advertiser of it's findings and concerns. If the advertiser is in disagreement with their assessment, the MRD shall request a written explanation from the advertiser as to why their advertisement is not dishonest, unfair, misleading or confusing. MRD shall give a thorough and balanced review to any response.

Discussion and dialogue between the MRD and the offending party are encouraged. The goal is to negotiate with and assist the advertiser in developing a less destructive and more positive manner of advertising. To that end, the MRD must be prepared to educate, and assist by offering positive alternatives, and helpful guidelines, when demanding that an advertiser cease and desist from dishonest, unfair, misleading, or confusing forms of advertising.

MRD RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BOARD.

The MRD shall actively consult and apprise the Board of Directors in all of its activities, and defer to their decisions. However, under no circumstances shall the Board interfere in the findings of the Committee, nor seek to sway an outcome. The MRD shall also rely upon the other four committees for suggestions, referrals, advice, guidance and expertise.

In the event that the MRD encounters a defiant individual, or firm, intent upon deception despite the intervention of its good offices. The MRD shall present the facts and its recommendations to the Executive Board; who in turn, may decide to inform and present such evidence and documentation to the proper local consumer protection agency; and/or government judicial branch for possible corrective punitive actions against the offenders.

2. THE MEDIATION DIVISION (MD).

The purpose of the Mediation Division is to assist in healing the divisions or misunderstandings that exist either between members of the trade, or between members of the trade and the public. It shall encourage and seek to resolve these conflicts by providing participants access to the nonlitigating alternative processes of mediation and/or arbitration. The goal is one of seeking a just resolution based upon fairness with the possible hope of eventually engendering the greatest amount of goodwill amongst the disputants. JAG is of the opinion that whenever a positive resolution to any conflict or dispute can be effected without involving the legal profession or the press, that such a settlement is to the benefit of the trade and its public image as a whole.

RESPONSIBILITIES.

The responsibilities of the MD are threefold.

To encourage the settlement of disputes through mediation and/or arbitration; to exhibit and convey fairness, objectivity, and detachment to all sides in a dispute.

In Mediation, it is the responsibility of MD to assist parties in affecting their own commonly crafted and agreed upon solution. In Arbitration, it the responsibility of the committee appointed Arbiters to judge solely on the facts; and to offer a judgement based upon fairness and objectivity combined with a corrective compassion rather than condemnation. This implies an underlying recognition that no matter what the action, the action was committed by a fallible human being.

It is the responsibility of the MD to create and maintain a nationwide body of trained volunteer mediators and arbitrators for conflict resolutions involving the trade. This entails providing the opportunity for beginning and continuing education in mediation and arbitration. It also entails providing an organizational structure for clerical assistance, logistical and financial support for such individuals when the fulfillment of their duties for JAG so require it.

REVIEW PROCEDURE.

All consumer and trade requests for assistance from the MD must be made through JAG headquarters. JAG members must not involve themselves directly or indirectly in any dispute. The responsibility of any JAG member, when confronted with a request for assistance by any party, is to provide them with an assistance request form; along with information as to how to get in touch with JAG Headquarters. When requested, the MD will seek to positively resolve differences between jewelers, and between the consumer and their adversary in the jewelry trade.

MD IS JAG'S ONLY LINK WITH THE PUBLIC.

JAG recognizes, that while this area of its concern may be the most troublesome; possibly demanding the greatest proportion of its time and efforts; it is the most imperative. The MD is charged with the crucial responsibility of rebuilding and maintaining the public confidence in the integrity of the Jewelry Industry as a whole. JAG recognizes that any issue between the public and the trade resolved within the courts, or negatively portrayed in the media, is damaging both to the public trust in, and to, the public image of the trade. JAG realizes that it is in the best interests of the entire trade to reassure the consumer that fair treatment and fair value are hallmarks of the jewelry industry. Therefore, it is the intent of JAG to provide an easily accessible vehicle for the airing and resolution of any public grievance against the trade as an effective alternative to the courts and/or media. The MD is the frontline in fighting the war against deception in order to build and win back the public trust. It is the only committee designed to have direct contact with, and impact on, the public.

MD RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BOARD.

The MD shall actively consult and apprise the Board of Directors in all of its activities, and defer to their decisions. However, under no circumstances shall the Board interfere in the findings, or activities of the Committee; nor seek to sway an outcome. The MD shall also rely upon the other four committees for suggestions, referrals, advice, guidance and expertise when necessary.

3. THE APPRAISAL REVIEW DIVISION (ARD).

The purpose of the Appraisal Review Division is to seek to put an end to deceptive, unethical, and/or incompetent appraising. It's mission is to restore integrity to, and public confidence in, the jewelry appraising profession.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of the Appraisal Review Division are twofold.

First of all, the ARD is responsible for reviewing any problematic jewelry or jewelry related appraisal brought to its attention.

Secondly, on appraisals it finds problematic, it is the responsibility of the Division to inform the offending appraiser of the problems; and to assist and support him in correcting these abuses so they do not occur in the future. The ARD shall do this by providing a critical review of the appraisal with suggestions for improvement; provide information regarding programs for further education; and offer to assist and answer questions the appraiser may have currently or in the future. The attitude taken by members of the ARD should be one of a concerned and helpful mentor.

QUALIFICATIONS OF DIVISION MEMBERS.

Unlike the other Divisions, membership in the Appraisal Review Division is restricted to qualified appraisers who meet the following standards.

1. Have earned a diploma in gemology from one of the following educational bodies:
a. Gemological Institute of America: Graduate Gemologist (GG)
b. Gemmological Association of Great Britain: Fellowship (FGA)
c. Canadian Gemological Association.
d. German Gemological Association.

2. Have completed all basic required education courses in valuation from a JAG recognized appraisal society or school. JAG currently recognizes the following organizations as providing the necessary education to fulfill its appraisal criteria.

a. American Society of Appraisers (ASA designation).
b. American Gem Society (CGA earned only through JEF valuation courses).
c. Appraisers Association of America (required NYU courses).
d. International Society of Appraisers (CAPP designation).
e. National Assn. of Jewelry Appraisers (CGJA designation).
f. Master Valuer Program (Registered Master Valuer diploma).
g. Lindenwood College (accredited Valuation Science degree).

APPRAISAL REVIEW PROCEDURE.

Problematic appraisals shall be submitted by JAG members to the Executive Director at JAG Headquarters. The Division Chairman shall receive each appraisal to be reviewed from the Executive Director. To ensure a fair review, the Division Chairman shall be responsible for the removal of the appraiser's name from both the review sheet and the appraisal copy. A minimum of three appraisers should be involved in any review.

APPRAISAL REVIEW GUIDELINES.

All appraisals submitted to the ARD shall be judged according to the Personal Property guidelines of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, as dictated by the Appraisal Foundation, acting upon the mandate of the United States Congress; and upon those jewelry appraisal standards commonly agreed upon and/or accepted by the majority of jewelry appraisal organizations. A corollary of this is that those standards held solely by one professional association (or even by one individual), shall not be accepted or used as a standard of judgement in review by the ARD until such criteria is generally accepted by the community of professional appraisers either in practice; or by their appraisal societies through incorporation into their guidelines.

APPRAISAL RESTRICTIONS UPON JAG MEMBERS.

A member of the Jewelers Advisory Group may not engage in the profession of appraising unless they have received and completed training in evaluation and valuation from a recognized educational institution and appraisal society (see above). Waivers will be granted to those who have completed evaluation courses and are in the process of taking appraisal courses. Waivers will not be granted to those taking evaluation courses unless they are also enrolled in a JAG recognized valuation course of study. However, JAG recognizes the right of member jewelers to provide, as a courtesy to their customer, a value for insurance purposes based upon the actual selling price of those very same items which they have sold to their clients as of the date upon which the sale transaction occurred.

JAG will actively contribute to and support industry guidelines, government legislation, and regulation of the jewelry appraisal profession. JAG will actively discourage any jeweler who has not attained proper education in evaluation and valuation from appraising. By the same token, JAG will encourage any jeweler to attain such education, and will make available to those jewelers who request it, information as to where this education may be acquired.

ARD RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BOARD.

The ARD shall actively consult and apprise the Board of Directors in all of its activities, and defer to their decisions. However, under no circumstances shall the Board interfere in the findings of the Division, nor seek to sway an outcome. The ARD shall also rely upon the other four Divisions for suggestions, referrals, advice, guidance and expertise.

In the event that the ARD encounters a defiant individual, or firm, intent upon deception despite the intervention of its good offices. The ARD must turn the matter over to the Board of Directors; along with their findings and recommendations. It is up to the JAG Board of Directors to determine what corrective course of action should be taken.

4. INDUSTRY STANDARDS DIVISION (ISD).

The purpose of the Industry Standards Division is to support, maintain and safeguard industry standards from abuse and/or degradation. It shall also encourage and assist the formation and adaptation of new or improved standards and/or requirements at all levels of the trade when and where necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES.

The function of the Industry Standards Division is three fold.

First of all, the ISD shall seek to raise, uplift, and maintain the qualitative, professional, and ethical standards of the trade through education, reason and dialogue. Where such standards are found wanting, violated or non existent; the ISD shall take corrective and constructive action. The ISD shall offer informed suggestions, and encourage constructive dialogue to improve or enforce existing industry standards. In instances where no standards exist, or lack codification; the ISD shall establish committees to research, review, recommend and promote acceptable, codified standards.

Secondly, it shall be the responsibility of the ISD, through the aid of its committees, to monitor and oversee the proper maintenance of standards in education, appraising, laboratory grading, gemstone grading, treatment disclosure, manufacturing, sales, advertising or any other area that falls within the parameters of the trade.

Thirdly, it shall be the responsibility of the ISD to encourage, promote, assist and support individual and academic research in the jewelry field. It shall also contribute to and encourage the gathering, forming, archiving and preservation of a complete and extensive copyright free body of knowledge. The ISD shall encourage that all contributions to this body of knowledge manifest a high standard of scholarship.

ISD RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BOARD.

The ISD shall actively consult and apprise the Board of Directors in all of its activities. However, under no circumstances shall the Board interfere in the findings of the Division, nor seek to sway an outcome. The ISD shall also rely upon the other four Divisions for suggestions, referrals, advice, guidance and expertise.

In instances where violators of industry standards show continued and determined resistance to requests for adherence to such standards; the ISD must turn the matter over to the Board of Directors; along with their findings and recommendations. It is up to the JAG Board of Directors to determine what corrective course of action should be taken.

INDUSTRY ACTION DIVISION (IAD).

The purpose of the Industry Action Division is to advance and implement JAG ideals and goals within and without the trade. It is the political arm of JAG.

RESPONSIBILITIES.

The function of the Industry Action Division is five fold.

First of all, it shall be the responsibility of the IAD to lobby and inform the Federal Trade Commission, and other government bodies that may enact laws or regulations affecting the jewelry industry. In this task, it shall work closely with and rely upon the guidance and advice of the Industry Standards Division.

Secondly, it shall be the responsibility of the IAD to develop, encourage, and promote the formation of individual JAG chapters on a local level. JAG believes that development of cooperation, communication, consensus and community among individual jewelers on a local level is the most effective remedy to the ills, fears, and misunderstandings that currently plague are industry. Open dialogue, understanding, association, and education are the greatest deterrents to the predatory deceptions and ignorance that threaten our customers, and our very existence.

Thirdly, the Industry Action Division should take upon itself the positive role of building consensus, cooperation, and an awareness of community on a national level as well. The IAD shall attempt to forge an industry wide awareness that when one of us is diminished, we are all diminished. Likewise, when one of us is raised, we are all raised. We exist in a common community whose survival and well being rests in each of our hands. Therefore our actions should be ethically responsible for they do not impact us alone.

Fourthly, the Industry Action Division shall work to foster dialogue and consensus amongst all members of the trade by either encouraging or promoting conferences, seminars and programs to educate the trade to prepare for new challenges and changes; to bring greater clarity and understanding to areas of disputes with the ultimate goal of fostering resolution; and to assist the trade in developing new skills for dealing with the demands of their business, their craft, their trade and fellow tradesmen, and their customer.

Finally, it shall be the responsibility of the IAD to work with, lobby, and inform the press; and to vigorously correct any misinformation they may postulate about the Jewelers Advisory Group, the jewelry industry in general, or any trade member in particular.

IAD RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BOARD.

The IAD shall actively consult and apprise the Board of Directors in all of its activities, and defer to their decisions in all matters unless instructed otherwise by the Board. The IAD shall also rely upon the other four Divisions for suggestions, referrals, advice, guidance and expertise.